Coordinator (Governance And Policy Support)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

The Governance Unit (DDCGD) provides overall corporate leadership in the technical area of Governance analysis, and leads the Complements (Governance, Institutions and Human Capital) Accelerator in the new Strategic Framework.

The unit coordinates technical networks in governance and policy support, and curates the FAO Governance and Policy Gateway, a searchable, continuously updated Internet portal providing comprehensive external access to the whole of FAO policy resources.

FAO is actively engaging in UN country level repositioning for SDG achievement, participating in the negotiation and formulation, as well as in the annual updates, of Common Country Assessments (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF).

In this context, FAO, under the technical leadership of the Economic and Social Development stream and in close coordination with all headquarters technical units and decentralized offices, is implementing FAO's Analytical Support Mechanism for Agrifood System Country Programming and Evidence (SCOPE), a mechanism for scaling up the needed human resource analytical and technical expertise in support of the CCA/UNSDCF process at country level. The effort draws upon FAO's specialized tools and analytical methodologies, including sectoral, to propose specific solutions tailored to the country needs and potentials, to ensure a robust UNSDCF Theory of Change that positions FAO as the premier agrifood systems player in the UN system. SCOPE has demonstrated value in bridging FAO's technical expertise with the UN integrated programming approach in the pilot phase of 2024-2025. As we move into the consolidation phase in the biennium 2026-2027, SCOPE is well positioned to serve as a catalyst for decentralizing analytical capacities. This transition represents a critical opportunity to further institutionalize evidence-based approaches within FAO's programming and policy dialogue, enhancing organizational relevance and impact within the UN development system.

The position is located in the Governance Unit (DDCGD) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Coordinator (Governance And Policy Support) reports to the Chief Economist.

Technical Focus

Coordination of cross-organizational corporate undertakings to improve the quality and impact of economic social policy, and support for governance analysis in areas of FAO mandates, and development of corporate technical and applied analysis of governance issues.

Key Results

Develops, implements and evaluates effective leadership and management of major projects and teams in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective action; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up action;
• Performs specific assignments by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan that the client will use to manage the change;
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources;
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
• Generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications;
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documents and presentations;
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).

Specific Functions

• Implements the strategic vision of SCOPE, drawing on the relevant areas of FAO’s multidisciplinary technical competence, jointly with the headquarters’ technical unit across different streams.
• Provides technical guidance and backstopping on analyses, approaches, methodologies, tools, databases, as well as outputs to be produced by the specialists.
• Develops and conceptualizes the outputs for SCOPE, including Levels 1, 2 and 3 analyses, building on contributions from the Data Platform and other headquarters state-of-the-art tools.
• Ensures coherence and complementarity between the outputs that are created, and conducts quality control over the content and implementation of all outputs produced by the specialists (i.e. situation analyses, data platform, country studies and deep dives, translation of recommendations to regional and country levels, etc.).
• Documents innovative approaches in global scientific research papers.
• Formalizes coordination structures involving headquarters and decentralized offices.
• Monitors, reports on, and ensures the cost-effective use of human and financial resources.
• Coordinates events and workshops aimed at fostering internal alignment, organizational development, and individual learning.
• Represents SCOPE towards strategic partners and stakeholders and facilitates successful working relationships.
• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices, and increases policy dialogue from SCOPE.
• Provides technical expertise at international meetings and global events. Ensures an effective “One FAO” approach by supporting collaboration across headquarters units and regional and country technical teams; across regions for sharing successes and challenges; and with other partners inside and outside the Organization.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Agriculture, International or Business Administration, Law, International Development and any other discipline strongly related to the work of the Organization.
• Seven years of relevant professional experience project or programme management, administration as well as development cooperation, partnership and/or policy development including in a large multidisciplinary national or international organization.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme coordination.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting a corporate/divisional level executive management within an intergovernmental organization.
• Knowledge of results-based management methods and experience in their application.
• Extent and relevance of experience in governance and policy analysis, including, global issues, institutions and governance processes relevant to food security and nutrition.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and conduct governance and policy analysis and programme development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in trade/finance/investment issues, including issues of international trade, market regulation and structure would be an asset.
• Extent and relevance of academic qualifications.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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