Strategy and Planning Officer (SURAGGWA-PAGGW)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is dedicated to supporting African Member States and regional integration institutions in achieving transformative results for agrifood systems. The organization aligns its efforts with the FAO Strategic Framework and the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, ensuring that no one is left behind. Established to foster collaboration with regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and various Regional Economic Communities, FAO RAF plays a crucial role in addressing continental priorities like security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, climate resilience, and agricultural trade through high-level policy dialogue and technical cooperation.

Job Overview:
The Strategy and Planning Officer will be instrumental in the implementation of the Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa's Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA) programme, a transformative initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This role involves ensuring strategic coherence across multiple countries and partners, robust multi-year planning, and alignment with national, regional, and global frameworks. The officer will be responsible for integrated programme planning and results-based management, focusing on strategic design of interventions, performance-driven budgeting, and systematic preparation of work plans. The position requires a proactive approach to monitoring field activities and evidence-based reporting on outputs and outcomes, as well as capacity building for effective strategic planning and accountable programme delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Strategy and Planning Officer will undertake a variety of key functions, including analyzing and adapting policies and procedures to enhance inter-departmental collaboration in strategic planning and results-based programming. The officer will execute analytical tasks related to the Organization's Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan, contribute to the design of procedures for work planning, and perform tasks associated with the corporate results-based monitoring and reporting system. Specific functions include developing results frameworks, supporting sequencing of interventions, ensuring integration of gender equality and climate resilience into planning instruments, and providing strategic planning guidance to FAO Representatives. The officer will also assist in revamping the PAGGW’s website, compile data for regional progress reports, and support the preparation of concept notes and proposals to partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business or public administration, finance, economics, agriculture, or international development. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, or systems development is required. Proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields related to business administration, finance, economics, agriculture, or international development. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of agrifood systems and the strategic planning required for the SURAGGWA programme.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in areas such as planning, monitoring and evaluation, financial analysis, and business process analysis. Experience in field positions and in more than one location or area of work is desirable, as is familiarity with the planning, monitoring, and reporting systems of the FAO.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (intermediate proficiency - level B). Additionally, having intermediate knowledge of French would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Dakar, Senegal, and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including national agencies and operational partners. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration and travel. Candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements and competencies outlined in the job description, which include results focus, teamwork, communication, and knowledge sharing.