Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, program and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The FAO Representation is organized around three main units, Program, Operations and Administration. The current portfolio of projects in Liberia includes activities related to Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, and is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country’s program and portfolio in support of the FAO Representative.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Specialist will work under the overall and direct supervision of the FAO Representative for Liberia and in close collaboration with the Program/Operations/Administrative Units, in consultation with the relevant Technical Units at FAO headquarters, RAF and SFW, and the Lead Technical Officers.

Technical Focus

The Programme Specialist will contribute to the FAO Liberia programme and portfolio. This includes but it is not limited to the surge of support required for managing the changing priorities from national authorities or major funding partners. The role will entail close liaison with the Country Office Team, Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) based in Dakar, with the Regional Regional Office for Africa Team based in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) in Ghana, and with technical teams FAO headquarters in Rome.

Minimum Requirements

•    Support the coordination and management of the programme/project implementation and activities, including its day-to-day running, ensuring fruitful collaboration among in-country multi-stakeholder engagement frameworks and/or existing arrangements.
•    Provides support to the FAO Representative in leading specialized or multi-disciplinary country team and provides technical leadership in FAO’s contribution towards policy analysis, policy networks and/or international policymaking bodies.
•    Promotes, develops, and implements country-level development and resilience policies, strategies and programmes in close collaboration with subregional teams and partners.
•    Leads the identification of strategic priorities for FAO’s programme agenda, with specific attention to effective management of the Country Programme.
•    Leads the development and promotion of the country office’s resource mobilization strategy and its implementation, including through strong donor liaison, as well as ensures timely reporting on projects to resource partners.
•    Guides the coordination and operational support to programme initiatives related to agriculture in country.
•    Develops strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including line ministries within the Government, United Nations agencies, regional and inter-regional institutions.
•    Facilitates knowledge sharing activities in the country office as well as among member countries and regional/subregional entities.
•    Promotes lessons learning through the documentation and analysis of information and experience in programmes aimed at sharing knowledge and good practices for FAO and interested partners.
•    Coordinates the formulation of project profiles, fully-fledged project documents and ad-hoc reports related to FAO’s programme.
•    Represents the FAO Representative at meetings and forums related to country programming.
•    Performs any other related tasks as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Food Security, Nutrition, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Sustainable Agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in technical cooperation’s related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
•    Working knowledge (proficient level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies    

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building effective relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN agencies, NGO, and government institutions on drought, floods, cyclones triggers development.
•    Work experience in more than one location/country or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
•    Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation’s related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
•    Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams.