Organizational Setting

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by FAO Representatives (FAORs), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Specific activities of the Country Offices include: 

• Implementing FAO's field projects and participating in the development of the Field Programme by identifying and formulating new projects and liaising with local donor representations. 
• Helping governments to prevent and assess the damage of disasters and assisting them in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the agricultural sector. 
• Carrying out public awareness activities and support important FAO campaigns such as the World Food Day (WFD). 
• Providing assistance to technical and investment missions from FAO headquarters and from Regional or Subregional Offices to the country. 
• Serving as a channel for FAO's services to governments and other partners (donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), research institutions, etc.). 
• Keeping FAO informed of major social and economic developments in the country and monitoring the situation of the agriculture sector in the country. 
• Acting as FAO Representative to host governments and all partners involved in FAO activities.

The position is located in Port Sudan, Sudan.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy FAO Representative leads the Programme Management Unit in the Representation and is responsible for the overall programme implementation, including providing guidance and oversight of the administration and operations units, and day to day coordination and monitoring of programme development, resource mobilization and reporting.

The Deputy FAO Representative reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) with the functional guidance from the Senior Field Programme Officer and the Programme Officer (FAOR Network) in the Regional Office. He/she collaborates with the relevant technical units and at headquarters, the relevant Government Institutions, UN Agencies and other development partners.

Technical Focus

Planning, organizing, coordinating and reporting to the FAO Representative on programme development, implementation and monitoring, resources mobilization as well as office management in line with FAO rules, regulations and procedures.

Key Results

Leadership and technical expertise in coordinating the planning, implementation of the programme (CPF) and reporting focusing on key results in line with the results matrix of the CPF.

Key Functions

•          Represents FAO and liaises with senior government officials, UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners and beneficiaries on country programme implementation and delivery.

•          Coordinates the identification of policy implications and monitors relevant policy environment issues for the implementation of FAO's agricultural disaster-preparedness, response, transition and development strategies.

•          Promotes effective integration of developmental and emergency-relief and rehabilitation programmes into a comprehensive country programme.

•          Facilitates and supports the development of (i) the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF) and (ii) FAO's contributions to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) as well as (iii) the FAO country field programme from design through delivery, ensuring their alignment with the country's development priorities, FAO's Strategic Framework and with the technical assistance programming of the UN system and of other development partners and recipients.

•          Provides leadership in developing and introducing risk reduction policies and practices in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in disaster-prone countries.

•          Coordinates timely needs assessments for effective livelihood responses to food security crises in the case of natural or human-induced disasters, including participation in food security cluster.

•          Develops and promotes resource mobilization strategy for the country and contributes to fund mobilization efforts through liaison with the donor community in the country.

•          Coordinates the preparation of briefs and comprehensive reports on FAO priorities and field programme in the country and ensures the timely dissemination of information to the Government, donor community, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

•          Facilitates the effective collection and dissemination of information, in the framework of the knowledge management activities of the Organization and contributes to the development and delivery of effective communication, advocacy and partnership strategies.

•          Leads and/or manages the Country Office's human and financial resources, including the implementation of field security and safety policies for staff.

•          Performs other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

·         Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in an area related to the activities of the Organization, e.g. agriculture, forestry, fishery, rural development, etc.

·         Seven years of relevant experience in planning, formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of field programmes.

·         Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

·         Results Focus

·         Teamwork

·         Communication

·         Building Effective Relationships

·         Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

 

Technical/Functional Skills

·         Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

·         Extent and relevance of experience in developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery programme/project identification, formulation, analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

·         Extent and relevance of experience in the coordination and/or management of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including emergency, recovery and rehabilitation related programmes.

·         Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization.

·         Extent and relevance of experience in negotiating and cooperating with national governments, inter-governmental organizations and other institutions and in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes.

·         Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).