Chief Technical Adviser

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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 member nations 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, 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
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

Organizational Setting
FAO's Subregional Office for Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for transforming food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It also develops and maintains relations with subregional wide institutions. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa region. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and SNG are implementing a 24-month project for the formulation of a Master Plan for Sustainable Agriculture in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (herewith referred to as 'the project'). The specific outcome of the project is to equip ADAFSA with a comprehensive planning and monitoring tool and a roadmap for the sustainable development of diversified and integrated agricultural production system in the three regions of Abu Dhabi Emirate (Al Ain, Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi). The project will support the rollout of related investment programmes. By assisting ADAFSA to develop a Master Plan for the agricultural sector, the project contributes to the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2018. The Strategy lays the foundations to transform the food and agriculture sectors in the country.
The project activities will be geared towards four outputs and will lead to the development of a Master Plan through a sequential, logical, inclusive and consultation process. The key deliverables of the project will include: (a) a Theory of Change for the Master Plan; (b) a decision support tool; (c) preparatory studies to inform the Master Plan; and (d) the Master Plan document, based on the above deliverables.

Reporting Lines
The Chief Technical Adviser reports to FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen and FAO Representative in the United Arab Emirates. He/she collaborates with various technical divisions at FAO headquarters and with technical units at the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE). The Chief Technical Adviser will work in close cooperation with the National Project Coordinator appointed by ADAFSA and FAO assigned taskforces.

Technical Focus
Lead a dedicated multidisciplinary team in support to the implementation of the project 'Master Plan for Sustainable Agriculture in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates'. The Chief Technical Adviser will be responsible for developing the theory of change, fine-tuning the preparatory studies and drafting the master plan final documents. The team will provide specialized technical inputs to the project deliverables. The Chief Technical Adviser will ensure that latest and best international practices and approaches are reflected in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities.

Key Results
Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Programmes of work, projects, related-products, and services in accordance with FAO’s Strategic Objectives.

Key Functions
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation on 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;
• 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, analysis, 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, seminars; and 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 guide lines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions
• Develops the Master Plan Theory of Change and drafts the Master Plan document and the associated monitoring framework, in collaboration with the FAO Investment Centre at FAO headquarters, and other units concerned;
• Ensures high quality delivery of the project's outputs detailed in a preliminary form in the Project Document, but to be finalized and agreed upon with ADAFSA, including: (a) a Theory of Change for the Master Plan; (b) a decision support tool; (c) preparatory studies to inform the Master Plan; and (d) the Master Plan document, based on the above deliverables;
• Reviews the existing policies and strategies of ADAFSA and any related strategies/ policies at the Emirate level.
• Coordinates the implementation of the project activities and manages the successful planning, monitoring and reporting of the project. In collaboration with the budget holder, plans and monitors the budget and ensures funds are spent within the agreed allocation and timeframe;
• Provides methodological support and continuous follow-up and guidance to the Project Support Team involved;
• Prepares a detailed project annual work plans, the logical framework matrix, including objectives, results and activities with objectively verifiable indicators, implementation arrangements and a detailed budget. Validates the work plan at the inception workshop;
• Based on the agreed work plan, defines the Project Support Team expertise and drafts the terms of references for the consultants to be hired to ensure timely achievement of project deliverables, including the thematic studies and the ADAFSA Master Plan;
• Establishes and maintains a constructive relationship with ADAFSA and external stakeholders in support of the project in the focus areas;
• Monitors, identifies and advises on challenges and risks facing the implementation of the project;
• Prepares the project inception, the periodical reports for ADAFSA and FAO on the progress, achieved and challenges and issues to be addressed. Ensures that the project final reports (terminal report) are prepared and submitted timely;
• Organizes and facilitates the project inception workshop, the interim missions and workshops and the final workshop;
• Coordinates with the ADAFSA National Project Coordinator in all project related activities;
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related fields;
• Ten years of experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to agriculture and agriculture development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official 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 developing sector studies, agricultural transformation, strategic documents or national investment plans, providing technical and strategic advice in policy analysis to governments of high-income countries;
• Extent and relevant of experience in project/programme management, managing human and financial resources, and coordinating project activities;
• Experience in agricultural production systems particularly in arid agro ecological regions and in the context of limited agricultural and natural resources;
• Proven record of project cycle management experience, including strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation;
• Demonstrated analytical ability, able to evaluate and to appraise critically quantitative and qualitative information;
• Extent and relevance of experience in agricultural large-scale mapping, zoning and modelling for strategic decisions systems and guidance.