Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The Technical Adviser provides technical leadership assistance to the Food Security Integrated Programme (FS-IAP). The FS-IAP targets agro-ecological systems in the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the need to enhance food security is directly linked to opportunities for generating local and global environmental benefits. The FS-IAP seeks to contribute to a paradigm shift in African agriculture in the context of policy debates about how to feed a rapidly expanding population, one that emphasizes the importance of natural capital and ecosystem services.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser reports to the Chief Technical Adviser (Lead Technical Officer-LTO). He/she will facilitate liaison between the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and will coordinate the Regional project activities in the countries in accordance with the t expected outcomes as stipulated in the project document.
Key ResultsComprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of departmental/divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with departmental/divisional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives.
Key Functions
Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned Regional programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions;
Assists in the coordination of programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
Assists/supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
Provides advice to the Chief Technical Adviser regarding the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.
Specific Functions
Provides scientific and technical leadership and backstopping to the project teams;Sets up partnerships with policy fora, research and practitioners initiatives in Africa to facilitate policy and science platforms on Integrated Natural Resources Management, land degradation and their nexus with food security and sustainable agriculture;
Provides technical inputs to the preparation of Component 1 flagship publications, regional workshops and training materials;
Reviews the needs analysis of the 12 countries, initially undertaken during the design phase to identify priority themes to be addressed;
Contributes to the development of terms of reference, letters of agreements, work plans in relation to the component implementation and supervises the management of the
Component budget in accordance with the agreed work plan and approved disbursal of project funds;
Prepares progress and final mission/terminal reports to the PCU and Project Steering Committee based on close consultations with all relevant partners;
Performs other duties as required.
go to method of application »
