FAO Representative in Botswana

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. With 195 Members, FAO operates in over 130 countries, assisting governments in developing policies and programs to enhance food security, reduce malnutrition, and promote sustainable use of natural resources. Country offices, led by FAO Representatives, play a crucial role in implementing FAO's mandate at the national level.

Job Purpose

The FAO Representative (FAOR) in Botswana leads FAO's engagement with national priorities and sustainable development challenges, advocating for actions to accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with FAO's Strategic Framework and Country Programming Framework (CPF). The FAOR is responsible for leading FAO's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs). Key responsibilities include successfully managing the FAO Country Office, effectively representing FAO to the host government and stakeholders, and fostering collaboration on development and humanitarian issues. This role involves advocating FAO's policy positions, leading emergency preparedness and response, developing and operationalizing the CPF, building partnerships, mobilizing resources, and ensuring effective programme implementation and monitoring.

Responsibilities

The FAOR is responsible for representing and advocating FAO's work to national authorities, partners, and stakeholders, including through media engagement and communication strategies. This includes advocating FAO's policy positions, facilitating access to FAO's knowledge resources, and providing leadership on food security and agriculture policy within the UN system. The FAOR leads emergency response preparedness and coordination at the country level. A core function is developing and operationalizing the CPF derived from the UNSDCF, which involves leading situation analysis, contributing to UN common planning frameworks, and liaising with national government authorities. The FAOR also builds and strengthens partnerships with governments, donors, civil society, and other organizations, and leads country-level resource mobilization efforts. Programme implementation and monitoring involve ensuring effective management and oversight of FAO programmes and projects, providing technical support, acting as budget holder, and reporting on results. Furthermore, the FAOR effectively manages the Country Office, its personnel, and financial resources, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, administrative procedures, and security regulations. This includes promoting staff development, implementing risk management controls, and upholding FAO's ethical standards.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of relevant experience is required in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of field programmes. 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. Experience in developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery, including project identification, formulation, analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, is crucial. Experience in coordinating and/or managing technical cooperation projects and programmes, including those related to emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation, is also necessary.

Skills

Key skills include strong leadership competencies such as results focus, ability to engage and empower others, effective communication, partnering and advocating, knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking. Technical/functional skills encompass extensive experience in developing and managing country field programmes, coordinating and managing technical cooperation projects, demonstrated resource mobilization capabilities, and experience in negotiating and cooperating with national governments and international organizations. Proficiency in English (Level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language are also essential.

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