Senior Programme Officer (Rural Transformation)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which was established in 194

• Its mission is to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and works closely with regional offices to address security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and agricultural development priorities.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Officer (Rural Transformation) is a pivotal role within the FAO's Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) based in Cairo, Egypt. This position is responsible for providing leadership and technical policy expertise in the planning, development, and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products, and services that align with the FAO Strategic Framework and the Organization's Gender Policy. The officer will focus on rural development and agrifood systems transformation, emphasizing smallholder empowerment, inclusive value chains, social and economic inclusion, and access to social protection systems for rural communities. The role also involves engaging with youth employment initiatives, women's empowerment, and promoting digital innovation in agriculture. The Senior Programme Officer will coordinate the development of studies and methodologies that inform policies and facilitate capacity development, ensuring that regional priorities are effectively integrated into the FAO's strategic planning and implementation processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: planning, managing, or leading specialized or multidisciplinary teams for assigned programmes/projects; preparing and reviewing Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and operational workplans; coordinating programme/project formulation activities; leading resource mobilization efforts and establishing partnerships for funding opportunities; participating in complex field missions and providing guidance to external consultants and government officials; ensuring the quality and effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities; monitoring programme/project activities; facilitating the development and implementation of RNE's rural transformation agenda; coordinating policy trend identification and advocacy; developing regional knowledge exchange platforms; contributing to RNE's vision and strategy; providing technical support for policy dialogues and resource mobilization; and managing budgets and project deliverables to ensure timely results.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as agriculture, forestry, fishery, economics, social science, business administration, or political science. A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in project or programme management at both national and international levels is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (level B) is also mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, leadership, communication, partnering, knowledge sharing, and strategic thinking.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in areas related to the FAO's activities, such as agriculture, forestry, fishery, economics, social science, business administration, or political science. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of rural transformation and agrifood systems.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in project or programme management, which includes both planning and execution at national and international levels. Experience in managing technical cooperation projects, particularly those related to emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation, is highly valued. Familiarity with the UN system-wide policies and processes, especially in decentralized locations, is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record in resource mobilization and the ability to negotiate with senior officials in national governments and inter-governmental organizations.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C. Candidates must also have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which can be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Cairo, Egypt. The role involves significant responsibilities in leading and coordinating rural transformation initiatives across the Near East and North Africa region. Candidates should be prepared for potential travel within the region as part of their duties. The FAO offers a competitive compensation package, including benefits related to health, retirement, and professional development opportunities.