Agricultural Officer (Climate-Resilient Agriculture)

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) is a specialized unit of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that focuses on providing investment and finance solutions aimed at creating more efficient, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems. Established to support FAO Members, the Centre operates in over 120 countries, collaborating with various stakeholders including governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector, farmers, research institutions, and academia. The Centre's mission is to enhance the quality and quantity of agrifood investment through strategic investment planning, public and private investment, and innovative finance. It also emphasizes knowledge sharing and capacity development to strengthen investment programs at the country level. For more information about the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, and organizational structure, please visit their official website.

Job Overview:
The Agricultural Officer (Climate-Resilient Agriculture) position is situated within the Asia and the Pacific Service (CFIB) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role involves providing analytical and technical support for agricultural development, focusing on the functioning of agricultural support services, rural market and finance institutions. The officer will be responsible for formulating, implementing, and evaluating investment policies, strategies, programs, and projects related to food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, and agro-processing. The key results expected from this position include delivering investment and finance support solutions through technical expertise and capacity development initiatives, collaborating with country stakeholders and partners to achieve significant impacts in transforming agrifood systems in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agricultural Officer will participate in and potentially lead multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment and finance support initiatives in various fields such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, agrifood systems transformation, rural development, natural resource management, climate resilience, and agro-processing. Responsibilities include leading implementation support and final evaluations of investment operations, providing technical expertise for the preparation of relevant studies and strategies, and formulating national sector investment plans. The officer will also develop inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems, deliver capacity development initiatives, prepare reports for governments and financing partners, support task organization, and promote international cooperation to create new investment opportunities. Additionally, the officer will establish and maintain relationships with FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices, participate in resource mobilization activities, and provide guidance to junior staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agronomy, agricultural engineering, or a closely related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in planning and implementing agricultural development programs is required, including experience in formulating and implementing food security, agriculture, agrifood systems transformation, rural development, natural resource management, and climate resilience investment operations in developing countries or countries in transition. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (intermediate proficiency - level B).

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in agronomy, agricultural engineering, or a closely related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address complex agricultural challenges and contribute effectively to investment and finance solutions in the agrifood sector.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the agricultural sector, particularly in planning and implementing agricultural development programs. This experience should include formulating and implementing investment operations related to food security, agriculture, agrifood systems transformation, rural development, natural resource management, and climate resilience, particularly in developing countries or countries in transition. Experience in working in multiple locations or areas of work, especially in field positions, is highly valued.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for candidates to have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of the language. Additionally, candidates should possess intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This multilingual capability is crucial for effective communication and collaboration in the international context of the FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. It is essential to note that the job may involve international travel and collaboration with various stakeholders across different countries. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to engage in resource mobilization activities as part of their responsibilities. The FAO offers a competitive compensation package, including benefits that support work-life balance and professional development opportunities.