FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 2258-SNE
Deadline For Application: 16 December 2009
Position Title Senior Investment Officer
Duty Station Tunis
Grade Level P-5
Duration Fixed Term: 3 years
CCOG Code: 1E02
Organizational Unit Subregional Office for North Africa SNE

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for North Africa and the functional guidance of the Director, Investment Centre Division (TCI), in close collaboration with other members of the Multidisciplinary Team, to be responsible for the identification, formulation and supervision/evaluation of investments in agriculture and rural development, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation, for national and external financing, and for delivering capacity building to national governments for investment planning and design in the aforementioned fields. Specifically, to:

  • lead or participate in the provision of assistance to governments for the elaboration or review of sector/subsector policies in natural resources management, biodiversity conservation and rural development in general, as well as the formulation of national programmes and action plans in these areas;
  • advise governments in the preparation of natural resources management, biodiversity conservation and rural sector/subsector strategies, and in the identification of appropriate development policies as a basis for dialogue between governments and financing institutions or donors;
  • lead or participate in teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment projects/programmes in the fields of agriculture and rural development, natural resources management, and biodiversity conservation, and participate in the pre-appraisal and appraisal missions led by international financing institutions;
  • lead or participate in teams for project supervision/implementation support and preparation of project completion reports for investment operations (projects, programmes and direct budget support);
  • prepare clear and concise reports following requirements of the World Bank and other international financing institutions, including for access to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds managed by a number of them;
  • advise the Subregional Coordinator in organizing field missions; advise on the selection of consultants for short- and medium-term technical assistance projects in the aforementioned thematic areas, prepare terms of reference and supervise their work;
  • formulate and deliver capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening national investment planning and implementation capacity regarding rural development, and in particular the aforementioned thematic areas;
  • promote increased impact of FAO technical assistance to member countries;
  • perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced university degree in agronomy, agricultural economics or a closely related field, with emphasis on Natural Resources Management and biodiversity conservation
  • Ten years of relevant experience in the formulation and implementation of agriculture and rural development, and specifically natural resources management/biodiversity conservation programmes and projects, in addressing environmental issues and in delivering capacity building in investment programme planning in these thematic areas, including experience in developing countries and/or countries in transition;
  • Working knowledge (level C) of French and English.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent and relevance of experience in participating in and leading multidisciplinary teams dealing with agriculture and rural development, and natural resources management/biodiversity conservation project formulation for international financing institutions and other agencies (including for GEF funding), in countries of the subregion or other developing countries or countries in transition
  • Extent and relevance of experience in conducting analytical work on agriculture and rural development, natural resources management and biodiversity issues;
  • Knowledge of capacity building techniques in the field of investment planning for agriculture and rural development, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation; knowledge of GEF requirements and procedures;
  • Ability to work effectively in and lead multidisciplinary teams;
  • Ability to plan and conduct investment formulation tasks and capacity building exercises;
  • Good communications skills, both orally and in writing, in French and English;
  • Knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.

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

Level P-5 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 102,200 US$ 117,684 (without dependants) and from US$ 110,010 to US$ 127,716 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2258-SNE
Mr C. Gregorio, Chief, TCIE, Investment Centre Division
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 55183
E-mail: VA-2258-SNE@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. 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

  Post Number: N105565