Deputy Director, CSI Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division

• 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 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.

Organizational Setting

The Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division (CSI) is responsible for all Information Technology (IT) activities within the Organization.
CSI defines FAO IT policies, strategy, IT architecture and standards and is responsible for the provision of digital products and services utilized to deliver the mandate of the Organization and support its operations worldwide.
CSI manages and supports a set of corporate digital products and services which collectively comprise the FAO Digital Workplace utilized by personnel across the Organization worldwide to access and utilize Organizational digital resources and data in order to perform their work regardless of location or time zone in a secure manner.

The position is located in the Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division (CSI), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Deputy Director, CSI reports to the Director, CSI.

Summary of Duties and Functions
Under the overall guidance of the Director, CSI, the Deputy Director will assist the Director with strategic and operational delivery of the Digital Workplace Stream (Global Corporate IT Services). He/she will also support the Director in providing strategic, managerial and technical leadership for the work of the Division and facilitating the management of corporate, divisional and interdivisional activities. In particular, the incumbent responsibilities include:
• Lead day-to-day delivery and operations of FAO Digital Workplace (Global Corporate IT systems), applications and services (including ERP ecosystem, Business Efficiencies Applications, Platforms Services, Global Support Services, meetings/events and collaboration platforms, web platforms, digital ways of working).
• Lead portfolio of projects related to delivery of Corporate IT systems, including capital expenditure and ad-hoc modernization and digital transformation projects globally.
• Support the Director in exercising overall management responsibility and technical leadership for the Division, including strategic vision, planning, advice, quality control and implementation of the Division's programme of work as well as the cost.
• Effective use of financial and human resources (staff and non-staff).
• Advise the Director on IT strategies, governance and standards including their impact on the Organization's ability to deliver its programmes.
• Empower Unit Leaders with planning, managing and monitoring the results of their respective team in line with divisional results; provide budgetary oversight for initiatives/ongoing activities/projects delivery and foster cross-divisional work under the overall umbrella provided by the IT/Digital Strategy.
• Coordinate and promote communication and collaboration within and across units/teams and foster a work environment conducive to efficient results-based work.
• Ensure a fit-for-purpose organization, sourcing and value-for-money approach for delivering and operating Corporate IT services.
• Enable a motivated and effective workforce by ensuring the recruitment of highly qualified staff, mentoring, coaching and supporting career development and staff capacity development strategy.
• Enhance partnerships within FAO for collaborative work in the areas of work of the Division.
• Advocate and promote the work of the Division and the building of partnerships with international and national organizations, as well as the private sector, as appropriate.
• 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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in management or information technology management, as well as computer science, information systems, or information technology or related field.
• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in management and operational aspects of delivering information and communications technology (ICT) in large organizations (both technical and managerial experience).
• Extensive professional experience in delivering complex IT projects in global context.
• Extensive experience in globally decentralized organizations, including field support.
• Understanding of digital economy and digital transformation of agrifood systems and rural development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, and collaborate with specialists, in other related disciplines (e.g. IT infrastructure, software development, IT services, IT architecture, IT innovation and IT strategy).
• Demonstrated skills and experience in participatory strategic planning, managing results, and in providing budgetary oversight for programme delivery.
• Proven negotiation skills and diplomacy.
• Analytical skills and ability to express ideas and concepts clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Experience in managing large teams, including mentoring and staff development.
• Experience in working in fast-paced working environment with short deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Leadership Competencies
Results focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework

Leading, engaging and empowering others: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential

Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication

Partnering and Advocating: Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organization’s work

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others

Strategic thinking: Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for all and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• 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.

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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT