FAO Representative in Turkmenistan

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to defeating hunger and promoting sustainable agrifood systems globally. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO assists governments in developing policies and programs to achieve food security, reduce malnutrition, and manage natural resources sustainably. Country offices, led by FAO Representatives, align activities with national priorities and frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, ensuring efficient operations and effective resource management to support agrifood systems transformation.

Job Purpose

The FAO Representative (FAOR) leads FAO's engagement in Turkmenistan, aligning national priorities with the 2030 Agenda and FAO's Strategic Framework. The role involves advocating for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developing and implementing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) in coordination with national stakeholders and the UN Country Team, and ensuring FAO's contributions to UN joint planning processes. The FAOR is responsible for representing FAO, fostering collaboration with the host government and partners, mobilizing resources, and overseeing effective program implementation and office management to achieve FAO's mandate and objectives.

Responsibilities

The FAOR is responsible for representing FAO and advocating its policy positions to national authorities, partners, and the public, while supporting UN joint communication efforts. This includes providing leadership on food security and agriculture policy, coordinating emergency preparedness and response, and facilitating access to FAO's knowledge resources. The role involves developing and operationalizing the CPF and Country Work Plan, analyzing the country situation, and contributing to UN common planning frameworks. Building partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society is crucial for resource mobilization. The FAOR ensures effective program implementation and monitoring, manages office resources efficiently, oversees staff safety and development, and promotes adherence to FAO's ethical standards and policies, including environmental sustainability initiatives.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of relevant experience is required in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of field programs. Experience in more than one work location or area, particularly in field positions, is essential. This includes experience in programmatic areas and fostering government relationships, developing and managing country field programs from design to delivery, and coordinating/managing technical cooperation projects, including those related to emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation.

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 work and building collaborations. Continuous learning and strategic thinking are vital for adapting to country-specific challenges. Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, negotiating with national governments and institutions, and designing collaborative networks is required. Experience in managing country field programs and technical cooperation projects, including emergency and rehabilitation efforts, is crucial. Intermediate knowledge of Russian is desirable.

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