Capacity Building Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN 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 contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and resources to deliver technical assistance and develop capacities while adhering to international standards of accountability.

Job Overview:
The Capacity Building Specialist position is located in the FAO Country Office in Syria and is crucial for supporting the design and implementation of capacity-building programs, institutional learning, and staff development activities for the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and its policy-related units. The role involves conducting training needs assessments, designing and implementing training and learning programs, and developing training materials and knowledge resources. The specialist will facilitate workshops, seminars, and peer-learning activities, support the monitoring and evaluation of training programs, and prepare annual training and capacity-building plans. This position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the FAO Representative and other senior officials, to ensure effective capacity development aligned with FAO's strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Capacity Building Specialist will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including: conducting training needs assessments to identify gaps in knowledge and skills; designing and implementing tailored training and learning programs that meet the specific needs of the MoA; developing high-quality training materials and knowledge resources that facilitate effective learning; facilitating workshops, seminars, and peer-learning activities to enhance knowledge sharing; supporting the monitoring and evaluation of training programs to assess their effectiveness and impact; preparing annual training and capacity-building plans that align with organizational goals; organizing technical workshops and training sessions to foster skill development; developing training manuals and learning materials that are user-friendly and accessible; supporting mentoring and coaching programs to enhance individual and organizational capacity; facilitating knowledge exchange and exposure visits to promote best practices; and monitoring the effectiveness of training activities to ensure continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in education, organizational development, agricultural extension, human resources development, or related fields. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in training and capacity development is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of both English and Arabic, and must be nationals of Syria. The role also requires strong facilitation and training design skills, experience in adult learning methodologies, and the ability to develop training materials and manuals. Good coordination and communication skills are essential, along with experience in monitoring and evaluation of learning programs. Familiarity with the FAO system and standards is preferable, as is prior working experience with UN Agencies.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in fields such as education, organizational development, agricultural extension, human resources development, or other related disciplines. It is important that candidates have obtained their higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), which is maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in training and capacity development. This experience should ideally include roles that involve designing and implementing training programs, conducting assessments, and evaluating the effectiveness of training initiatives. Experience working with governmental or international organizations, particularly in the context of agriculture or food security, is highly desirable.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Arabic, as effective communication in both languages is essential for conducting training and collaborating with stakeholders. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

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. Candidates should be aware that appointment is subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.