Governance Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Governance and Policy Support (GaPS) Unit of the Chief Economist’s Office, DDCG, leads the corporate responsibility for maintaining and enhancing the quality of FAO’s role and work in governance and policy support. A primary responsibility of the unit is to provide concepts and methods to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of FAO’s work in Governance and Policy. GaPS is also responsible for mainstreaming Governance and Political Economy (GPE) in FAO work at global, regional and country level, which is at the heart of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Indeed, in order to maximize the Organization’s contribution to transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems and thus, to achieving the SDGs and the four betters, the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 (C 2021/7, para. 60) underlines that it is critical to apply four cross-cutting “accelerators”, which include complements (governance, institutions and human capital), in all FAO's programmatic interventions. FAO’s strategic focus is driven by the recognition that overcoming or more effectively managing governance and political economy challenges can be decisive for fostering improved impact on food security and nutrition, livelihoods, and the management and sustainable use of natural resources.

Integrating Governance and Political Economy (GPE) thinking into programme design and implementation is expected to identify entry points for enabling transformational change and help governments and their partners to design or adjust programmes, including investments, in ways that maximize their potential effectiveness. Learning and documenting the use of GPE analysis at country level, and its linkages with increasing effectiveness of FAO’s policy and technical support, is critical for translating analysis into operational strategies for transformational change.

The consultant(s) will support the GaPS team in undertaking governance analysis (institutional and political economy analysis) related to agrifood systems transformation applying the FAO framework, to co-develop feasible solutions; and in facilitating learning activities, policy dialogues, as well as consolidation of papers, and reports, learning and communication products related to FAO programmes and projects.

Reporting Lines

The consultant(s) will work under the overall supervision of the Senior Coordinator, Governance and Policy Support Unit, DDCG, and in close collaboration with the GaPS team and pertinent FAO country offices and project teams.

Technical Focus

Governance and political economy analysis, analytical reports and case studies, policy dialogue, co-designed facilitation and learning relevant for FAO policy and technical support work.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specific tasks and responsibilities of selected candidates will be defined in the Terms of Reference for each specific assignment. They may include the following\:
• Using FAO governance framework, lead governance analysis in support to the planning, development and implementation of FAO programmes and projects (i.e. developing a plan to carry out an in-depth governance analysis in line with programme/project specific objectives, doing desk reviews, collection of data, interviews and consultations with key government and non-governmental actors, stakeholder mapping and analysis, institutional and political economy analysis, analytical reports etc.).
• Advise and support to building a realistic theory of change, based on the findings of governance analysis and stakeholder dialogues and consultations.
• Support organizing, structuring and facilitating of policy, cross-sectoral and/or multi-stakeholder dialogues or workshops.
• Contribute to preparation of various written outputs such as issue and policy briefs and papers, etc. in collaboration with FAO technical units, decentralized offices, and partners.
• Prepare methodologies for, and undertake desk-reviews, data collection and information gathering, and analysis of lessons learned and good practices on governance-related work at country, regional and global level that can support agrifood systems transformation.
• Contribute to governance and political economy analyses supporting the preparation of investment proposals and tools for sustainable agri-food systems transformation.
• Provide substantive support and facilitate consultative meetings, videoconferences, training workshops and webinars.
• Support the engagement of FAO in, and keeps track of, global and regional mechanisms relevant to governance work.
• Draft concept notes and programme/project document briefs, progress reports, etc.
• Support the formulation of and management of funding proposals in support to GaPS 'activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in sustainable development, law, and political science, economics, social sciences, other area relevant to FAO work or equivalent working experience.
• A minimum of 5 years up to10 years of relevant work experience in governance, political economy analysis related to food, agriculture, nutrition, sustainable development, social inclusion and related areas, and in project or programme management.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in governance, political economy and policy support related to food security, nutrition and agricultural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in cross-sectoral, multi-stakeholder and participatory approaches, and policy dialogue.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international working and communications practices, and governance and business structures found in developing countries.
• Familiarity with FAO’s governance and policy work is considered a strong asset.
• Ability to plan and organize work, deliver results and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Selection Criteria
• Limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian is an advantage.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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