Facilitation Specialist (Facilitation and Design Thinking)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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 organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively to support the transformation of agrifood systems and promote sustainable practices.

Job Overview:
The Facilitation Specialist (Facilitation and Design Thinking) plays a crucial role within the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO, focusing on providing structured facilitation services through the Acceleration Zone (AZ). This position is designed to support FAO teams in overcoming challenges that hinder their progress on projects and strategic initiatives. The specialist will employ human-centered design thinking and various methodologies to enable collaboration and co-creation among teams. The role involves delivering participatory methodologies that help teams unlock ideas, align strategies, and co-develop innovative journeys and roadmaps. The Facilitation Specialist will also assist teams in crafting impactful pitches for projects aimed at engaging donors and partners. Additionally, the incumbent will contribute to the continuous improvement of AZ services by developing facilitation tools and ensuring responsiveness to the evolving needs of FAO and its partners, all while adhering to FAO’s Strategic Framework and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Facilitation Specialist include facilitating design thinking sessions that encompass needs assessment, empathy mapping, and ideation. The specialist will oversee various stages of the innovation process, including sourcing, design, implementation, and scaling, utilizing methodologies such as MG Taylor and design thinking. Continuous evaluation and improvement of prototypes and pilot initiatives will be a key focus, incorporating user feedback to enhance developed solutions. The specialist will provide extensive support for innovation initiatives by integrating human-centric design principles and will participate in or lead multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating with other departments and agencies. Responsibilities also include planning and contributing to AZ workshops, conferences, and meetings, preparing essential documentation and presentations, and supporting field missions that implement innovative solutions. The specialist will offer expert recommendations on innovation methodologies for project formulation and provide training sessions on Design Thinking and other facilitation methodologies to internal FAO facilitators.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in knowledge or communication science, social science, political science, agricultural sciences, innovation systems, or related fields. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in the design and facilitation of innovation initiatives, particularly with a focus on human-centered design and innovation methodologies, is required. Proficiency in English at a working knowledge level (C) is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate a deep understanding of design thinking principles and their application in addressing complex challenges within the agrifood sector, as well as proven experience in facilitating innovation processes in both virtual and in-person settings. Familiarity with designing and implementing facilitation tools and workshop materials is essential, along with experience in national and international settings.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as knowledge or communication science, social science, political science, agricultural sciences, innovation systems, or any other relevant degree. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of the agrifood sector and the methodologies used in innovation facilitation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the design and facilitation of innovation initiatives. Candidates should have a strong background in human-centered design and innovation methodologies, demonstrating their ability to lead and facilitate collaborative processes effectively. Experience in both virtual and in-person settings is essential, as is familiarity with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to adapt innovative solutions for various contexts.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at a proficient level (C) is mandatory for this position. While English is the primary language required, additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in the context of international collaboration and communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, and is associated with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The role is full-time and may involve international travel for field missions and workshops. Candidates should be prepared to engage in a dynamic work environment that emphasizes innovation and collaboration. The selection process will assess candidates against the outlined minimum requirements and selection criteria, including their track record in innovative facilitation techniques and familiarity with agile methodologies.