National Policy Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, and to ensure that all people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security. FAO's strategic framework is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

Job Overview:
The National Policy Specialist position is crucial for the FAO Representation in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of the Agriculture Sector Transformation Programme (ATP). This role involves developing policy-informed, climate-resilient investment blueprints that promote agricultural transformation across six agro-ecological regions. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions and the private sector, to ensure that investments are aligned with national priorities and contribute to sustainable agro-economic growth. The position requires a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and market responsiveness, with the goal of producing actionable policy recommendations based on thorough data analysis and impact assessments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Policy Specialist will have a wide range of responsibilities, including: actively participating in the development of regional investment plans that integrate socio-economic, agro-ecological, climate risk, and market profiles; reviewing and aligning national policies and strategies to ensure coherence in investment planning; conducting policy and institutional analyses to identify gaps and necessary reforms; providing technical input for resource mobilization; contributing to the creation of a strategic investor engagement framework; supporting data collection and validation; facilitating stakeholder consultations across all six zones; preparing briefing notes and presentations for various meetings; developing policy notes for the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA); and providing technical advisory support to stakeholders on policy implementation and emerging challenges.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public policy, agricultural economics, rural development, or a related discipline. Additionally, a minimum of nine years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural policy, investment planning, or development projects is required, preferably within the context of Bangladesh. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Bangladesh.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as public policy, agricultural economics, rural development, or other related disciplines. This advanced education is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively contribute to agricultural policy and investment planning.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of nine years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural policy, investment planning, or development projects. This experience should ideally be gained in Bangladesh, providing the candidate with a deep understanding of the local agricultural landscape and policy environment. The candidate should have a proven track record of working on complex projects that involve multiple stakeholders and require strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Bengali or other local languages would be advantageous, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the specialist's work in the field.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.