Regional Hub Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that aims to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries and has a mission to support the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The organization is committed to environmental sustainability and aims to leave no one behind in its efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Office of Innovation (OIN) within FAO plays a crucial role in driving and coordinating innovation across the organization, ensuring that innovative approaches are mainstreamed into FAO's programs and facilitating partnerships to enhance agrifood innovation systems.

Job Overview:
The Regional Hub Coordinator will be responsible for orchestrating the development of regional innovation ecosystems focused on agroecological transitions. This role combines project management with ecosystem facilitation, requiring the incumbent to coordinate Partner Hub Organizations and ensure alignment between country and regional activities. The Hub Coordinator will work closely with various stakeholders, including research institutions, development partners, and community-driven initiatives, to ensure the successful delivery of the MAINSTREAM project, which aims to strengthen capacities for mission-oriented agrifood innovation systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The position requires a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement and the ability to build networks among innovation actors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake a variety of tasks including planning and implementing inception phase activities such as assessments and stakeholder engagement. They will develop work plans and budgets, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones, and coordinate Partner Hub Organizations through regular meetings and workshops. The Hub Coordinator will prepare project documentation and reports for FAO management and donors, support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, and draft terms of reference for affiliate personnel. Additionally, they will ensure quality compliance of Innovation Policy Labs, support agricultural innovation system assessments, co-design hub services, oversee the development of regional innovation portfolios, and facilitate training programs for innovation facilitators. Stakeholder engagement will be a key responsibility, involving building relationships with government, civil society, and private sector organizations, organizing multi-stakeholder platforms, and coordinating with various regional and international organizations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (at least MSc) in fields such as agricultural innovation systems, rural development, agroecology, agricultural economics, or related social sciences. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of proven experience in project management within an international context is required, along with experience in facilitating multistakeholder innovation processes and working with regional-level programs. Full proficiency in English is mandatory, and familiarity with agricultural innovation systems and agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, specifically in areas related to agricultural innovation systems, rural development, agroecology, agricultural economics, development studies, or innovation management. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional relevant professional experience to qualify for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of proven experience in project management in an international context, including facilitation and coordination of multistakeholder innovation processes. Candidates should have experience interacting with policy and decision-makers at various levels, working with regional-level programs or networks, and delivering capacity development and training.

Languages:
Full proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of regional languages is considered an asset, and working knowledge of French is highly desirable, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with various stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time and may involve international collaboration. Specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, compensation, and benefits are not provided in the job description but may be discussed during the application process.