Policy Specialist

Overview

Provide policy advice and support for agricultural development and food security initiatives.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Political Economy, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, or other relevant disciplines.
• Ten years of experience in policy advice and analysis relating to market regulations, food security, seeds, and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Familiar with the Mozambican and SADC policy context and process, engagements with government and private sector.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Portuguese will be an advantage.
• Mozambique National or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), received funds from the European Union (EU) to implement the Project PROMOVE Agribiz – Improving Rural Competitiveness in Nampula and Zambézia Provinces, Mozambique. The overall objective is to contribute to a sustainable, inclusive and broad-based economic growth and poverty reduction in the context of national food and nutrition security and climate change. The project will achieve the objectives through (i) improving the food and nutrition security and resilience of smallholders and climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and (ii) enhancing rural competitiveness by improved participation of smallholders in economic activities, economic diversification, improved access to rural services and improved rural investment. As part of the Project PROMOVE Agribiz, FAO is supporting the Government of Mozambique in improving the regulatory framework and developing the institutional capacity for the agricultural and agribusiness development, and especially regarding the integration of smallholder farmers in those value chains, in close collaboration and consultation with relevant public – private stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the Policy Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Advisor. The incumbent will maintain regular contact with the a) FAO Sub-Regional Office relating to policy - governance support and alignment on relevant policy developments in the SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) and b) FAO HQ on Guiding principles for National Seed Policy Formulation.

Technical Focus

The Policy Specialist will provide decision making evidence-based policy assistance on governance, capacity development and policy advise regarding the seed sector, agricultural subsidies, extension services, food security and aggregation/ clustering models. The incumbent will do so by timely, accurate and persuasive advice, underpinned by analysis, contextual awareness and stakeholder consultation and seed international and national experts in PROMOVE agribiz.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Policy Specialist will undertake the following duties; • Provide technical and policy advice and support to the Government and relevant stakeholders (public and private) in the needs identification, development and implementation of a) national seed, b) agricultural subsidies, c) extension services and d) aggregation/ clustering models, strategy, policy and the relevant institutional strengthening. • Ensure public support by organizing and leading stakeholder consultations. Lead and/or organize and participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences, advocate strategic partnerships, best practices, and increase policy dialogue. Foster and negotiate effective collaboration. Advocate strategic partnerships, best practices, and policy dialogue in support of enhanced policies and governance for the sector. • Conduct an extensive needs assessment in order to diagnose – assess, prioritize and reform relevant policies and institutional framework to unlock the potential of the agricultural and agrobusiness sector. Analyzes regional and country-level issues and leads an in-depth assessment of the policy and institutional framework in relation to the economic reality such as: formal and informal economy or negotiation and value position in the value chain of private business actors from a political-economic perspective. • Lead the process of policy development by means of evidence based policy advise and strategy development. Identify necessary instruments such as laws, regulations and administrative practices to be developed or modified to ensure a conducive environment. Ensure alignment with national agricultural policy development, while ensuring synergy and consistency with environmental, trade and socio-economic policies at national, regional (SADC) and international levels. • Design an implementation strategy and lead the process of strengthening the institutional capacity to implement necessary policies and instruments. Ensure to create an enabling environment through alignment of policy tools with investment needs/ opportunities and private sector engagement. Provides trainings or knowledge management dissemination sessions. • Study and explore ways to harmonize PROMOVE with other relevant MADER implemented programmes (e.g.: SUSTENTA, Irriga …). • Liaise with corresponding units in HQ to assess the most adequate tools to address and create consensus on nationwide food security initiatives (e.g.: Parliamentarian alliance) and equitable market access for small farmers. • Draft relevant reports to FAO, the European Union and the Government on progress achievement and issues related to the policy advise provided or possible potential policy development. • Assist FAO Mozambique in any activity related with promotion of policy dialogue, policy assessment and design with the Government of Mozambique, all relevant partners and developing agents.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Political Economy, Law, Political Science, Public Policy, or other relevant disciplines. • Ten years of experience in policy advice and analysis relating to market regulations - dynamics, food security, seeds and/ or rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. • Familiar with the Mozambican and SADC policy context and process/ engagements with government and private sector. • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Knowledge of Portuguese will be an advantage. • Mozambique National or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and extent of experience in policy analysis and the political (economy) landscape assessing in the SADC region, as it relates to the agricultural sector. • Relevance and extent of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies, private sector representatives and multi-disciplinary teams. • Ability to identify policy, regulatory and administrative bottlenecks that deter the agricultural sector from attaining its full potential. • Understanding of complex policy processes, raising public support and stakeholder consultations (public and private). • Deep understanding of and ability to apply environmental context, data and legislation.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org