Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on providing policy advice and support to countries in areas related to food and agriculture, facilitated through partnerships and resources. FAO Country Offices work under corporate guidance to deliver technical assistance, develop capacities, and ensure accountability while aligning with international standards. The offices advocate for policies and investments in food security, provide technical assistance, and mobilize resources to support agrifood systems transformation, ensuring effective operations at the country level.

Job Overview:
The Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) plays a crucial role in the FAO Representation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This position involves the development, coordination, and operational assistance of programs based on a deep understanding of local conditions, culture, language, and institutions. The key results expected from this role include effective coordination and provision of technical and operational support for the program and project activities of the FAO Representation. The Assistant will liaise with government authorities and various institutions, representing FAO at interagency meetings as required. The role also includes promoting FAO's image through advocacy and communication tools, coordinating data collection on food and agriculture, and participating in the development of technical studies and frameworks. The Assistant will monitor program implementation, identify inconsistencies, and propose corrective measures as necessary, ensuring adherence to work plans and project documents.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) include:

• Liaising and assisting government authorities and local, national, and international institutions in areas related to FAO's activities and representing FAO at interagency meetings.
• Promoting FAO's image through advocacy of the organization's mandate and maintaining communication tools such as websites and publications.
• Coordinating the collection and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries, and monitoring changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
• Participating in the production of technical, economic, and policy studies and developing country-level frameworks like the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF).
• Identifying, formulating, and preparing program and project proposals, monitoring implementation, and proposing corrective measures for operational constraints.
• Briefing, training, and supervising lower-grade program staff, ensuring adherence to procedures and accuracy of work.
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The minimum requirements for this position include:

• Nationality of the Dominican Republic.
• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning, and technical cooperation in food and agriculture, or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities.
• Proficiency in Spanish (working knowledge - level C) and intermediate knowledge of English (level B).

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields such as agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, or any other relevant area related to the work of the FAO.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of relevant experience in either the public or private sectors, particularly in programming, planning, and technical cooperation related to food and agriculture, or project implementation in areas pertinent to FAO's activities.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in Spanish (level C), with intermediate knowledge of English (level B) being a good to have skill.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is likely to be a full-time role. The job may involve working closely with various stakeholders, including government authorities and international institutions, and may require travel within the country or region as necessary. The role is integral to the FAO's mission of achieving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.