FAO Representative
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to leading international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security for all. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO assists governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to improve agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors, while promoting sustainable resource use. FAO Country Offices, led by FAO Representatives, implement field projects, support disaster response and rehabilitation, conduct public awareness campaigns, and serve as a vital channel for FAO's services to governments and partners.
Job Purpose
The FAO Representative (FAOR) is responsible for leading FAO's engagement with national priorities and sustainable development challenges to advance the 2030 Agenda and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The FAOR leads and manages the FAO Country Office, effectively representing FAO in the country of accreditation. This involves developing and enhancing collaboration with the host government and key stakeholders on development and humanitarian issues, and leading FAO's contributions to UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. The role requires providing leadership on food security and agriculture policy, coordinating emergency response preparedness, and ensuring effective program implementation and resource mobilization.
Responsibilities
The FAO Representative (FAOR) is accountable for managing the FAO country programme, office, resources, and staff, reporting to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative. Key responsibilities include representing and advocating for FAO's work with national authorities and stakeholders, developing and operationalizing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) derived from the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and leading FAO's contribution to UN common planning and programming frameworks. The FAOR is also tasked with building partnerships, mobilizing extrabudgetary resources, and ensuring effective programme implementation and monitoring. This includes overseeing projects, providing technical support, managing budgets, and reporting results. Furthermore, the FAOR leads and manages the Country Office, ensuring efficient use of human and financial resources, maintaining security and safety standards, promoting staff development, and implementing controls to mitigate operational and financial risks.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of relevant 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, encompassing both programmatic areas and fostering government relationships.
Skills
Essential skills include extensive and relevant experience in developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery, including programme/project identification, formulation, analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Demonstrated experience in coordinating and managing technical cooperation projects and programmes, including emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation initiatives, is crucial. Proven experience in resource mobilization and in negotiating and cooperating with national governments, intergovernmental organizations, and other institutions, as well as in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes, is also required. Proficiency (Level C) in Spanish and English is necessary.