The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programmes aimed at accelerating the implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through fisheries, livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.
The overall objective of the assignment is to increase effectiveness of FAO's humanitarian, resilience and development programming in Somalia in terms of both internal coordination and integration with the focus on CPF priorities and contributing to Somalia National Development Plan (NDP-9) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperative framework (UNSDCF).
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the FAO Representative in Somalia, under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Head of Programmes – Somalia, and under the technical guidance of relevant technical divisions at headquarters and Decentralized Offices, the Programme Officer will be responsible for coordination of the implementation and follow up of the FAO programme operations and strategies in Somalia.
Technical Focus
The Programme Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of FAO's priorities of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and time-critical interventions.
Key Results
Develops, implements and evaluates effective leadership and management of major projects and teams in accordance with 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 action;
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, analysis, 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
Coordinates and supports the identification and formulation of new FAO humanitarian, resilience and development Programme opportunities;
Contributes to wider FAO resource mobilization efforts in the humanitarian, resilience and development programming by ensuring that synergy with FAO and Government policies and programme level information, presentations and updates are available on time;
Contributes to UN system wide actions on development and monitoring of joint initiatives, joint work plans, reporting and budget and relevant results groups work.
Programme Implementation
Supports effective and timely programme implementation by coordinating project planning process with all FAO units and sector coordinators;
Coordinates Programme Management Unit routine activities and provides strategic support to sectors to ensure coordination and synergy;
Provides support to programmes/sectors to ensure project management routines are undertaken regularly in coordination with all FAO relevant Units;
Provides substantive backstopping to programme meetings to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
Participates in the preparation and clearance of project documents; ensures their quality and consistency;
Coordinates the monitoring and reporting of FAO's contribution to UNSDCF indicators with Sectors and Monitoring and Evaluation (M - E) units;
Ensures FAO Somalia’s programme and project profiles are updated regularly in coordination with Programme teams;
Coordinates and supports the formulation and implementation of FAO's global and regional initiative such as 'Hand in Hand' initiative, One Commodity, food system transformation with FAO programme teams.
Strategic/Policy
Supports internal and external engagement on the FAO Somalia Country Programming Framework (CPF) implementation, alignment and structural reforms necessary for the attainment of intended objectives;
Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies in coordination with relevant FAO Somalia units;
Coordinates the provision of direct technical support and policy advice to Government line ministries as appropriate;
Coordinates and supports FAO Somalia’s engagement with key technical representatives of Federal and State level government line ministries with relevant units;
Contributes to the strategic advocacy of FAO Somalia’s humanitarian, resilience and development priorities;
Contributes to the FAO Somalia knowledge management activities.
Performs other related duties as required.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, and/or a relevant field including development studies, food security and natural resources management.
Seven years of relevant experience in programme management related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes related development and emergency interventions, of which five years should be in the African context.
Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
