South-South Cooperation Officer

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines

The South-South Cooperation Officer reports to the Senior Programme Officer, RLC.

Technical Focus

•          Support the promotion of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in RLC, with particular focus on governmental institutions in support of the FAO mandate and Strategic Framework 2021-2030.
•          Provides policy support, knowledge sharing and good practices on transformative SSTC within the region.
•          Monitors SSTC-related programmes and activities in the region at all levels and reports to key internal and external stakeholders on the results.

Key Results

Support the operational effectiveness and implementation of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation, in line with FAO's Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Supports country-level actions guided by FAO's Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), subregional and regional priority frameworks and higher-level strategic frameworks of the Organization in order to transform FAO's knowledge products into country-level results and impacts.

• Provides technical assistance and participate in negotiations with governments, partners, FAO units and programmes in the development, expansion and effective use of SSC initiatives.

• Provides assistance to FAO Representatives and regional organizations for the identification of SSC initiatives to support Country Programme Framework (CPF) and regional strategies; participate in the SSC formulation process (identification and appraisal).

• Contributes to implementation in coordination and consultation with the staff in the region.

• Participates in building partnerships with relevant stakeholders and resources mobilization in support of SSC.

• Contributes to the development of a dynamic and results-based M-E system and SSC communication strategy.

• Prepares analytical reports and provides information to management, collaborating countries and partners on the achievements of SSC and lessons learned.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Produces regular briefs and other documents explaining donor policies/trends and alerts senior management on major donor issues and recommendations on ways to improve FAO's South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) at local/regional levels.

• Supports the coordination of meetings and ensures effective coordination with relevant HQ Divisions particularly with the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) as well as other relevant Division, Offices and Centres

• Provides support to the Country Offices on reporting on SSTC within Country Annual Reporting (CAR) process to improve the quality, consistency and visibility of SSTC across the region.

• Regularly monitors existing SSTC agreements, initiatives and partnerships at regional and national levels and provides comprehensive reports to senior management.

• Explores new strategic SSTC opportunities and partners with the aim to support country-level actions guided by FAO's Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), subregional and regional priority frameworks and higher-level strategic frameworks.

• Assists in the analysis of existing internal policies and processes on SSTC and proposes improvements.

• Supports the review of the quality, consistency and appropriateness of SSTC materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners.

• Provides support to staff in Decentralized Offices on the use of corporate requirements related to SSTC.

• Assists in developing tools for capacity building and sharing experiences among staff at the Regional Office and Decentralized Offices to strengthen FAO's capacity to develop and implement SSTC programmes and activities.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agricultural, economics, social sciences or closely related fields.

• Three years of relevant experience in agriculture and rural development, including experience in programme/project formulation/implementation, planning, partnership, policy development, capacity building, resource mobilization and monitoring and evaluation, including international experience.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language of the Organization (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 is desirable.

• Extent of experience in agricultural development related to south-south cooperation, partnership, capacity development, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation programmes.

• Extent of knowledge and experience in the region and extent and relevance of experience with project formulation/implementation, resource mobilization and monitoring and evaluation.

• Extent of familiarity with food security issues relevant to developing countries.

• Ability to effectively plan and organize work and respond promptly.

• Good communication skills, both oral and in writing.

• Demonstrated ability to analyse food security related issues and prepare analytical reports.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Spanish is a strong asset.