ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Europe, Central Asia, Near East, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Service (TCIC)
DURATION: Fixed-term, 2 years Investment Centre Division, TCI
POST NUMBER: 0799998 Technical Cooperation Department, TC
CCOG CODE: 1E
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Investment Centre Division (TCI) promotes investment in food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development (FSNARD), sustainable natural resource management (NRM) and climate change mitigation and/or adaptation (CCM/A) in developing countries and countries in transition, assisting governments and country stakeholders, main development partners, in particular international financing institutions with the strategic planning and implementation of their investments to achieve growth, poverty alleviation, food security and nutrition goals.
TCI is a multidisciplinary division composed of three regionally focused services, namely Africa Service, Asia and the Pacific Service, and Europe, Central Asia, Near East, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Service, as well as FAO's coordination uni t for the Global Environment Fund (GEF). The post is located in TCIC.
Reporting lines
The Senior Economist reports to the Chief, Europe, Central Asia, Near East, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Service. Technical Focus Design, implementation support and evaluation of investment operations (projects and programmes) in FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A, as well as strategic and policy work, with a focus on financial and economic aspects, including to create an enabling environment for private sector investment development.
Key Results
Provision of technical advice and capacity development for (i) the design of investment operations, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to mobilize resources for FSNARD, NRM, and CCM/A; and (ii) implementation support and evaluation of investment operations, in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
- Leads, or participates in, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment operations in the fields of FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A, and participate in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions.
- Leads, or participates in, multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment operations.
- Advises governments in the preparation of FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A studies and strategies, and in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes.
- Advises on developing inclusive and sustainable food systems, involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, civil society organizations and government.
- Leads the formulation and delivery of capacity development strategies and activities in the areas of FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A investment support to government staff, and non-state actors and private sector organizations.
- Prepares reports in accordance with government and financing partners' requirements.
- Advises on task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs.
- Represents the Organization at international and inter-governmental meetings and conferences, advocates for strategic partnerships, best practices and effective policy dialogue; develops and negotiates effective working relationships and agreements with international and national partners.
- Leads or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
- Provides guidance, mentoring and advice to junior staff. Specific functions
- Provides substantial contributions for the design of investment operations, such as the development of the project logical/results framework, the monitoring and evaluation system, and the costing of investment operations.
- Determines the feasibility and viability of investment proposals through reviewing market prospects, prices, costs and risks, and carrying out financial and economic analysis.
- Advises on the performance of investment projects or programmes during implementation and their impact after completion, and makes recommendations for enhancing design of future operations.
- Advises on investment implications of FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A policies, national plans and programmes, including poverty alleviation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced University degree in economics, agricultural economics, natural resources economics, agribusiness management or a closely related field
- Ten years of relevant experience in the practical application of economic analysis to development issues, including analytical studies, and/or in the design and implementation support of FSNARD, NRM and/or CCM/A investment operations, and elaboration of feasibility studies in developing countries and/or countries in transition
- Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian
Competencies
- Results focus
- Leading, engaging and empowering
- Communication and advocacy
- Partnering and resource mobilisation
- Knowledge sharing and continuous Improvement
- Strategic thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
- Extent and relevance of experience in leading, or participating in, multidisciplinary teams for the design, implementation support or evaluation of FSNARD, NRM and CCM/A investment operations, with focus on financial and economic aspects;
- Extent and relevance of experience in FSNARD, NRM, and/or CCM/A analytical studies and programme evaluation and/or in leading public-private policy dialogue to promote investment
- Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO's main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the International Funds for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the GEF
- Extent of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of FSNARD, NRM and/or CCM/A investments
- Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders
- Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English and Russian
- Relevance of experience in Europe, Central Asia, Near East, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions
- Ability to work under pressure and willingness to travel frequently to developing or transition countries
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.
- As part of the evaluation of your application for this position, you may be requested to undergo written assessment, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Your application will be screened based on the information you have entered in your iRecruitment profile (see below under the How to Apply section). Before applying for a vacancy, we strongly recommend that the information you have provided in all sections of your profile are accurate and complete, including employment record, academic qualifications and skills.
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution that is recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
- Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.
REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete the on-line application. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered. Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT