Policy Officer

Organizational Setting The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's major activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional activities. FAORNE is enhancing its support to the member countries on strategy and policy for transforming the agrifood systems and ensuring food security and nutrition. The newly created Strategy and Policy Unit is tasked with providing this support.

The position is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines The Policy Officer reports to the Senior Economist/Head of Strategy and Policy Unit of the FAO Regional Office.

Technical Focus Provides intellectual leadership, guidance and operational support for results-based policy assistance and governance work of Decentralized Offices in the region in relation to regional and subregional policy issues and provides guidance to the work of policy officers posted at country level in relation to their work on food security, nutrition and sustainable agricultural development.

Key Results Implementation of coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work supporting member countries 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 outposted staff in the Decentralized Offices in relation to policy and governance work under FAO's Strategic Framework. • Participates in specialized or multidisciplinary teams and policy analysis missions or projects, policy networks and/or international policy setting bodies. • Supports analytical work and collaboration with concerned stakeholders in the adoption and implementation of cross-sectoral policies and strategies concerning food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. • Participates in partnerships and promotes best practices and policy dialogue in support of enhanced governance for food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and food systems. • Supports the analysis of regional and country-level policy issues to provide input into the identification of country and regional priorities and requirements. • Implements and monitors regional and subregional policy work programmes and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies. • Organizes and participates in capacity development activities and develops the related materials, on-line tools and information kits. • Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions • Provides specialized expertise in research, analysis and design of strategies and policies for transforming agrifood systems, in order to enhance food security and nutrition. • Provides specialized expertise for the development of evidence-informed regional strategies and tools for use by Members and partners. • Technically supports FAO Country Offices in developing policies and programmes to enhance food security and nutrition. • Contributes to FAO's strategic engagement with Member Nations in needs assessment and design of transformative strategies in the food and agriculture sectors. • Leads the development of learning and knowledge products related to these areas of work. • Researches, analyses and presents information and briefing notes for management from diverse sources. • Prepares and/or revises reports, briefing notes and talking points for the Head of the Strategy and Policy Unit.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 related field. • Five years of relevant experience in policy advice and public 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 another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Teamwork • 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, is desirable. • Relevance and extent of experience in policy analysis and advice relating to food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and rural development. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.