Policy Specialist (Monitoring and Information)

Overview

Support policy analysis and project monitoring for agri-food initiatives

You have:

• University degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, or other relevant field.
• At least five years of experience in policy analysis and implementation, and project monitoring, preferably focusing on agriculture, agri-food value chains and public-private investment.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English Language and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian).

Organizational Setting

FAO’s Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) Programme assists the Palestinian Government to formulate and implement policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The incumbent will contribute to a new project entitled “Promoting Market-oriented Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food System Development” (GCP/GAZ/023/MUL), which seeks to enable the Palestinian policy environment and agribusiness to generate better income, trade and welfare following innovative approaches towards more market-oriented, competitive and inclusive and sustainable agribusiness. The policy component of the project (Component 2) will intervene in several dimensions of the enabling environment for public and private investment in order to achieve the outcome of “strengthened inclusive public policies and investments toward the achievement of SDG2 in Palestine”.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the direct supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Programme, the technical guidance of the Policy Advisor and the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with other relevant personnel as well as the project’s partners, the Policy Specialist – Monitoring and Information will ensure the timely and quality implementation of specific project tasks.

Technical Focus

Guidance and operational support for the enhancement of the availability and use of data and information to inform policy analysis and decision making, project monitoring and public-private investment decisions.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparatory work for MAP 2 implementation. This includes drafting and reviewing the related documents when needed. • Establish close collaboration and working arrangements with the MAP 2 multidisciplinary team and with relevant officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and other related partners. • Advocate and support strategic partnerships, best practices and policy dialogue, as well as support resource mobilization, and implementation of MAP 2 and other initiatives within a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) approach. • Support/conduct analyses/studies/situation reports for evidence-based decision making. This includes but is not limited to: - the collection and use of data and information for assessing long-term impacts of the previous phase of MAP; - the establishment and implementation of a quantitative methodology to monitor the impact of shocks and stressors on the agri-food system; - the collection and use of data and information for further investigations and policy debates including, for example, the feasibility of establishing a national food reserve in Palestine as well as other on-demand analyses with special focus on public investments and enabling environment for private investments. • Contribute to the development and implementation of a MEAL Plan for the second phase of the MAP and related implementation tools and support the execution of project monitoring and reporting while ensuring the appropriateness of data and information needed. • Prepare periodical notes on progress achievement and issues related to data and information availability for all MAP 2 Component 2 Activities and specifically take the lead in the implementation of and provide regular progress reports of the following Activities: - “Enhance availability and use of information for decision making”, - “Assessing long term impacts of MAP investment support” and - “Establishing a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system for MAP 2”. • Enhance MoA capacity to perform its responsibilities and functions as leader of SDG2 working group, and facilitate and support the collection, consolidation and utilization data and information for: - the preparation of the NIP Monitoring Report for 2023; - the initiation of the preparation of the new NIP 2024-2028; - the implementation of pilot solutions tackling specific information gaps and bottlenecks • Support MoA in its strategic efforts in the FNSSA domain, by facilitating and supporting the collection, consolidation and utilization data and information for the formulation, monitoring and reviews of related regulatory frameworks (NFNSP, NIP, NASS) and other policy intervention schemes; • Advise on all the relevant matters related to data and information availability and use for MAP 2 implementation and other investment programs. • Perform any other related duties as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, or other relevant field. • At least five years of experience in policy analysis and implementation, and project monitoring, preferably focusing the fields of agriculture, agri-food value chains and public-private investment. • Working knowledge (level C) of English Language and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian). For PSA.SBS, the working knowledge of only one language is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Well versed with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email applications and ability to conduct Internet-based research. • Familiarity with statistical packages (i.e. Stata, R, SPSS, etc.) • Ability to travel across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in evidence-based policy analysis and implementation, including impact assessment, results-based policy assistance, facilitation of policy dialogue, and related reporting and policy briefs drafting. • Extent and relevance of experience in project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) • Extent of experience in coordinating and liaising with national authorities, UN, donors and nongovernmental national and international organizations. • Demonstrated experience working in complex environments. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable. • Knowledge of international development architecture including the UN System, NGOs etc. is desirable and understanding of FAO policies and programmes is an asset. • Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills. • Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize tasks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org