Advocacy Officer (Family Farming) , Food and Agriculture Organization

Organizational Setting

The Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development Division (OPC) provides strategic advice and technical support at corporate, global, regional and country levels by managing relationships with non-state actors and engaging in partnerships with them, developing capacities, fostering dialogue, advocating for FAO’s corporate positions; and has lead responsibility for family farmers and their organizations, land tenure, VGGT and RAI.

The post is located in the Advocacy Unit (OPCA), responsible for raising public awareness and promoting multi-stakeholder policy dialogue to improve international policies in the areas of FAO’s mandate. The Unit coordinates FAO's activities on family farming and hosts the secretariat that coordinates the advocacy activities related to UN years facilitated by FAO. OPCA designs advocacy interventions at global, regional and national levels in support of family farming and to close the gender gap in rural areas and agriculture. It promotes the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGTs) and the Principle for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI). Along the same lines, it works to ensure that indigenous communities are consulted regarding proposed actions affecting their livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The Advocacy Officer reports to the Policy Officer, Head of the Advocacy Unit and under the overall guidance of the Director, OPC.

Technical Focus

Contributes to the development and strengthening of advocacy activities in support of family farming and the other advocacy areas under OPC’s responsibilities and to partnerships and initiatives with all the different actors to accomplish FAO's mandate

Key Results

Comprehensive services on advocacy-related initiatives; increase and strengthen advocacy within and outside the Organization, with national, regional and international development partners, NGOs, and private sector to support the implementation of FAO Strategic Objectives and regional initiatives

Key Functions

· Processes, coordinates arrangements, and delivers services;

· Researches and analyses advocacy-related policy and service delivery issues, and prepares related reports;

· Contributes to the development of information and training materials and coordinates and assists in the presentation of information/ training sessions to management and staff;

· Provides information and advice to management and staff;

· Participates in project teams and work groups.

Specific Functions

· Contributes to monitoring and reporting the implementation of OPCA advocacy initiatives at global and regional levels;

· Assists in the implementation of advocacy initiatives, , including information sharing mechanisms and database activities, capacity support to governments, parliaments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in these fields;

· Supports the harmonization of data collection in the Family Farming Knowledge Platform ;

· Assists in the formulation of analysis on family farming in order to mainstream family farming in the international policy agenda;

· Supports demand driven information systems and advocacy activities to allow multi-stakeholder engagement in family farming.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, social sciences, or any field related to FAO's mandate

· Three years of relevant experience in advocacy activities related to family farming, rural development or other areas relevant to FAO’s mandate

· Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

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, particularly in field positions is desirable.

· Extent and relevance of academic qualifications

· Extent and relevance of experience in planning and monitoring advocacy activities and reviewing policy, institutional and/or legal frameworks for family farming in a wide range of cultural and development contexts as well as in monitoring related systems

· Knowledge of family farming policies and approaches

· Extent and relevance of experience in developing advocacy activities and establishing partnerships and networks with relevant partners, (civil society organizations, academia and research centres, intergovernmental bodies, parliaments) for the promotion of family farming

· Quality of both oral and written communications skills and ability to write and/or edit technical documents clearly and concisely in English is considered a strong asset

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.

· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution 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 your online profile. 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