FAO Representative in India

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security for all and ensuring access to quality food for active, healthy lives. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO Country Offices, led by FAO Representatives, assist governments in developing policies and programs to enhance food security, reduce malnutrition, and promote sustainable use of agricultural, fishery, and forestry resources. The FAO Representation in New Delhi, India, plays a key role in these efforts.

Job Purpose

The FAO Representative (FAOR) in India is responsible for leading FAO's engagement with national priorities and sustainable development challenges, advancing the 2030 Agenda and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This role involves leading and managing the FAO Country Office, effectively representing FAO to the host government and stakeholders, and fostering collaboration on development and humanitarian issues. The FAOR will develop and operationalize the Country Programming Framework (CPF) aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), analyze the country situation, and contribute to UN common planning processes. Additionally, the FAOR will lead resource mobilization efforts, oversee program implementation and monitoring, and ensure the effective and efficient management of office resources, personnel, and security.

Responsibilities

The FAO Representative (FAOR) is accountable for the FAO country programme, office, resources, and staff, reporting to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative. Key functions include representing and advocating for FAO's work with national authorities and stakeholders, developing and implementing a proactive communications strategy, and providing leadership on food security and agriculture policy within the UN system. The FAOR leads emergency preparedness and response coordination. A critical responsibility is developing and operationalizing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) in alignment with the UNSDCF, including leading situation analysis and contributing to UN common planning frameworks. The FAOR also builds partnerships, mobilizes extrabudgetary resources, and ensures effective programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Furthermore, the FAOR manages the Country Office, ensuring efficient use of human and financial resources, maintaining security, upholding ethical standards, promoting staff development, and implementing risk management and fraud control plans.

Work Experience

A minimum of twelve years of relevant professional experience is required, specifically in the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of field programmes. Experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential. This includes experience in programmatic areas and fostering government relationships. Demonstrated experience in developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery, coordinating technical cooperation projects, and managing emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation programmes is also crucial. Experience in resource mobilization and in negotiating with national governments and international institutions is required.

Skills

Key skills include strong leadership, results focus, and the ability to engage and empower others. Excellent communication and partnering abilities are essential for advocating FAO's positions and developing partnerships. Continuous learning and strategic thinking are vital for informed decision-making. Technical skills encompass extensive experience in developing and managing country field programmes, coordinating technical cooperation projects, and resource mobilization. Proficiency in negotiating and cooperating with national governments and international institutions, along with experience in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes, is also required. Working knowledge of English and at least one other FAO official language is necessary.

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