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.
The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e., to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.
Reporting Lines
The Senior Strategy Advisor reports to the Director of the Office of Innovation (OIN).
Technical Focus
The incumbent is required to provide high-level strategic advisory services to support OIN’s efforts in fundraising, partnerships, and innovation strategy implementation.
The advisor will play a critical role in strengthening OIN’s functions and coordinating communications efforts to reinforce the Office’s brand and engagement strategy. The incumbent the various units leveraging expertise in frontier technology including Artificial Intelligence (AI), the incumbent will also guide strategic aspects of emerging technologies and AI-related initiatives, providing insights into the science, development, and implementation of these technologies, while continuing to offer advisory support across key thematic areas and initiatives.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support the Director in enhancing resource mobilization efforts by strengthening strategic approaches to engage with donors and partners, crafting persuasive materials, and ensuring a cohesive process to secure funding and build meaningful partnerships, including ensuring the alignment from proposal to implementation.
• Provide coordination capacity on the communications resources to develop OIN’s brand, enhance visibility, and craft materials that effectively communicate OIN’s goals to potential donors, partners and internal/external stakeholders.
• Assist in creating talking points and materials for key engagements.
• Advise the OIN team on high-priority thematic areas, including, but not limited to, those of digital/AI, Venture Funds, incubation/acceleration activities, ensuring alignment with FAO’s strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic and technical expertise in AI, guiding FAO’s approach to AI applications in Agrifood systems. Offer deep insights into AI technologies, their development, and practical use cases, ensuring FAO’s initiatives are informed by cutting-edge knowledge and global trends, building impactful AI initiatives that are fit-for-purpose.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, 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
• University degree in International Development, Innovation Management, Business Administration or related studies or any other relevant degree.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in developing and implementing innovation strategies, managing complex multi-stakeholder projects, or designing programmes in the fields of agricultural innovation, agroecology, or rural development.
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in fundraising, partnership development, and project proposal writing, particularly with major donors.
• Extent and relevance of experience in synthesizing strategic documents for internal and external audiences, with a focus on alignment with organizational frameworks and donor expectations.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with technical units and multi-disciplinary teams to enable innovation and change.