Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)

Organizational Setting

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 representatives.
•     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 the FAO Representation in Tonga based in Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu.

Reporting Lines

The Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) reports to the Subregional Coordinator, Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SRC, SAP), who also serves as the FAO Representative in Tonga.

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on knowledge of local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

•     Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at interagency meetings as required.
•     Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.
•     Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
•     Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks, such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
•     Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals; monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
•     Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
•     Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

•     Leads the Programme Unit and oversees the implementation of projects and programmes to ensure that FAO's initiatives in the country achieve their targeted outcomes.
•     Participates in formulating and implementing the national Resource Mobilization Strategy, supports fundraising through engagement with local donors, and provides support in design of new project proposals as required.
•     Strengthens collaboration with private sector partners, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to expand partnership and cooperation opportunities.
•     Promotes and supports the integration of gender perspectives throughout the programme cycle, ensuring gender equality is embedded from project planning to completion. 
•     Offers policy and technical advice to government counterparts on agricultural development and food systems strategies when needed.
•     Provides guidance on reporting, documentation, and compliance with FAO procedures to programme staff and contribute to capacity building.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     National of the country of assignment.
•     Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, business administration and management, international relations or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
•     Three years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.

'OR'

•     A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, business administration and management, international relations or any other field related to the work of the Organization
•     Five years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.
•     Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Tongan.

Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building effective relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.
•     Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.