Project Officer (Food Systems)

The development of sustainable and inclusive food systems is emerging as one of the most effective areas for transformative change leading to sustainable development. As a multidimensional, and multisectoral approach, it requires integrated policy, and innovative institutional and governance arrangements, with the engagement of different institutional and non-governmental actors, and the mobilization of knowledge and resources. Inspired by the Norwegian government’s action plan for sustainable food systems, the FMM project “Governance innovation for sustainable development of food systems” aims at developing innovative approaches for more coherent governance and policy support, conducive to more comprehensive and scalable multisectoral actions across three main pillars\: sustainable food production, value creation and markets, and improved nutrition and diets. It will build on ongoing FAO and partner initiatives, knowledge and competencies, including innovative, agroecological, climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive practices and technologies. The Programme will adopt an open and transparent approach that focuses on evidence-based analysis of crucial intersectoral nexuses and trade-offs to enable more effective communication and collaboration among partners, and contribute to global reflections on how to enable and support food systems transformation. Within FAO, the Programme will be coordinated by the Policy and Governance Unit, and the Strategic Programme on Food Systems Transformation. The Governance and Policy Support (GaPS) Unit of the Economic and Social Development Department (ESD) holds corporate responsibility for maintaining and enhancing the quality of FAO’s role and work in governance and policy support. Integrating governance and political economy thinking into programme design is expected to identify entry points for enabling transformational change, as called for by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Governance innovations developed in the FMM programme, particularly the use of advanced data systems and analytics to support the comprehensive and integrated methodology pioneered under the FMM programme, is intended to help governments and their partners design or adjust programmes in ways that maximize their potential effectiveness. The Strategic Programme on Food Systems (SP4) supports governments and stakeholders in building inclusive, efficient and sustainable food systems through leadership-driven, market-based action and collaboration, informed by insights and innovation and in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Officer will coordinate the implementation of the Project, ensuring continuous technical and organizational support to the development of country based processes for replicable and scalable programmes in other countries, and to serve as exemplars to draw lessons in view of the UN Food System Summit to be held in 2021.

The Project Officer reports to the Senior Coordinator, Governance and Policy (ESD), in close coordination with the SP4 Strategic Programme Leader (in headquarter).

Provides leadership, guidance and operational support to the realization of for results-based policy and technical assistance, governance, capacity development towards more sustainable and inclusive food systems, including sustainable food production, improved access to markets, sustainable value chain development, and improved food security and nutrition in the focus countries selected by the project.

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties;

• Coordinates of programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;

• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;

• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;

• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;

• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;

• Provides advice on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

• Leads and coordinates the FMM subprogramme on Governance Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems to achieve results in line with the annual work plans and budget, as well as outputs and activities outlined in the project document;

• Organizes and facilitates regular meetings of the project task force, and the technical support group in headquarter;

• Coordinates technical support provided by the headquarter-based experts to field staff and other national stakeholders in the three countries;

• Advises and supports FAOR country offices and field staff in implementing the subprogramme;

• Supports the organization of fora and/or consultative workshops or other meetings and communication activities related to the programme activities;

• Facilitates engagement of internal and external stakeholders in the subprogramme;

• Consolidates annual project results and financial reports reported by each of the agencies for submission to the donor;

• Ensures consolidation and dissemination of lessons learned in the three focus countries, particularly in relation to the Food System Summit to be held in 2021.

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• Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable, or related field;

• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;

• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;

• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.