Technical Officer (SDGs Coordination)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are global objectives that will shape national development plans over the next 9 years. From ending poverty and hunger to responding to climate change and sustaining our natural resources, food and agriculture lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment, and a Better life, leaving no one behind. The FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) coordinates FAO engagement in the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review, working closely with concerned units across the Organization with an overall objective to mainstream SDGs through the FAO Strategic Framework. The SDGs are central in FAO’s overall theory of change. Key SDGs and their indicators, including all indicators for which FAO is custodian or contributing agency, are used to promote focus, track progress and express aspirations at the level of medium/long-term outcome/impact. Twenty Programme Priority Areas (PPAs) guide the programmes that FAO will implement under the four Betters in order to fill critical gaps and put in place the conditions needed to drive the changes that will ultimately contribute to the achievement of the specific SDG targets. The position is located in the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Technical Officer (SDGs Coordination) reports to the Director, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG).

Technical Focus FAO’s work on SDGs covers various service lines including, monitoring and reporting progress, building capacity of countries to follow up and review the 2030 Agenda in areas of FAO work and supporting interventions to improve key SDG targets at national, regional and global level. The post is focusing on analysis of SDGs related internal (FAO units) and external (FAO Members, partners and stakeholders) needs and the development of science-based technical support on SDGs services at global, regional and national level that can support agri-food systems transformations.

Key Results Coherent technical and policy expertise and advice to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services of SDGs in the agri-food sector.

Key Functions • Provides policy expertise and advice to support the planning, development and implementation of OSG programmes, projects, products and services; • Provides technical and programmatic support on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; • Coordinates and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; • Leads the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Participates in and/or leads training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Provides guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;; • Provides advice on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions • Prepares methodologies for, and undertakes studies, desk-reviews, data collection and information gathering and analysis of relevant evidence, lessons and good practices, on technical approaches of SDGs policies that can support agri-food systems transformations; • Leads the development and supports the employment of tools and applications for SDGs integration in the agri-food sector; • Prepares, in cooperation with peers from other FAO units, relevant FAO reports on SDGs; • Provides inputs and liaises with peers in the Office of the Chief Statistician in the consolidation of FAO’s input to the Global Sustainable Development report; • Supports FAO Regional Offices with analysis of SDGs trends in the framework of regional agri-food systems transformations; • Supports the engagement of FAO in, and keeps track of, global and regional processes on SDGs (e.g. HLPF, Regional Fora on Sustainable Development) in direct cooperation with the FAO Liaison Office in New York and FAO Regional Offices; • Organizes advocacy events on SDGs and FAO (prepare concept notes, programmes and agendas, liaise with potential speakers etc.); • Leads the development of advocacy materials on the work of FAO on SDGs as well as compile policy briefs in the areas of work of OSG; • Develops, in coordination with the Office of Communications, dissemination plans of evidence, analyses and outcomes of the Fora, advocacy events and advocacy material to Members and other stakeholders.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in sustainable development, environment, economics, social studies or other area related to FAO work • Seven years of relevant experience in programme and project management, policy and technical advice and analysis, monitoring and evaluation in the area of sustainable development • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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 • Extent of knowledge of the content of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs as well as other development agenda such as the Paris Agreement, etc. • Relevance and extent of experience in policy advice and analysis, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams • Relevance and extent of experience in the area(s) of food security, agriculture, environmental management, and rural development to achieve sustainable development • Excellent writing skills as can be proved by relevant publications record