Organizational Setting

FAO and the Office of Innovation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The Office of Innovation (OIN) has a mission to support and strengthen agrifood innovation systems of the Member countries. OIN is also an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic directions and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e., to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The MAINSTREAM Project

The MAINSTREAM project is managed by the FAO Office of Innovation (OIN) in close collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF), and subregional and country offices in Senegal, Zimbabwe and Kenya. 
The project strengthens capacities for mission-oriented agrifood innovation systems (MAIS) in sub-Saharan Africa to deploy and scale gender-responsive and transformative innovations for sustainability transition through agroecology through interlinked activities at national, regional and global levels.
In Zimbabwe the project will be implemented in accordance with the signed FAO-Government obligation agreement. The Regional Hub coordinator will cooperate closely with the National Project Coordinator (NPC), appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative or Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes, the direct technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and the direct technical and operational day-to-day guidance of the Project Coordinator (PC)  at Lead technical Unit (LTU) in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO in Rome, and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) at the Ministry of Agriculture, and project staff in OIN (project implementation unit) and the country and in other implementing countries of the project.  

Technical Focus

The Hub Coordinator orchestrates regional innovation ecosystem development for agroecological transitions, combining project management with ecosystem facilitation. The incumbent coordinates Partner Hub Organizations, ensures alignment between country and regional activities, and builds networks among innovation actors including research institutions, development partners, private sector, and community-driven initiatives.
She/he will work closely with the national counterpart and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the project's successful delivery.

Tasks and responsibilities

Project Management and Coordination

•     Plan and implement Inception Phase activities (assessments, launching events, stakeholder engagement)
•     Develop work plans and budgets (under the supervision of the Budget Holder) ensuring timely delivery of milestones
•     Coordinate Partner Hub Organizations through regular meetings and annual workshops
•     Prepare project documentation and reports for FAO management and donors
•     Support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning system implementation
•     Draft Terms of Reference and manage affiliate personnel and service providers.

Technical Leadership

•     Ensure quality and methodological compliance of Innovation Policy Labs and national roadmap processes
•     Support agricultural innovation system (AIS) for agroecology transition assessments, and data collection in Zimbabwe
•     Co-design and market the four hub services (ENVISION, EMPOWER, UNLOCK, ACCELERATE)
•     Oversee development of regional innovation portfolios for agroecological transitions
•     Support training programs for innovation facilitators and the Community of Practice.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

•     Build relationships with government, civil society, private sector, and community organizations
•     Organize multi-stakeholder platforms and Policy Innovation Challenges
•     Facilitate engagement with EU Delegations, DeSIRA implementers, and development partners
•     Coordinate with regional, continental and international organizations (ex: SADC, EALA, COMESA ASARECA, CCADERSA, CGIAR, Agroecology coalition, PELUM Association, FARA, RUFORUM)
•     Organize and participate in project workshops, assessments, and roadmap discussions in Zimbabwe.

Knowledge Management and Outreach

•     Coordinate the technical development of regional hub guidebooks, documenting services and lessons learned
•     Support the preparation of outreach materials and knowledge products with technical inputs (news briefs, policy briefs, publications)
•     Contribute to regional technical content for the TAPipedia platform and AIS country Dashboard
•     Liaise with other subregional coordinators to exchange information and lessons learned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO (at least MSc) in agricultural innovation systems, rural development, agroecology, agricultural economics, development studies, innovation management, agricultural extension/education, other related social sciences; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•     At least five years of proven experience in: project management in international context; facilitation and coordination of multistakeholder innovation processes including interacting with policy- and decision makers at various levels; Working with regional-level programs or networks; Capacity development and training delivery
•     Full proficiency of English is mandatory

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

•     Innovation scaling approaches and ecosystem-based strategies
•     Agroecological transitions or sustainable agriculture
•     Policy engagement and institutional development
•     Participatory co-creation methodologies
•     Partnership building, facilitation and stakeholder management
•     Knowledge brokerage and networking
•     Experience with monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems
•     Demonstrated experience working in sub-Saharan Africa
•     Familiarity with and knowledge of agricultural innovation systems and agroecology in the sub-region
•     Experience working with FAO is an asset
•     Knowledge of regional languages is considered an asset
•     French working knowledge is highly desirable