Senior Programme Officer

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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.

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 Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with Divisions/Offices/Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The post is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Programme Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Technical Focus
Support the Regional Office with particular focus on programme development, resource mobilization and programme implementation.

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 work plans and the 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 to support 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 and 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, on-line tools.
• Monitors programme/project activities in the country.

Specific Functions
• Coordinates the identification of policy implications and monitors relevant policy environment issues for the implementation of FAO’s agricultural disaster preparedness, response, transition and development strategies.
• Leads national policy dialogue and aid coordination mechanisms on food security, agriculture and rural development matters through preparation and participation in relevant technical working groups and other meetings.
• Leads the preparation of annual reports and relevant documentation.
• Advocates for the interests of the agricultural sector, ensuring it is accorded due priority on the agenda of the host government, donors and other development partners.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial reports, etc.).
• Provides advice to project formulators and budget holders of FAO-funded projects during formulation and implementation.
• Monitors key deliverables, project results and main targets to ensure timely, results-based deliverables of FAO projects and programmes in the country.

Ensure targeted and effective representation and positioning of RLC Office:
• Develops and maintains relations with government representatives, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations and non-governmental organizations for discussions to reach consensus and make decisions on FAO priorities; supports main stakeholders’ programming and institutional liaison.
• Coordinates inputs for reports and other sensitive and confidential communication regarding government decisions, provides assistance and support to other substantive matters with relevant national and international stakeholders.
• Leads to the development and adaptation of corporate communication and information strategies to the region/subregion to strengthen the position and relationships with the media and targeted audiences.
• Provides strategic guidance to ensure adherence to policies and FAO procedures and its Strategic Framework.

Resource Mobilization:
• Develops and maintains a resource mobilization strategy taking into account the RLC’s current one and adapting it to broaden the donor portfolio and investment initiatives.
• Coordinates with regional, subregional and national officers and consultants in order to keep a strong resource mobilization team to implement the strategy.
• Advises the ADG/RR on actions that should be taken in order to improve the resources mobilization at different levels (structural, technical and operative) and implements the decisions taken in consultation with the Regional Leadership Team and in coordination with the others FAO units in the region.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree 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 experience in project or programme design and management, including planning both at national and international levels, interacting with social partners, governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society and the private sector.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – 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.
• 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.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Spanish 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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• 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

• 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/
• 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.

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