Deputy Director (Operations), FAO Investment Centre (CFI)

Organizational Setting

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international financing institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre’s four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance.

CFI is a multidisciplinary Centre comprising the Director’s office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; East and Southern Africa; Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; and West and Central Africa.

The position is located in the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy Director (Operations) reports to the Director, FAO Investment Centre (CFI).

Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) and, as a member of the Management Team, the Deputy Director (Operations) will assist the Director in exercising overall management responsibility for the delivery of investment and finance support solutions to Members and investors with a focus on strategic vision, planning, quality control and implementation of the programme of work of the Centre. He or she will support in the management of the Centre, including work planning and implementation, partnership management, communications as well as in meeting corporate requirements on operational and administrative matters. In particular, he or she will:

• ·Support the Director in the strategic planning, development and implementation of the Centre’s programme of work in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, and the Centre’s Transformation Plan;
• ·Ensure effective linkages and collaboration between the work and staff of the Centre with that of the wider Organization, including Decentralized Offices and headquarters, in all relevant areas;
• ·Support the management of partnerships and liaise with senior counterparts in partner agencies for the planning of activities in accordance with strategic priorities in order to achieve the common goals;
• ·Support coordination and oversight of programmes and activities with International Financing Institutions (IFIs) and other cooperating partners;
• ·Coordinate specific knowledge management activities, promote communication and collaboration within and across units/teams, and foster a work environment conducive to achieving results and technical excellence, including events organized by the Centre;
• Support the management of human resources and budgetary matters;
• Coordinate the implementation of corporate activities to meet corporate requirements on Fraud Prevention Plans, Risk Management and Internal Controls;
• Contribute to FAO’s corporate initiatives on technical/thematic areas and administrative matters;
• Represent the Organization in internal and external meetings, and serve as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Director;
• Perform other duties as required.

For further information on the activities of the Centre, please consult:http://www.fao.org/support-to-investment/en/

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, agriculture sciences, rural infrastructure engineering, environmental sciences, natural resources management, public management, business administration, public policy and administration or other closely related fields;
• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing sector studies and reviews, policy and strategy development, identification, formulation, implementation support and evaluation of investment projects and programmes in developing and/or transition countries, including knowledge of policies of major IFIs and other development partners;
• Minimum three years of experience in management/leadership including management of teams, partnerships, and programmes;
• Extensive professional experience in delivering investment and finance support solutions in a global context;
• Proven negotiation skills and diplomacy;
• Analytical skills and ability to express ideas and concepts clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Experience in working in a fast-paced working environment with short deadlines;
• Knowledge of programmes and activities of major development partners, including IFIs;
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).