Deputy Director, Digitalization and Informatics Division (CSI)

Organizational Setting

The Digitalization and Informatics Division (CSI) is responsible for all IT activities within the Organization. CSI performs on behalf of the Organization the following critical roles: defining FAO IT policies and providing strategic advice on IT architecture and standards, governance, policy and operational matters while monitoring organizational compliance; defining the mechanisms for managing FAO’s information and data; protecting FAO’s information assets and ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability; ensuring provision of IT services that are core for the Organization’s global operations and supporting the information and business processes; coordinating organization-wide IT activities in order to reduce duplication and fragmentation and to increase integration of information data, systems and platforms, mobilizing IT resources from across the Organization.

The Deputy Director post is located in the Digitalization and Informatics Division (CSI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy Director, CSI reports to the Director, CSI.

Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the overall guidance of the Director, CSI, the Deputy Director will assist the Director with strategic and operational delivery of the Digital Workplace Stream (Global Corporate IT Services). He/she will also support the Director in providing strategic, managerial and technical leadership for the work of the Division and facilitate the management of corporate, divisional and interdivisional activities. In particular, the incumbent responsibilities include:

• lead day-to-day delivery and operations of FAO Digital Workplace (Global Corporate IT systems), applications and services (including ERP ecosystem, Business Efficiencies Applications, Platforms Services, Global Support Services, meetings/events and collaboration platforms, web platforms, digital ways of working);
• lead portfolio of projects related to delivery of Corporate IT systems, including capital expenditure and ad-hoc modernization and digital transformation projects globally;
• support the Director, in exercising overall management responsibility and technical leadership for the Division, including strategic vision, planning, advice, quality control and implementation of the Division’s programme of work as well as the cost-effective use of financial and human resources (staff and non-staff);
• advise the Director on IT strategies, governance and standards including their impact on the Organization’s ability to deliver its programmes;
• empower Unit Leaders with planning, managing and monitoring the results of their respective team in line with divisional results; provide budgetary oversight for initiatives/ongoing activities/projects delivery and foster cross-divisional work under the overall umbrella provided by the IT/Digital Strategy;
• coordinate and promote communication and collaboration within and across units/teams and foster a work environment conducive to efficient results-based work;
• ensure a fit-for-purpose organization, sourcing and value-for-money approach for delivering and operating Corporate IT services;
• enable a motivated and effective work force by ensuring the recruitment of highly qualified staff, mentoring, coaching and supporting career development and staff capacity development strategy;
• enhance partnerships within FAO for collaborative work in the areas of work of the Division;
• advocate and promote the work of the Division and the building of partnerships with international and national organizations, as well as the private sector, as appropriate;
• represent the Organization in internal and external meetings, and serve as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Director;
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Management or Information Technology Management, as well as Computer Science, Information Systems, or Information Technology or related field;
  • Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in management and operational aspects of delivering information and communications technology (ICT) in large organizations (both technical and managerial experience);
  • Extensive professional experience in delivering complex IT projects in global context;
  • Extensive experience in globally decentralized organizations, including field support;
  • Understanding of digital economy and digital transformation of agrifood systems and rural development is desirable;
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, and collaborate with specialists, in other related disciplines (e.g. IT infrastructure, software development, IT services, IT architecture, IT innovation and IT strategy);
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in participatory strategic planning, managing for results, and in providing budgetary oversight for programme delivery;
  • Proven negotiation skills and diplomacy;
  • Analytical skills and ability to express ideas and concepts clearly, both orally and in writing;
  • Experience in managing large teams, including mentoring and staff development;
  • Experience in working in fast-paced working environment with short deadlines;
  • Ability to work effectively with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds in an international setting; and
  • Working knowledge of English and a limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).