Job Title:  FAO Representative in Cape Verde and FAO Representative in Uganda (UN Jobs)

Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a global mandate to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to global economic’ growth. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Job Summary:   The FAOR successfully leads and manages the FAO Country Office and effectively represents FAO in his/her country(ies) of accreditation, developing, maintaining and enhancing collaboration with the host government and other key stakeholders on development and humanitarian issues.

Technical Focus

The FAOR leads FAO’s response to national priorities and sustainable development challenges to advance the 2030 Agenda, as well as to advocate for action aimed at accelerating the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as established in FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) and in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, with particular focus on the Programmatic Priority Areas (PPAs). The FAOR is entrusted with leading FAO’s contributions to the UNSDCFs.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Represent and advocate the work of the Organization:

• Represent FAO towards national authorities, partners and stakeholders.
• Advocate FAO’s policy positions in the relevant national fora, represent FAO in the national media, and implement a proactive communications strategy to raise awareness of FAO with the general public.
• Support UN joint communication efforts and speak with ‘one voice’ in delivering the 2030 Agenda.
• Facilitate timely access by national stakeholders to FAO’s knowledge resources and global public goods.
• Provide leadership on food security and agriculture policy, as well as operational matters within the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator System.
• Lead the overall emergency response preparedness, coordination and response at the country level, in cooperation with the government, UN Country Team/Humanitarian Country Team and Cluster/sector activities and related resource mobilization efforts.

Develop and operationalize the CPF derived from UNSDCF:

• Support the country’s efforts towards the achievement of the SDGs, in line with FAO’s mandate and Strategic Framework.
• Lead, in line with national priorities and in consultation with national stakeholders and partners, the timely development of the CPF and the Country Work Plan (CWP) in accordance with, and as derived from, the UNSDCF process and related FAO programmes, projects and/or other activities (such as normative and policy functions).
• Lead the analysis of the country situation, providing, when necessary, updates and alerts on key events and trends, including for the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA).
• Lead FAO’s contribution to the UN common planning and programming frameworks, i.e. CCAs, UNSDCFs (former UNDAFs), Consolidated Appeals Processes (CAPs), Humanitarian Action Plans, Flash Appeals, Joint Programmes, etc.
• Advise and collaborate with internal partners to raise awareness of country priorities and needs and support their inclusion in corporate and regional policies.
• Lead the dialogue and liaise with national government authorities on issues of FAO’s mandate.

Build partnerships and mobilize resources:

• Support the operationalization of the CPF and the UNSDCF.
• Support the establishment of effective partnerships and collaborations with governments, donors, civil societies, NGOs, the UN, and other international organizations.
• Lead country-level mobilization of extrabudgetary resources, making maximum use of the expertise available in the Decentralized Offices.
• Support the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in strategically positioning the UN in the country and in joint UN resource mobilization efforts.

Programme implementation and monitoring:

• Ensure that programmes are managed and monitored effectively and in compliance with corporate policies, as well as procedures.
• Mobilize technical backstopping to FAO projects, in line with corporate norms, standards and procedures.
• Provide (when requested), technical support services in FAO’s areas of competence in the country(ies) of assignment, as well as other countries of the subregion.
• Operate as budget holder for national projects entrusted to him/her.
• Oversee the effective implementation of FAO programmes and projects, lead periodic reviews, monitor the CPF and FAO components in the UN Sustainable Cooperation Frameworks and Joint Programmes and ensure timely reporting, including to the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, as well as the UN Country Team on jointly agreed results.
• Report results as per corporate reporting requirements in a timely manner.
• Address issues in real time to minimize reputational and financial risks for FAO.

Effectively manage the office, personnel and financial resources:

• Lead and manage the Country Office and ensure effective, as well as efficient use of human and financial resources, in line with corporate policies and administrative procedures, ensuring that internal control mechanisms are in place and enforced.
• Manage all matters related to the security and safety of FAO personnel and their eligible dependents whilst ensuring full adherence to the UN Security Policy, rules and regulations, as well as to security-related instructions issued by FAO.
• Improve the observance of legal, statutory or regulatory obligations, FAO’s ethical standards and its internal Human Resources rules and policies, including the application of FAO zero tolerance policies on prevention of sexual abuse and harassment and gender parity; promote and nurture staff development in addition to welfare.
• Identify and implement effective and efficient controls that better respond to operational risks faced in achieving FAO’s objectives, including preparation and implementation of Anti-Fraud Control plans.
• Maintain and improve the reliability, appropriateness and timeliness of financial and non-financial information.
• Reduce losses and waste of assets, as well as resources, whether through misdirected effort, avoidable errors, mismanagement, abuse or fraud.
• Ensure that a gender focal point is designated as required by the FAO Gender Equality Policy.
• Sustain and increase the confidence among Members and other stakeholders in the reliability, resilience and efficiency of FAO’s management systems.

• Advanced university degree in an area related to the activities of the Organization, e.g. agriculture, forestry, fishery or rural development, etc.
• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of field programmes.
• For the position of FAO Representative in Uganda: Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• For the position of FAO Representative in Cape Verde: Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and French.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential, in both programmatic areas and fostering government relationships.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and managing country field programmes from design to delivery (programme/project identification, formulation, analysis, planning, implementation, 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 as well as in designing collaborative networks and joint programmes.
• For the position of FAO Representative in Cape Verde: Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Portuguese is desirable.

Leadership Competencies

• Results focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework
• Leading, engaging and empowering others: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication
• Partnering and Advocating: Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organization’s work
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others
• Strategic thinking: Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies.

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection