Programme Officer (FAO Representative Network)

Organizational Setting The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget. RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines The Programme Officer (FAO Representative Network) reports to the Senior Field Programme Officer.

Technical Focus The incumbent performs capacity building, planning, programming and operational/liaison functions related to the management of the FAO Representative (FAOR) Network in RNE. The incumbent ensures synergy and coordination among Decentralized Offices, across regions and between these and relevant headquarters units.

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of corporate programmes and projects at regional level and globally in coordination with other Regional Offices.

Key Functions • Monitors and analyses issues and trends within the region under his/her responsibility; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; and ensures follow-up actions. • Contributes to policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends; generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses; and identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Organizes and finalizes written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications. • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations. • Initiates and coordinates outreach and communication-related activities; reviews and contributes to the development of learning materials; conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to Subregional and Country Offices and other parties, and prepares mission summaries.

Specific Functions • Advises the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) in monitoring performance of the FAO Representatives (FAORs) and management of Decentralized Offices in the region, provides day-to-day guidance and support for the smooth operations of the Country Offices as necessary. • Acts on behalf of the Budget Holder for the FAOR Network resources in the region, leads the preparation of biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) for the FAOR Network in consultation with the office of the concerned Deputy Director-General (DDG), Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) and other headquarters units. • Reviews, consolidates, and analyses annual budget allotments for FAO Country Offices and prepares Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBRs). • Advises FAORs on their strategic management of the programme, operation, and Country Offices, as well as staffing and financial and physical resources: premises, vehicles and other assets. • Guides and assists FAORs in negotiation of renewed Host Country Agreement (HCA) for premises changes, cash contributions, staff and other in-kind contributions, as well as for programme needs. • Leads or supports the development and implementation of capacity-building initiatives in support of Decentralized Offices, in close coordination with other units (e.g. administration, finance, field programme) at headquarters, Regional, and Subregional Offices. • Maintains oversight and monitors functions of the Country Offices in the region through regular working contacts and periodic country visits as necessary. • Leads or supports the preparation of FAO Representations Regional Synthesis Report and Country Annual Reports and ensures the quality control and update of FAO Representations information in the Country Office Information Network (COIN). • Prepares and/or edits policy statements, official bulletins, guidelines and instructions to FAORs in support of the effective discharge of their functions; ensures that this material is regularly updated and raises issues requiring clarifications with technical and administrative divisions. • Interacts with internal and external auditors and prepares replies to audit observations and queries. • Performs other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in public/business administration, political or social sciences or related fields. • Seven years of relevant experience in coordination, decentralization, reform, and programme matters. • 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. • Relevance and extent of experience related to coordination, decentralization, reform, and programme matters in large national/international organization(s). • Extent of understanding of the functioning of the United Nations common system and in particular of FAO's structure, policies and procedures related to decentralized activities is desirable.