Director, Office of Innovation

1H011H01

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Office of Innovation (OIN) provides strategic direction and helps drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization by consolidating and strengthening FAO's innovative spirit, including innovation of approach and cooperation models. The Office identifies, strengthens and complements priority areas for collective action; ensures that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes; facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units; and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Director of the Office of Innovation (OIN) reports to the Chief Scientist of FAO.

Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the policy guidance and general supervision of the Chief Scientist, the Director will provide strategic vision and direction to all activities of the Office. In particular, the incumbent will:

• Support the scaling up of innovative work across the Organization, including mechanisms to promote and incentivize innovations, and support the implementation of the Science and Innovation Strategy;
• Oversee and provide guidance to the Office teams, including on promoting science and innovation within FAO, identifying and promoting cutting-edge technologies, supporting promotion and extension, and putting in place appropriate enablers for innovations;
• Provide leadership on broad range innovations, including technological, social, policy, financial, and institutional innovations;
• Manage the provision of technical and policy support in the promotion of innovative approaches and the identification of synergies and trade-offs for innovative policy assistance to countries;
• Actively promote the application of innovative approaches in programme and project management and resource mobilization efforts;
• Actively contribute to strengthening partnerships and engage with the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and research centres;
• Collaborate with innovation centres of other relevant international organizations and with FAO’s innovation teams at headquarters and Decentralized Offices;
• Exercise overall management responsibility, including planning, for the Office’s programme of work, ensuring quality control, progress monitoring and reporting as well as cost-effective use of financial and human resources, in the context of the FAO Strategic Framework and the Medium Term Plan, as per results-based management principles;
• Maintain a motivated and effective workforce by ensuring recruitment of highly qualified staff, by mentoring, coaching and supporting career development of staff, and by implementing effective approaches for performance management;
• Effectively contribute to supporting FAO’s corporate resource mobilization strategy;
• Represent the Organization at high-level meetings and other events relevant to the Office’s field of competence;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent is desirable) in strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation or other related fields;
• Demonstrated management and strategic leadership skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of food security, agriculture, rural development and innovation;
• Demonstrated experience in research and development policy;
• Demonstrated experience in the investment of innovation and sciences in agrifood systems and technologies;
• Minimum fifteen years of relevant experience in innovation management within public or private sector;
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international UN setting;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate- level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).