Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) aims to achieve the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, supporting efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO's regional response, while the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, implements strategies and projects for agrifood system transformation. SFE covers Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. The Subregional Coordinator also serves as FAO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union (AU), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Job Purpose

The Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, reporting to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa, leads FAO's response to subregional priorities aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and Africa Regional Conference priorities. This role involves heading multidisciplinary technical teams, representing FAO to the African Union and UNECA, and contributing to the RAF Core Leadership Team. The Coordinator acts as FAO's focal point for food security, nutrition, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, natural resource management, climate change, and rural development issues in the subregion. They support the development of Country Programming Frameworks, foster collaboration with regional institutions and UN entities, and provide guidance to FAO Representatives within the subregion.

Responsibilities

The Subregional Coordinator is responsible for overseeing FAO's strategic planning and program development within the Eastern Africa subregion. This includes leading analysis and dialogue on subregional priorities, advising on corporate and regional policies, and ensuring timely technical support for UN common planning frameworks and Country Programming Frameworks. The role involves leading subregional resource mobilization efforts. In program implementation, the Coordinator supports Member Nations in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, coordinates project implementation with technical divisions, and ensures regular reporting and monitoring. They also lead knowledge management initiatives, facilitate access to FAO resources, and manage human and financial resources for the Subregional Office. This includes ensuring effective and efficient resource utilization, managing personnel security, and promoting environmental sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, the Coordinator is tasked with establishing and supporting partnerships with various stakeholders, advocating FAO's policy positions, representing FAO in media, and supporting UN joint communication efforts.

Work Experience

A minimum of twelve years of relevant professional experience is required, encompassing development issues, management, and resource mobilization. Familiarity with international financial institutions (IFIs) and global funding envelopes for agriculture and environment (e.g., GEF, Adaptation Fund) is important, as is experience with private sector or blended financial modalities. Experience in development or humanitarian-related issues, preferably with some years in Africa, is also necessary. Extensive managerial and professional experience within fields related to FAO's mandate is crucial, alongside demonstrated professional competence, leadership capability, effective management skills, and high-level intellectual and strategic leadership in relevant subject areas and international settings.

Skills

Proficiency in English (Level C) and a limited knowledge (Level B) of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) are required. Demonstrated professional competence, proven leadership capability, effective management skills, and high-level intellectual and strategic leadership in relevant subject areas and international settings are essential. Extensive experience and competence in establishing partnerships with inter-governmental organizations, national governments, technical and donor partners, the private sector, civil society organizations, youth and women organizations, and farmer associations are also critical.

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