Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, ranking high in terms of vulnerability to natural hazards such as cyclones, floods, and riverbank erosion. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Bangladesh ranked 7th among the top 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events. Cyclonic events remain one of the major natural shocks, which usually occur from April to May and October to November each year. The country’s geographical location, with a 700 km long funnel-shaped coastline along the Bay of Bengal, makes it particularly vulnerable to tropical cyclones. In recent decades, preparedness programmes for cyclones by the government and development partners have been improved substantially in saving lives – yet cyclones cause significant damage to livelihood, assets, and development gains. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), a severe cyclone strikes the country every 3 years on average. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 10 tropical cyclones impacted coastal districts of Bangladesh over the past 32 years (1991 to 2023) including six cyclones with wind speeds exceeding 118 km/h formed in the Bay of Bengal.

Reporting Lines

This is an SC-9 level position and he/she will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the Direct Supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in collaboration with the Deputy FAO Representative and the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) and in consultation with the relevant technical units at FAO headquarters in particular OER and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

Technical focus

The incumbent will lead the design and implementation of project activities for the Emergency and Resilience Unit (ERU) and contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio development as foreseen in the country programme Framework and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

Tasks and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not limited to the followings:

•    Provide strategic guidance and leadership for FAO’s work in emergency and resilience in Bangladesh including preparedness, needs assessment, early response, recovery and rehabilitation, and resilience.
•    Coordinate FAO’s preparedness, response, effective management and reporting to disasters and crises caused by cyclones, floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, etc. in collaboration with the Food Security Cluster, government partners, UN Agencies, NGOs and donors.
•    Lead the identification, formulation and implementation of emergency and resilience projects, preparation of concept notes, project documents and reports related to emergency programming.
•    Represent FAO and provide technical expertise in interagency coordination meetings, Food Security Cluster, Needs Analysis Working Group, working groups Anticipatory Actions Task Force, amongst other;
•    Strongly support resource mobilization activities including corporate appeals, donor engagement, Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF)/Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation (SFERA) proposal preparation and submissions.
•    Establish and maintain good relationships and effective communication with government institutions, UN Agencies, NGOs, donors and other humanitarian actors.
•    Lead the identification of strategic priorities for FAO’s emergency and resilience agenda for effective management of responses to disasters and crises.
•    Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of effective advocacy strategies, as well as the timely dissemination of information and crisis communications in the framework of the FAO’s knowledge management activities.
•    Facilitate the preparation of appeals, briefs and comprehensive reports on FAO priorities and programmes in the country and ensure the timely dissemination of information to key stakeholders, including the Government, donor community, United Nations agencies and NGOs.
•    Manage ERU staff and resources and ensure close linkages with FAO’s Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER) in Rome and emergency team in Bangkok for adequate backstopping support.
•    Ensure timely delivery of approved emergency projects, including funding allocation, letters of agreement, procurement, personnel contracts, prepositioning, reporting and documentation and follow up advocacy for expansion.
•    Provide advisory support to government institutions, humanitarian actors and NGOs to build their disaster management capacity, to strengthen early warning systems and disaster management systems.
•    Any other task assigned by the FAO Representative & Supervisor.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
•    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master’s degree in Agriculture with emphasis on agronomy/crop and food security and nutrition.
•    At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant experiences.
•    Working knowledge of (level C) English
•    National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Working knowledge of Bangla is preferable
•    Good background on crops, cropping systems/farming systems, food security and nutrition;
•    Proficient computer skills – Microsoft Office software, email, internet, spread sheets;
•    Good diagnostic and decision-making skills;
•    Survey designs questionnaire development;
•    Skills in staff management and capacity development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION