Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)

Organizational Setting

FAO's Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture, and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the subregion. SLC houses the FAO Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines).

The position is located in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Reporting Lines

The Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) reports to the Subregional Coordinator, Subregional Office for the Caribbean.

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

• Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at interagency meetings as required. • Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country. • Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector. • Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks, such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF). • Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals; monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints. • Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided. • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Barbados • Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, business administration and management, international relations or any other field related to the work of the Organization. • Two years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English. • Working knowledge (proficient –level C) of the local language.

Competencies

• Results Focus • Team Work • Communication • Building effective relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management. • Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably' those adopted by the United Nations or FAO. • Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development. • Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. • Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.