Under the overall coordination of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU), the Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for identifying, developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies to respond to regional priorities, translated by the Regional Initiatives (RIs), relating to sustainable agrifood systems, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate change in the Central Asia subregion.
The Senior Policy Officer reports to Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia, working in close cooperation with the Regional Programme Leader and the Regional Initiative Leaders as well as relevant technical units at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy for functional guidance on matters relating to policy and governance.
Guided by the FAO Strategic Framework and the Medium-Term Plan and needs for technical assistance expressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the incumbent coordinates technical support through the SEC Multidisciplinary Team (SEC-MDT) to Decentralized Offices in the subregion in the technical areas of sustainable agrifood systems, food security, agriculture and rural development, natural resource management, and climate change. Provides intellectual leadership and guidance to the SEC-MDT and provides operational support to the development of the subregional programme on policy assistance and governance.
Development and implementation of coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work supporting Member Nations at regional and country level: i) in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework, in alignment with the Organization's Gender Policy, and its delivery mechanisms, and ii) in response to new policy assistance requests.
Key Functions:
Manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams and provides technical leadership in high-level policy analysis missions or projects, policy networks and/or international policy setting bodies.
Leads the work carried out by technical or Policy Officers at headquarters or out-posted staff in Decentralized Offices in relation to policy and governance work under the FAO Strategic Framework.
Advocates strategic partnerships, best practices, and policy dialogue in support of enhanced policies and governance for food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Interacts with UN Regional and Country teams to improve cross-sectoral policies and strategies concerning agriculture, food and nutrition security and sustainable development.
Analyses regional and country-level issues to provide input into the identification of country and regional priorities and requirements.
Designs, implements and monitors regional and subregional policy work programmes and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
Plans, organizes and participates in capacity development activities involving the provision of technical advice and assistance, and oversees the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
Represents the Organization at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences.
Specific Functions:
Leads the economic and social analytical work in the region in collaboration with other partners and stakeholders, where necessary, in support of evidence-based policy support with emphasis on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leaving no one behind.
Provides and leads, where appropriate, technical support to FAO strategic partnerships and cooperation initiatives with regional organizations and their Members, UN Regional Partners and organizations, UN agencies, the organized private sector and farmers'/traders' organizations.
Provides periodic implementation progress updates of the FAO strategic partnerships and cooperation initiatives with the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs) and the organized private sector and farmers/traders organizations.
Leads/provides technical support and quality assurance to the formulation of national, subregional food and nutrition security policies and agricultural and rural development policies, including poverty reduction.
Leads, contributes to and participates in missions for (a) identification, formulation, appraisal and backstopping of national, subregional and regional programmes and projects in areas of FAO's mandate; (b) review and development of technical cooperation programmes in line with priorities and frameworks for sustainable agricultural, food security and nutrition and rural development frameworks of the region; and (c) policy related technical support to FAO Representatives in the formulation/revision of their Common Country Analysis (CCA), UNSDCF and Country Programming Frameworks (CPF).
Leads the organization of strategic meetings, workshops and dialogue for accelerating implementation of programmes.
Promotes partnerships and participation in resource mobilization and communication in coordination with the concerned Centres/Divisions/Offices, Regional Programme Leaders, and Regional Initiatives (RI) delivery managers and Subregional RI focal points.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced university degree in development economics, political sciences or agricultural economics or related field.
Ten years of experience in policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills:
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
Understanding of complex policy processes.
Relevance and extent of experience in policy analysis and advice relating to food security and nutrition , sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
Relevance and extent of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
Understanding of complex policy processes and challenges of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Understanding of the UN Reform Process and experience in collaborating and working with the UN common system.
Relevance and extent of experience in economic and policy analysis and advice relating to sustainable agrifood systems, food security and nutrition , sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
Good understanding of the policy environment and challenges in the Central Asia subregion.
Relevance and extent of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
