Senior Programme Officer

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Position Title: Senior Programme Officer
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries worldwide, focusing on eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, particularly through its Office of Youth and Women (OYW), which emphasizes the empowerment of youth and women in agrifood systems and rural development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Officer will play a crucial role in promoting and advancing the empowerment of youth and women in agrifood systems and rural development. This position is integral to the FAO's strategic framework for 2022-2031, focusing on enabling policies that support youth and women globally. The officer will collaborate with various UN entities and partners to enhance the advocacy for youth and women's engagement in agrifood systems. The role involves overseeing the implementation of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality and the Rural Youth Action Plan, ensuring that the voices of youth and women are heard and integrated into FAO's initiatives. The officer will also manage the office's resources and lead the Global Youth Action Initiative, which aims to increase the visibility and impact of youth-led initiatives in food and agriculture education, innovation, and local capacity development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for planning, managing, and leading specialized teams, participating in cross-divisional committees, and providing technical leadership on international policy and standard-setting bodies. Key responsibilities include developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and projects, directing the review of relevant documents, identifying priorities, and proposing corrective actions. The officer will coordinate programs, assess issues and trends, supervise the preparation of written outputs, and manage outreach activities. Additionally, the officer will represent FAO at international meetings, advocate for best practices, and develop strategic partnerships. Specific functions include building FAO's role in governance debates related to youth and women, strengthening networks with UN organizations and civil society, and leading resource mobilization activities. The officer will also oversee capacity development activities to support youth engagement in agrifood systems transformation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, international development, public management, political sciences, social sciences, or a related field. A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in strategic planning, program coordination, management, partnership building, outreach, communications, and resource mobilization is required. Candidates should demonstrate a capacity for leading significant policy programs in a multilateral or UN context. Proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as economics, agricultural economics, international development, public management, political sciences, social sciences, or business administration. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of agrifood systems and the socio-economic factors affecting youth and women's empowerment.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least ten years of relevant experience in strategic planning, program coordination, and management, particularly in a multilateral or UN context. Experience in partnership building, outreach, and resource mobilization is crucial, along with a demonstrated ability to lead significant policy programs and initiatives. Work experience in multiple locations or areas, especially in field positions, is essential for this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a working knowledge (level C) required. Candidates must also have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official FAO language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is important for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at FAO headquarters. It is a full-time role, and candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined in the job description. The role involves significant interaction with various stakeholders, including UN entities, civil society, and private sector partners, and may require travel for field missions and international meetings.