Subregional Coordinator

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security for all and leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems globally. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) oversees FAO's response to regional priorities, managing a network of offices, including the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in Bridgetown, Barbados. This role is situated within the SLC.

Job Purpose

The Subregional Coordinator (SRC) for the Caribbean leads multidisciplinary technical teams, directing FAO's response to subregional priorities aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework. The SRC represents FAO in the host country and other subregional nations without representation, promoting FAO's support for national priorities. This role involves contributing to Country Programming Frameworks, fostering collaboration with subregional organizations, UN entities, and other institutions. The SRC also acts as an accountable member of the regional UN Development Group team, supporting the FAO Regional Representative.

Responsibilities

The Subregional Coordinator is responsible for overseeing FAO's strategic planning and programme development within the subregion, including leading analysis, dialogue, and strategy development. This includes advising partners on subregional needs, ensuring technical support for UN frameworks and Country Programming Frameworks, and leading extrabudgetary resource mobilization. The SRC will support Member Nations in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, coordinate programme implementation and technical backstopping, and conduct regular monitoring and reporting. Additionally, the role involves leading subregional policy dialogues, facilitating access to FAO knowledge resources, and managing the Subregional Office's human and financial resources efficiently. The SRC is also responsible for personnel safety and security, promoting environmental sustainability initiatives, and building partnerships with diverse stakeholders, while advocating FAO's positions and implementing a proactive communications strategy.

Work Experience

A minimum of twelve years of relevant experience in programme development and management in fields related to FAO's mandate, including international experience, is required. Extensive experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with inter-governmental organizations, national governments, technical and donor partners, the private sector, civil society, and other relevant organizations is essential. The ability to lead and work effectively within a diverse, international team is also crucial.

Skills

Proven leadership and effective management skills are essential. Strong professional competence is required. The ability to lead and work effectively with diverse teams from different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting is crucial. Working knowledge of English (Level C) and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is necessary. Key competencies include results focus, leading and empowering others, communication, partnering and advocating, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, and strategic thinking.

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