National Rural Development Specialist

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative and the Assistant FAO Representative in Georgia and under direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator; also in in close collaboration with the staff of FAO Representation and projects, under the direct technical supervision from the international consultant on rural development.

The technical focus of the assignment is focused on supporting the implementation of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021-2027 through increased competitiveness of agriculture and enhanced inclusiveness in rural development policies.

A second focus of the assignment, closely related to the above mentioned one, is related to the support to the local LIGs in the preparation of their Community Development Action Plans :

Responsibilities:

• Provide The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) and the respective relevant departments and agencies with technical advice and support regarding rural development issues
• Assist MEPA and MRDI to establish a Policy Working Group (PWG) on rural development and provide support in the preparation and implementation of PWG meetings
• Network with other projects, UNDP and other donors’ initiative on rural Development for the coordination of the RD ongoing activities in Georgia
• Collect data on existing rural development initiatives and activities in Georgia and analyse experiences from other countries with a specific focus on the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Pillar II and the measure of the EU Regional Development Policy supporting rural areas
• Oversee the implementation of the pilot initiatives promoted within the project and extract policy options for policy making
• Support the preparation of policy briefs and analysis providing empirical evidence for successful models of rural development
• Other duties as required

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• University Degree in Agroeconomy, Economy, Social Science or related field
• 5 years of relevant experience in rural development at the national or international level
• Working knowledge of English and Georgian
• National of Georgia

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Communication skills to facilitate dialogue within the MEPA, MRDI and amongst different ministries.
• Good technical skills and experience in Rural Development related aspects, including institution building
• Availability to work overtime when required

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402322