Policy Officer

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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). It assists the FAO Representations in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile. The post is located in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Reporting Lines The Policy Officer reports to the Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean and maintains regular contact with FAO headquarters in Rome for functional guidance on matters relating to policy and governance support in the food and agricultural sectors.

Technical Focus Provision of support and analysis for policymaking processes aimed at promoting agriculture sector growth, rural development, sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Key Results Development and implementation of coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work supporting Members at regional, subregional and country level: i) in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework and its delivery mechanisms; and ii) in response to new policy assistance requests.

Key Functions • Supports the work carried out by technical or policy officers from headquarters or out-posted staff in the Decentralized Offices in relation to policy and governance work under the FAO Strategic Framework. • Advocates strategic partnerships, best practices and policy dialogue in support of enhanced governance for food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and food systems. • Participates in specialized or multidisciplinary teams and high-level policy analysis missions or projects, policy networks and/or international policy setting bodies. • Interacts with UN Regional and Country Teams to improve cross-sectorial policies and strategies concerning food and nutrition security and sustainable development. • Supports the analysis by the Regional Office of regional and country-level issues to provide input into the identification of country and regional priorities and requirement. • Designs, implements and monitors regional and subregional policy work programmes and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies. • Plans, organizes and participates in capacity development activities involving the provision of technical advice and assistance, and oversees the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.

Specific Functions • Supervises and ensures coherence in the work of the multidisciplinary team in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean. • Leads the development of policy support to the countries of the Caribbean and to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in political sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries) or a related field. • Seven years of relevant experience in policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of Spanish.

Competencies • Results focus • Leading, engaging and empowering • Strong communications skills • Partnering and advocating • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Relevance and extent of experience in policy analysis and advice relating to food security and nutrition , sustainable agriculture, disaster risk management, rural development and trade. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with SIDS, particularly the Caribbean SIDS.