Technical Specialist (Concept Note Development)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, focusing on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. In Egypt, FAO's country program is aligned with national strategies and priorities, including Vision 2030 and various agricultural and environmental initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Technical Specialist (Concept Note Development) position is crucial for the FAO's efforts in Egypt, particularly in the context of the Country Program Framework 2023-202

• This role involves contributing specialized expertise to the development of concept notes that align with key programmatic areas, ensuring that they meet both FAO's strategic frameworks and donor requirements. The specialist will be responsible for integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender, climate change, and nutrition into the concept notes, thereby ensuring that these documents reflect the comprehensive approach that FAO advocates. The position requires a deep understanding of the agricultural and environmental landscape in Egypt, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government ministries and international donors. The Technical Specialist will also provide technical support to the FAO country office, guiding the formulation of concept notes and resource mobilization efforts, which are essential for the successful implementation of FAO's programs in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Specialist (Concept Note Development) include:

• Formulating and drafting high-quality concept notes on priority programmatic areas, ensuring that they align with FAO’s strategic frameworks, donor requirements, and national priorities.
• Ensuring the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, climate change, safeguards, nutrition, and youth into the concept notes, in accordance with FAO and donor guidelines.
• Providing technical support to the FAO country office on concept note structure, formulation, and resource mobilization, including guidance on results frameworks and theory of change.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders, including government ministries and international donors, to gather necessary information and insights for the development of concept notes.
• Performing any other related duties as assigned by the FAO Representative or the Officer in Charge (OiC) in Egypt.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as international development studies, international relations, economics, political and social sciences, agribusiness, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, rural development, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience specifically in concept note development, demonstrating a strong understanding of the processes and requirements involved in this area.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as international development studies, international relations, economics, political and social sciences, agribusiness, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, rural development, or related disciplines. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience to qualify for the position.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in concept note development. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of the requirements and standards for developing high-quality concept notes that align with strategic frameworks and donor expectations. Candidates should also have experience working in international development contexts, particularly in relation to agriculture and food security.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions or stakeholders involved in FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications and experience as outlined in the job description. The FAO emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of their background.