Director (FAO Investment Centre)

• 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.

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.

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

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia 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, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure, please visit the following link.

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

Reporting Lines
The Director (FAO Investment Centre) reports to the Deputy Director-General.

Summary of Duties and Functions
Under the policy guidance and the general supervision of the Deputy Director-General, and with considerable leeway permitted for the exercise of independent judgement, to plan, organize and manage the programme and staff of the Division, the Director (FAO Investment Centre) will:

• provide strategic vision, guidance and quality assurance for the Organization’s investment support work.
• coordinate the planning of the programme of work and ensure its technical quality and implementation through staff and non-staff resources, with the support of CFI Service Chiefs and Deputy Director.
• exercise overall management responsibility for the Division’s biennial Programme of Work and Budget, ensuring quality control, progress monitoring and reporting, in support of FAO’s Strategic Framework and in line with results-based management principles.
• ensure liaison and coordination with, and provide information, advice and support to FAO Member Nations, IFI partners, UN and its specialized agencies and other global, regional and national bodies, on the Division’s programme of work, technical support requirements, capacity development programme (both internal and external) and knowledge products.
• ensure the formulation, by CFI, of large and complex field projects and programmes, in cooperation with other divisions, departments, and the regional and sub-regional offices of the Organization, and develop and provide guidance and support to priority action programmes;
• advise the Deputy Director-General, and as necessary, other Divisions/Offices/Centres on areas related to the Division’s fields of competence.
• collaborate with member countries, IFI and other development partners, UN and its specialized agencies as well as the private sector in promoting public and private sector investments in food security, agriculture and rural development.
• represent the Organization in high-level meetings and other events dealing with issues relevant to the Division’s mandate and areas of work.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agriculture sciences, rural infrastructure engineering, environmental sciences, natural resources management, public services management, business administration, public policy or administration, or other closely related fields.
• Minimum fifteen years of extensive experience in the planning and management of agricultural and rural development projects and programmes in developing countries.
• Familiarity with the policies and procedures of the main international financing and other development
partners such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
• Proven intellectual, managerial and technical leadership of a high order in the relevant subject areas.
• 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