Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities in food security, agriculture, and rural development. The Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is responsible for implementing FAO strategies and projects in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. The Subregional Coordinator also serves as FAO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union (AU), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Job Purpose
The Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, reporting to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa, leads FAO's response to subregional priorities aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and regional priorities. This role involves leading multidisciplinary technical teams, representing FAO to the African Union and UNECA, and contributing to the RAF Core Leadership Team. The Coordinator is FAO’s focal point for food security, nutrition, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, natural resource management, climate change, and rural development issues in the subregion. They head a Subregional Multidisciplinary Team, support the delivery of RAF Programme Areas, and contribute to Country Programming Frameworks. The position also involves functional guidance to FAO Representatives in the subregion and promoting FAO’s support to national priorities.
Responsibilities
Oversee FAO strategic planning and programme development in the subregion, including leading analysis and dialogue on subregional priorities and developing strategies. Advise and collaborate with internal partners to ensure subregional needs are reflected in corporate and regional policies. Provide technical support to FAO components within UN frameworks (e.g., UNSDCF) and Country Programming Frameworks. Lead subregional mobilization of extrabudgetary resources. Support Member Nations in addressing food insecurity and hunger by collaborating with institutional partners. Coordinate and ensure timely implementation and technical backstopping for FAO programmes and projects. Undertake regular reporting and monitoring of subregional programmes. Lead subregional policy dialogues and facilitate access to FAO knowledge resources. Manage the Subregional Office, ensuring effective use of human and financial resources, and oversee security and safety of personnel. Promote initiatives under FAO's Corporate Environmental Policy. Establish and support partnerships with governments, donors, civil society, academia, and other organizations. Advocate FAO's policy positions, represent FAO in media, and implement a proactive communications strategy.
Work Experience
Minimum of twelve years of relevant professional experience in development issues and management, resource mobilization, with familiarity with international financial institutions and global funding envelopes. Extensive managerial and professional experience in fields related to FAO's mandate. Demonstrated professional competence, proven leadership capability, effective management skills, and strategic leadership in relevant subject areas and international settings. Extensive experience and competence in partnership building with various stakeholders including governments, international organizations, private sector, and civil society.
Skills
Proven leadership capability, effective management skills, and strategic leadership. Strong experience in partnership building with inter-governmental organizations, national governments, technical and donor partners, private sector, and civil society. Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects. Excellent communication and advocacy skills. Proficiency in English (Level C) and knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at an intermediate level (Level B).