Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) 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 Divisions, Centres and Offices at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.
The Rural Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains (RP1) is one of four main regional priorities within the Regional Office. The programme focuses on enhancing productivity and income of small-scale farmers, focusing on youth employment and women empowerment, and the development of inclusive value chains. It adopts an integrated approach focusing on boosting agricultural productivity, the promotion of decent rural employment and an inclusive economic growth that benefits farming communities in the region.
To support this work, the Regional Office is looking for qualified specialists in rural development, with expertise on one or more of the following thematic areas: rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.
Reporting Lines
The Rural Transformation Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Lead of RP1 on Rural Transformation in collaboration with relevant technical colleagues in the Regional Office and HQ Technical Divisions including the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP) division.ย
Technical Focusย
The position entails support to the implementation of the RP1 programme of work in the NENA region as well as relevant field projects related to the thematic areas of rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Contribute to programme development and design of relevant activities at regional and country levels including the development of relevant project documents, workplans and concept notes
โข ย ย Conduct, review or contribute to research, data analysis and writing of regional technical publications and knowledge products such as fact sheets, reports and policy briefs
โข ย ย Organize or support the implementation and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences including the drafting of relevant documents (concept notes, workshop reports, background documents, etc.)
โข ย ย Liaise with responsible officers and country teams and provide technical support to related activities and programmes at the regional and country level
โข ย ย Document initiatives, case studies and technical content, highlighting impact, lessons learned and good practices
โข ย ย Contribute to outreach and knowledge management related to rural transformation
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย University degree in social sciences, agriculture sciences, rural development, economics or related fields
โข ย ย At least 1 year of relevant experience (for PSA category C), 2 years (for Consultant category C), 5 years (for category B), 10 years (for category A) in areas related to rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills ย
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of workย
โข ย ย Work experience in rural transformation, including rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elementsย
โข ย ย Previous experience working with the UN is a plus
โข ย ย Experience establishing and coordinating regional networksย
โข ย ย Excellent research, analytical and technical writing skillsย
โข ย ย Working knowledge of Arabic or French is considered an asset ย