Chief Technical Adviser, Emergency Operations Service (TCEO)

The Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programmes will be implemented in the Sudan and South Sudan and aim to improve food security policy, planning, programming and decision making in the selected states of the Sudan and South Sudan.

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for Sudan (in Khartoum) or the Head of Office for South Sudan (in Juba), the supervision of the Chief, Emergency Operations Service: Africa, Latin America and Caribbean (TCEO) and in consultation with the relevant FAO Technical Units, the incumbent will establish the operational structure to implement the programme and manage, administer and oversee its implementation in line with FAO's rules and procedures and provide technical assistance. In particular, the incumbent will:

oversee the establishment and the day to day technical activities of the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and the state level Technical Support Units (TSU) in full collaboration with the relevant Government and State authorities; prepare, coordinate and manage detailed work plans/budget for the Programme, monitor and ensure the quality and timeliness of technical assistance and reporting on implementation of work plans; ensure appropriate supervision of the national and international teams working in the PCUs and the State level TSUs, including selection, administration, communication and field operations; provide technical guidance to the programme and to immediate collaborating partners in relation to improved methods and techniques in Food Security Analysis and Early Warning in assessing the overall food security situation in the country in support to the Food Security Council (FSC) where applicable and the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS);develop the strategic direction of the programme at national and state levels, including conceptual frameworks, methods and communication strategies; maintain effective links with Government officials and national/international partners involved in the formulation and implementation of pro-poor food security policies, strategies, programmes, in the short- and longer-term; coordinate the interventions for strengthening the country's capacity to conduct food security related analysis and policy programme development; serve as senior advisor to the FSC, the FSTS and relevant line ministries, and represent FAO at high level meetings on food security policy, programming and monitoring in the country; manage the delivery of advice, assistance and on-the-job training in food security analysis to members of the FSC and FSTS, as well as to relevant line ministries, providing direct advice as appropriate; support collaboration and information-sharing with other relevant on-going FAO programmes in the country with a view to maximizing synergies and identifying partnerships; assure the preparation of required reports perform other related duties as required.

** APPOINTMENT/PROMOTION TO THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARY, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should meet the following:

Advanced University degree in Agricultural Economics , Economics or related field
Ten years of relevant experience in the managerial role in the planning, implementation and monitoring of food security related policies and programmes as well as food security early warning in developing countries
Working knowledge of English

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be assessed against the following:
Extent and depth of knowledge and experience in designing and conducting relevant policy analyses and food security analysis and monitoring work
Demonstrated capacity to support, advise and guide institutional building processes
Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple UN, NGO, governmental ministries, and media
Breadth of management experience and demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work
Experience in the preparation of multi-year plans and budgets
Extent of experience in Africa, and familiarity of the Region
Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English
Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset (latter applicable for Khartoum duty station).

How to apply:

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to: V.A TCEO-747-11-PRJ
Chief, TCEO FAO Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY Fax No: +39 06 5754941 E-mail: VA-747-11-PRJ-TCEO@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization. FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

GUIDELINES TO APPLICANTS

Examine carefully the relevancy of your qualifications by reviewing the Duties & Responsibilities of the position and the requirements that are needed in order to perform the job successfully.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide a completed FAO Personal History Form, found on the Internet site.

Your application should be typewritten (where possible), signed and dated. Clearly indicate in the appropriate box on the Personal History Form and on the front of your application, the title of the post and the Vacancy Number. Submit a separate application for each position for which you are applying. Send your application to the address (mail, e-mail, or fax) indicated on the Vacancy Announcement. Internal candidates should provide 10 copies of their application.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

FILLING IN THE FAO PERSONAL HISTORY FORM

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Please list the languages with which you are familiar, beginning with your mother tongue, indicating the extent of your knowledge as:

Excellent/Good = Working knowledge: You will be expected to work independently using the language required, to prepare a variety of written communications (correspondence, reports, working papers, etc...), to participate actively in meetings and in work-related discussions, etc.

Fair = Limited knowledge: You will be expected to follow work related discussions or meetings, even though you may wish to intervene in another official language. You will be expected to participate in simple conversations, to use the telephone, to read and understand work-related texts and to write simple communications, etc.

Slight

COMPUTER SKILLS

Indicate your word processing skills and knowledge of database/spreadsheet (e.g. Excel, Access), or any other office automation software known and used. If applicable, specify your work experience in data entry/retrieval and programming skills. Indicate knowledge of programming languages and operating systems .

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Starting with the present and going in back in time, please give details of:

Period of study with name and location of the academic institution, Title of study obtained, both in the original language and in English, indicating the subject(s) of specialization and year degree* was/is to be awarded, List any other relevant training or formal education that may be relevant to your application.

If selected for an interview, you will be expected to provide FAO with certified copies of your academic qualifications.

A university degree is a title of study substantiated by at least 3 years of full time study (equivalent to a BA or BSc) from a bona fide institution. An advanced university degree is equivalent to a Masters degree.

EXPERIENCE

Relevant professional experience is counted from the time of attainment of the first relevant degree. Endeavour to demonstrate how your experience meets the requirements of the post.

OTHER INFORMATION

If applicable, give the number of publications and provide a list and the dates of the most relevant publications. Provide samples of written work only upon request.