Senior Programme Officer (Rural Transformation)

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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 Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the Region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the Region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the Region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The position is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Programme Officer (Rural Transformation) reports to the Deputy Regional Representative.

Technical Focus

Rural development and agrifood systems transformation; smallholder empowerment and access to resources; inclusive value chains; social and economic inclusion; rural communities access to social protection systems; youth employment; women's empowerment and gender equality; producer organizations and collective action; digital innovation, extension and advisory services; sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.

Key Results
Provides leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework and in alignment with the Organization's Gender Policy.

Key Functions

• Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams of assigned programmes/projects.
• Leads the preparation and/or review of Country Programming Framework (CPF) and its operationalization and workplans, as well as supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Coordinates programme/project formulation activities.
• Leads resource mobilization activities; establishes partnerships to explore funding opportunities, leads negotiations of funding agreements and project relationships with key stakeholders throughout the project cycle, including support to implementation; facilitates monitoring and compliance issues and ensures submission of reports.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties as well as drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within the country such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools.
• Monitors programme/project activities in the country.

Specific Functions

• Leads and facilitates the overall development and implementation of RNE's rural transformation agenda.
• Coordinates the identification of policy trends and implications, monitors and advocates on relevant policy issues for the strategic planning and implementation of RNE's rural and agrifood system transformation agenda.
• Coordinates the development of studies, methodologies, tools and approaches covering multidisciplinary aspects of rural and agrifood system transformation to generate evidence, inform policies, develop capacities and facilitate uptake.
• Leads the development of regional knowledge exchange platforms, communities of practice, thematic networks to promote inclusive rural transformation and foster collaboration and partnerships for wider impact.
• Contributes to the development of RNE's vision, strategy and programme development with specific focus on rural transformation and economic inclusion issues, and coordinates with leaders of other Regional Priorities and Technical Officers to ensure complementarities and leverage collective impact.
• Leads and coordinates RNE policy advice and technical support to promote policy dialogues, partnerships and resource mobilization on agriculture and rural development matters in the countries of the region.
• Acts as primary focal point for interactions with the coordinators of FAO Programme Priority Areas and technical units of relevance to the rural transformation agenda in headquarters and in the other regions and subregions and ensures that regional priorities are well reflected in corporate initiatives.
• Contributes to the organization of the Near East Regional Conference and other statutory and technical meetings organized by RNE from the perspective of rural transformation and its positioning within the regional development policy agenda.
• Provides advice and technical backstopping to project formulators, personnel and budget holders of FAO-funded projects during formulation and implementation.
• Manages and monitors budget, key deliverables, project results and main targets to ensure timely result-based delivery of RNE's Rural Transformation programme, and draws lessons for advancement and upscaling.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in an area related to the activities of the Organization, i.e. agriculture, forestry, fishery, economics, social science, business administration, political science or closely related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in project or programme management, including planning and both at national and international level.
• 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).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• Work experience in the Near East and North Africa is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the following fields: rural development and agrifood system transformation; smallholder empowerment and access to resources; inclusive value chains; social and economic inclusion; rural communities access to social protection systems; youth employment; women's empowerment and gender equality; producer organizations and collective action; digital innovation, extension and advisory services; sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of developing and managing country field programme from design to delivery (programme/project identification formulation, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation).
• Extent and relevance of experience in the management of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including the management of emergency, recovery and rehabilitation related programmes.
• Proven track record in resource mobilization.
• Extent and relevance of experience in and ability to negotiate with senior officials in national governments, inter-governmental organizations and other institutions and in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes.
• Familiarity with UN system-wide policies and processes applying to decentralized locations is desirable.

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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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