Secretary, Committee on World Food Security (CFS)

Overview

Lead the Secretariat of the Committee on World Food Security and drive global food security efforts.

You have:

• Advanced university degree, preferably in disciplines that are relevant to food security and nutrition.
• A minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible experience relevant to food security, nutrition and sustainable development.
• Management and technical leadership of a high order with demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter and extensive relevant professional experience on food security and nutrition-related issues and policies.
• Extensive and relevant professional experience related to the functioning of multilateral and multi-stakeholder processes.
• Ability to cooperate effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
• Experience in resource mobilization, partnership building including at the highest level of government, is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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.

The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) constitutes the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for a broad range of committed stakeholders to work together in a coordinated manner and in support of country-led processes towards the elimination of hunger and ensuring food security and nutrition for all human beings. The Secretary of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) will lead the work of the Secretariat in support of the Committee and its subsidiary bodies and working groups.

The position is located in the Agrifood Economics Division (ESA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Secretary of the CFS reports to the Chief Economist and works under the overall supervision of the CFS Chair and in close collaboration with the Bureau and the Advisory Group and the Chairs of the Working Groups.

Summary of Duties and Functions

• Manage and supervise the CFS Secretariat;
  • Exercise overall supervision of the CFS Secretariat’s support to the High-Level Panel of Experts;
  • Manage, monitor, report on, and be accountable for, the CFS budget;
  • Lead the design and implementation of the CFS Resource Mobilization Strategy and funding for the activities of CFS;
  • Lead the updates to and implementation of the CFS Communication Strategy as well as the development of mechanism for systematic communication among CFS stakeholders and the dissemination of CFS publications;
  • Ensure technical, administrative and logistical support to the CFS Chair and the Chairs of the different Working Groups and technical task teams;
  • Supervise, and provide technical inputs to, the preparation of CFS publications, working documents and meetings;
  • Engage in global policy dialogues beyond the CFS meetings to promote the CFS platform in the context of delivery on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
  • Ensure that the Heads of the three Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) are kept informed on the work of the Committee through appropriate channels;
  • Engage with RBA focal points to ensure that CFS policy products are appropriately disseminated across the RBA constituencies, including at country level, to improve Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) outcomes;
  • The Secretary is subject to FAO Rules and Regulations and his/her performance is assessed jointly by the RBAs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree, preferably in disciplines that are relevant to food security and nutrition;
• A minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible experience relevant to food security, nutrition and sustainable development;
• Management and technical leadership of a high order with demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter and extensive relevant professional experience on food security and nutrition-related issues and policies;
• Extensive and relevant professional experience related to the functioning of multilateral and multi-stakeholder processes;
• Ability to cooperate effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
• Experience in resource mobilization, partnership building including at the highest level of government, is highly desirable;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate- level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Apply now

Potential interview questions

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