Senior Officer (Agricultural Innovation and Society)

ADM213e 06/10
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
PROFESSIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO: OEKD-659-11-PRJ
Issued on:
Deadline For Application: 9 May 2011
POSITION TITLE: Senior Officer
(Agricultural Innovation and Society)
GRADE LEVEL: P-5
DUTY STATION: Rome
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Global Forum on Agricultural Research, GFAR DURATION ∗: Fixed term: 3 years (with
possibility of extension)*
Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and
Extension, OEK
POST CODE/NO: N
CCOG CODE:
Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Executive Secretary, GFAR, the incumbent will lead the planning and implementation of programmes and policies under
the GFAR strategic objective of transforming and strengthening agricultural research for development systems. This entails transforming the capacities and
operational basis of agricultural research-for-development (AR4D) institutions and engaging civil society partners and the private sector more effectively with
public-funded actors, for which the appointee will act as focal point in the GFAR Secretariat. In particular, will:
• Mobilize national and regional partners in mapping and engaging relevant civil society & private sector organizations around the world and explore how
their role in research and innovation systems can be mobilized and strengthened at global and regional levels.
• Facilitate national and regional partners in increasing the relevance and demand-driven nature of innovation systems, institutions and agendas, including
those in fragile states, towards social, economic livelihood and environmental development outcomes.
• Promote a stronger voice for civil society & private sector actors in discussion of issues raised around the future and role of AR4D at regional and global
level and develop partnership actions to address these.
• Catalyse and learn from the effective integration of local innovation and farmer enterprise in transforming research and innovation systems and promote
their active incorporation and dissemination, strengthening the role of innovation brokers in these relationships;
• Stimulate the development and promotion of new measures by which research can be monitored, evaluated and held accountable to partners and end
users against development criteria;
• Facilitate actions to increase the value of agricultural research to women farmers and the opportunities for women in agricultural research-fordevelopment
careers;
• Catalyse actions among education institutions to help promote the value of agricultural careers and shape curricula and reward systems to attract young
people into a wide range of AR4D careers;
• Advocate for increased resources for GFAR and its constituencies in support of these areas;
• Represent GFAR in international meetings;
• Perform other related duties as required.
* Appointment/promotion to this position is for duration of assignment only
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:
• Advanced University Degree in Agricultural or Social Sciences
• Ten years of relevant experience in institutional change and fostering civil society participation in agricultural research/rural development
• Working knowledge of two of the following: English, French, Spanish
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:
• Extent of experience in participatory agricultural research/extension, institutional governance and rural livelihoods/rural development
• Proven experience in the planning, organization and management of institutional reform in agricultural research for development
• Familiarity with and experience in civil society organizations active in the sector (NGOs, farmer organizations and private sector and their aims and
drivers
• Experience in and evidence of diplomatic skills in gaining multistakeholder trust, bridging cultural and societal divides and resolving disputes between
diverse perspectives
• Demonstrated communication skills and ability to inspire engagement among diverse partners
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and mentor the work of others
• Knowledge of and skills in information systems in support of mapping and maintaining active communication with the diversity of stakeholders involved
Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national
and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the
extension of appointments
REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the
following link: http://icsc.un.org/
TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants
Send your application to: V.A OEKD-659-11-PRJ
Executive Secretary, Global Forum on Agriculture Research (GFAR), OEKD
FAO Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 57053898
E-mail: VA-659-11-PRJ-OEKD@fao.org
ADM213e 06/10
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