Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) 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 Divisions, Centres and Offices at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.
The Rural Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains (RP1) is one of four main regional priorities within the Regional Office. The programme focuses on enhancing productivity and income of small-scale farmers, focusing on youth employment and women empowerment, and the development of inclusive value chains. It adopts an integrated approach focusing on boosting agricultural productivity, the promotion of decent rural employment and an inclusive economic growth that benefits farming communities in the region.
To support this work, the Regional Office is looking for qualified specialists in rural development, with a special focus on the thematic areas of entrepreneurship, institutions, services and employment.
Reporting Lines
The Rural Development Specialist (Entrepreneurship, Institutions, Services and Employment) will work under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Lead of RP1 on Rural Transformation in collaboration with relevant technical colleagues in the Regional Office and HQ Technical Divisions including the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP) division.
Technical Focus
The position entails support to the implementation of the RP1 programme of work in the NENA region as well as relevant field projects on the thematic areas of rural entrepreneurship, institutions, services and employment.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Contribute to programme development and design of relevant activities at regional and country levels including the development of relevant project documents, workplans and concept notes
• Contribute to the development and review of relevant regional publications and knowledge products such as fact sheets, technical reports, policy briefs.
• Participate in the organization, implementation and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences including the drafting of relevant documents (concept notes, workshop reports, background documents, etc.)
• Liaise with relevant units in Headquarters and contribute to corporate programmes in the related areas of work; ensure effective communication with Sub-regional and country Offices on related activities and programme
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:
Rural institutions and rural advisory services:
• Support the expansion and institutionalization of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services
• Support the establishment of national-level professional and technical networks on rural advisory services in at least 3 countries
• Support resource mobilization efforts including through resource mapping, partner outreach and proposal development
Entrepreneurship and decent employment:
• Develop a grants operational manual in line with FAO regulations for a grant programme for youth-led agribusiness startups
• Disperse and track at least 40 grants to youth-led agribusiness startups
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in social sciences, agriculture sciences or economics
• At least 2 years of relevant experience (for category C), 5 years (for category B), 10 years (for category A) of relevant experience in data collection and analysis
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French or Arabic
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Work experience in rural development, agriculture and/or advisory services in the Near East and North Africa
• Previous experience working with the UN is a plus
• Experience establishing and coordinating regional networks
• Strong report writing skills