Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the general guidance of the Director, the Principal Advisor, Policy Coordination and Support service, is responsible for the management, planning, administration and implementation of the work of the service. In carrying out her/his duties, he/she will work in close coordination with Technical Departments and in collaboration with the Decentralized Offices. For this, the incumbent will:

• Lead coordination mechanisms between policy work in FAO’s Technical Departments and policy assistance provided to member countries for selected corporate priority policy themes;

• Cooperate with relevant FAO units for the development of methodological and capacity building materials and for the organization of global capacity building activities in the area of strategies and policies for agricultural and rural development;

• Coordinate with and provide technical guidance to Decentralized Offices in their policy assistance and capacity building activities in support to FAO member countries and regional organizations and for the preparation of regional diagnostic studies; 

• Establish and maintain relations with recipient governments and with donor governments, other U.N. agencies, international financial institutions and other development partners with a view to enhancing collaboration and promoting policy assistance, including capacity building in policy development;

• Supervise and guide the overall maintenance of country policy intelligence and coordinate the preparation of country and background notes for Senior Management in close cooperation with relevant units at Headquarters and in the Decentralized Offices;

• Provide required technical guidance to FAO Representatives in the preparation of NMTPFs and related participation in UN and other country processes;

• Supervise the preparation and implementation of the biennial programme of Work and Budget and Annual Work Plan of the service, including identification, guidance, supervision and quality control of the outputs of the service;

• Participate in inter-divisional/departmental and inter-agency activities and represent the Organization at relevant meetings.

• Advanced university degree in agricultural or development economics or natural resources economics or social sciences.

• Extensive professional experience in areas relevant to the post, including experience in the international arena, working in, or in close association with, institutions in developing countries.

• Management and technical leadership of a high order in the relevant subject area.

• Fluency in English, French or Spanish and a working knowledge of any of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

• Ability to develop and maintain professional contacts with government officials. High sense of responsibility.  Well developed communication and analytical skills.

• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.

Single:  From US$ 158 560 to US$ 177 848
Dependent: From US$ 171 544 to US$ 193 888
FAO adheres to the UN common system of salaries, allowances and benefits. General information regarding salaries and allowances can be found at the International Civil Service Commission Web site

Applications, including a full curriculum vitae and Personal History Form (available in MS Word (A4 and letter formats), should be submitted by 07 June 2008 to the Director, Human Resources Management Division (AFH), FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153, Rome, Italy or sent by e-mail to: senior-vacancies@fao.org or faxed to Italy 06-5705 5131

E-mail: TC-Senior-VAs@fao.org