Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, the direct supervision of FAO REU Land Tenure Officer/Lead Technical Officer of the project and the Legal Officer, the technical supervision of the Legal Officer, Development Law Service, the operational supervision of the Project Budget Holder and in close collaboration with the project team in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and in the FAO Office in Montenegro, the Expert is expected to provide the targeted technical support to the ongoing project.

Technical Focus 

Given its status as European Union (EU) candidate country, Montenegro is in the process of developing the necessary conditions for effectively implementing key EU rural development policies, including related to the LEADER approach (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale – the acronym stands for “links between actions for the development of the rural economy”). Some past initiatives have been implemented for the benefit of raising awareness about community-led local development and five Local Actions Groups (LAGs) have even been initiated by local actors in diverse forms, but without full LEADER related legislation adopted in the country. In order to make the country ready for the implementation of the LEADER approach in accordance with the EU policy and legislation, it is necessary to strengthen capacity and knowledge at national and local levels.
The Expert will support this process through contributing to the implementation of the project Support to creating preconditions for implementation of the LEADER approach (TCP/MNE/4002), which has the overall objectives to strengthen the capacities of the national authorities in Montenegro and to create an enabling environment for implementing the LEADER approach both at national and at local level.

The incumbent’s work impacts the timely and efficient delivery of the EU LEADER approach in Montenegro and will contribute to develop capacities and skills of national authorities for the implementation of the LEADER approach; provide technical and administrative guidance on the harmonization of national policy and legal frameworks with the relevant EU legislation; and contribute to the development of Local Development Strategies of selected Local Action Groups (LAG).

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent shall possess the expertise to conduct the following tasks:

•    Guide the national legal consultant to develop the national legal report. Revise and complement his/her work as necessary to ensure the quality and completeness of the report;
•    Provide technical, legal and administrative support to improve the readiness of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro (MAFWM) and other relevant national authorities on the harmonization of national policy and legal frameworks with the relevant EU legislation;
•    Provide technical and legal guidance for the preparation of the accreditation and implementation of Measure 5 on LEADER under IPARD III;
•    Lead the preparation of the Operational Manual on the LEADER approach in Montenegro in close coordination with the Legal Officer, the National Legal Expert and the FAO REU Team;
•    Prepare a report with a regulatory strategy and concrete recommendations to implement the above;
•    Participate in meetings with relevant MAFWM staff and national authorities to feed into the preparation of the Operational Manual;
•    Contribute to the design LAG Formation Agreements in coordination with national authorities responsible for the LEADER approach implementation;
•    Undertake one backstopping mission and prepare mission report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Law, special training in EU Law would be an asset;
•    At least 5 years of experience with EU policies, regulations and legal frameworks focusing on rural development and the EU LEADER approach;
•    Sound experience in harmonization of national legislation with the EU acquis in EU pre-accession countries;
•    Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Special training in EU Law would be an asset;
•    Experience working with government agencies or EU institutions dealing with EU agriculture and rural development policies and programmes is highly valuable;
•    Experience with the accreditation of IPARD measures is an asset;
•    Excellent oral and written skills in English language
•    Knowledge of the local language is an asset
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements