Programme Officer

Organizational Setting
The Office of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) (OSL) coordinates activities to address and meet the special needs of these vulnerable populations and countries by strengthening inter-sectoral coordination and policy planning processes, facilitating experience sharing and cooperation in the design of high-impact programmes.

The position is located in the Office of SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs (OSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Director, OSL.

Technical Focus
Programme strategy and support; agriculture and food policy analysis, establishment of partnerships; coordination and planning with headquarters and Decentralized Offices; engagement and liaison with FAO partners.

Key Results
Develops, implements and evaluates effective leadership and management of major projects and teams in accordance with Divisional/Office objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective action; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions;
• Performs specific assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change;
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources;
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
• Generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings and conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).

Specific Functions
• Leads the development of corporate workflows and processes, in consultation with other relevant FAO divisions/offices, to facilitate implementation of programmes and projects in the countries concerned; 
• Coordinates the development and design of complex programmes/projects at country, interregional and/or regional levels;
• Engages with external actors and partners, including Members, the private sector, UN System partners and others to support the Office through, inter alia, resource mobilization and/or complementary interventions;
• Liaises with FAO centres/divisions/offices to ensure corporate data align to best support evidence-based country-led and country-owned programme design and policy solutions in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs;
• Provides analyses and recommendations to the Director, OSL and other FAO senior management on options for policies, strategies and programmes that will contribute to achieving corporate objectives;
• Coordinates regional technical teams engaged in macro and micro economic and policy analysis related to SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs;
• Leads the development of programmes, including investment plans, related to SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs; and
• Supports the operationalization, coordination and functioning of the Ministerial network for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs.

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, statistics or a related field; 
• Seven years of relevant experience in policy analysis and assistance related to agrifood systems transformation, as well as in the development and use of results-based management and monitoring systems; and
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
•    Results Focus
•    Team Work
•    Communication
•    Building effective relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysis of information, data and statistics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agrifood systems transformation, etc.
• Extent of knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods and advanced innovative technological applications and tools for agriculture and food policy analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to process complex data and analyse information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments and input to national and international fora.
• Extent of experience in making links with policies on, among others, agriculture, climate change, poverty, trade and markets.
• Extent and relevance of experience in institutional collaboration and partnership with UN agencies, governments, private sector, international financial institutions (IFIs), and other regional, national and local institutions, agencies and partners.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the development and design of programmes/projects and in the management of programmes/projects, including the delivery of complex programmes/projects at country, interregional and/or regional levels.
• In-depth knowledge of administrative, operational, fiduciary and financial procedures related to programme and project management is considered a strong asset.
• Understanding of FAO policies, strategies and flagship programmes, is considered a strong asset.
• Extent of experience working in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs.
• Demonstrated political judgement in an international environment, including strong communication and negotiation skills, maturity, tact and diplomacy.
• PhD in economics, agricultural economics, statistics or a related field, is considered a strong asset.