Deputy FAO Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Job Ref. DRC/FAO/082307

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

 

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are each headed by an FAO Representative, 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.

The Deputy FAO Representative (Deputy FAOR) leads the Programme Management Unit in the Representation and is responsible for the overall programme implementation including providing guidance and oversight of the administration and operations units, and day-to-day coordination and monitoring of programme development, resource mobilization and reporting.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy FAO Representative reports to the FAO Representative with the functional guidance from the Senior Field Programme Officer and the Programme Officer (FAOR Network) in the Regional Office for Africa. He/she collaborates with the relevant technical units at headquarters, the relevant government institutions, UN agencies and other development partners.

Technical Focus

Planning, organizing, coordinating and reporting to the FAO Representative on programme development, implementation and monitoring, resource mobilization as well as office management in line with FAO rules, regulations and procedures.

Key Results

Leadership and technical expertise in coordinating the planning, implementation of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and reporting focusing on key results in line with the Results matrix of the CPF.

Key Functions

• Represents FAO and liaises with senior government officials, UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners and beneficiaries on country programme implementation and delivery;
• Coordinates the identification of policy implications and monitors relevant policy environment issues for the implementation of FAO’s agricultural disaster-preparedness, response, transition and development strategies;
• Promotes effective integration of developmental and emergency-relief and rehabilitation programmes into a comprehensive country programme;
• Facilitates and supports the development of (i) the FAO CPF; (ii) FAO’s contributions to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); as well as (iii) the FAO country field programme from design through delivery, ensuring their alignment with the country’s development priorities, the FAO Strategic Framework and with the technical assistance programming of the UN common system and of other development partners and recipients;
• Provides leadership in developing and introducing risk reduction policies and practices in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in disaster-prone countries;
• Coordinates timely needs assessments for effective livelihood responses to food security crises in the case of natural or human-induced disasters, including participation in food security cluster;
• Develops and promotes resource mobilization strategy for the country and contributes to fund mobilization efforts through liaison with the donor community in the country;
• Coordinates the preparation of briefs and comprehensive reports on FAO priorities and field programme in the country and ensures the timely dissemination of information to the Government, donor community, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
•    Facilitates the effective collection and dissemination of information, in the framework of the knowledge management activities of the Organization and contributes to the development and delivery of effective communication, advocacy and partnership strategies;
•      Leads and/or manages the Country Office’s human and financial resources, including the implementation of field security and safety policies for staff, as instructed (or delegated) by the FAO Representative;
• Performs other duties, as required.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    Advanced university degree in an area related to the activities of the Organization, e.g. agriculture, forestry, fishery, rural development;  Ten years of relevant experience in planning, formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of field programmes;    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST. The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview. 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 developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery (programme/project identification, formulation, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation); Extent and relevance of experience in the coordination and/or management of technical cooperation projects and programmes, including emergency, recovery and rehabilitation related programmes; Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization; Extent and relevance of experience in negotiating and cooperating with national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes; Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of both English and French is considered a strong asset.