Senior Technical Officer (COAG Secretary)

Organizational Setting

The Committee on Agriculture (COAG) is FAO's main technical advisory Committee on agriculture responsible for: i) Reviewing major agricultural and nutritional problems and proposing concerted action by FAO's Member Nations; ii) Advising the FAO Council and the Director-General on activities relating to agriculture, livestock, food, nutrition and natural resource management, with particular emphasis on all the social, technical, economic, institutional and structural aspects relating to agricultural and rural development in general; and iii) Reviewing specific matters relating to agriculture, food and nutrition referred to the Committee. COAG also provides advice and recommendations to the FAO Conference on global agricultural policy and regulatory matters, and to the FAO Council on matters relating to the Organization's priorities, programmes and budgets.

The post is located in the Office of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) and supports the work of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production (NR) stream, in close collaboration with the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), Land and Water Division (NSL), and other technical units. The incumbent plays a key coordination and advisory role for the stream's substantive technical work, oversees preparations for the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), and directly supports the Deputy Director-General's front office in advancing strategic and programmatic priorities with Members and partners.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Technical Officer (COAG Secretary) reports to the Deputy Director-General and collaborates closely with the Directors of the Stream's technical divisions, among others across the Organization. The incumbent provides coordination, analytical, and advisory support to the front office of the DDG, including in the context of Governing Bodies engagement and internal programmatic alignment.

Technical Focus

The Senior Technical Officer (COAG Secretary) acts as Secretary of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG). S/he provides policy and regulatory guidance on issues related to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resources management. S/he provides overall management support and advice under the Programme Priority Areas and other key priorities of the Strategic Framework.

Key Results
Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of programmes of work, projects, related products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of technical issues of assigned programmes/projects; directs the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Ensures the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment in FAO’s work, in accordance with FAO Policy on Gender Equality.
• Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessment of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects, as well as the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports, as well as studies, and inputs to publications.
• Directs substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice to develop policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

   

  Specific Functions

  • Manages the preparation of DDG stream's inputs to Governing Bodies and Regional Conferences' documents; monitors deliberations, ensures appropriate follow-up action is taken on decisions and recommendations related to agriculture and in particular to areas of work led by the FAO Plant Production (NSP) and Land and Water (NSL) Divisions, and related initiatives.
  • Acts as Secretary of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), organizes and ensures effective planning and implementation of biennial sessions and related activities; monitors implementation of its deliberations and of its programme of work, working closely with the COAG Bureau members and relevant FAO units, and ensures collaboration with other FAO Technical Committees and Statutory Bodies.
  • Coordinates and supports technical divisions within the NR stream particularly NSP and NSL in the development and articulation of divisional priorities, and contributions to substantive corporate technical and programmatic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework and visibility through COAG and other governing mechanisms.
  • Acts as a central interface between NSP and NSL technical divisions (including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the DDG's front office, facilitating policy coherence, collaborative work and timely exchange of information and positions related to science, innovation, and natural resources management.
  • Supports the DDG and the front office in strategic engagement with Members, partners and across FAO streams, providing substantive briefings, talking points and technical inputs for high-level events, external communications, and senior management coordination.
  • Coordinates stream-wide inputs to corporate initiatives, position papers, and intergovernmental processes, ensuring they reflect technical coherence and strategic alignment with COAG mandates and DDG priorities, including advocacy initiatives, ensuring the development and implementation of effective communication and information strategies, and advises on the overall scope and content of the publications and communication programmes.

    CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

     

    Minimum Requirements

    • Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries) or related field. 
    • Ten years of relevant experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes with special emphasis on developing countries.
    • Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

       

      Competencies

      • Results Focus
      • Leading, Engaging and Empowering
      • Communication
      • Partnering and Advocating
      • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
      • Strategic Thinking

        Technical/Functional Skills

        • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
        • Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of projects and programmes related to food security, agriculture and rural development, and technical cooperation.
        • Extent and relevance of experience in facilitating collaboration and managing partnerships, including with international agricultural research and innovation organizations and networks.
        • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively across technical areas and senior leadership settings, ensuring coherence between programmatic implementation and high-level strategic direction.
        • Proven track record in front-office advisory roles, particularly in large international organizations, supporting decision-making and cross-organizational coordination.
        • Proven leadership skills and experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders, intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
        • Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently, and ability to mobilize resources and to deliver quality results and against deadlines.
        • Extent and relevance of experience in organizing high-level international meetings, seminars and training courses.
        • Demonstrated good communication skills and ability to produce and review reports and documents.