FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 2183-TCI
Deadline For Application: 3 July 2009
Position Title Rural Sociologist
Duty Station Rome
Grade Level P-4
Duration Three years
CCOG Code: 1L05
Organizational Unit Investment Centre Division (TCI) Technical Cooperation Department (TC)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Investment Centre Division (TCI) promotes investment in agriculture and rural development in developing countries and countries in transition, assisting governments, international financing institutions and other development partners to achieve growth, poverty alleviation and food security.

  • Under the overall supervision of the Director, TCI and the direct supervision of the Chief, Asia and Pacific Service, TCIP, the incumbent will provide technical advice and, as leader or member of multidisciplinary teams, will be responsible for the sociological aspects of agricultural and rural development operations (such as projects and programmes). Specifically to:
  • participate in, and eventually lead, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments and development partners in the identification, preparation, implementation support and evaluation of investment projects in the fields of agricultural and rural development, focusing on sociological aspects;
  • analyse population dynamics, poverty, livelihoods, income sources, levels and distribution, land tenure, access to infrastructure and services, rural institutions, gender roles and other relevant socio-economic factors to define project target groups;
  • formulate investment projects aimed at overcoming specific constraints to development faced by target beneficiaries to ensure
  • their participation in and benefit from project actions and their participation in project management;
  • design, undertake, supervise, and analyze socio-economic surveys and studies of rural livelihood systems within the context of the design, implementation and evaluation of investment programmes and projects and advise on related methodologies;
  • interact with senior government officials, development partners and beneficiaries to facilitate exchange of critical information and validate the findings and recommendations regarding investment proposals;
  • prepare clear and concise reports in line with the requirements of governments and financing partners;
  • assist the Service Chief in selecting and briefing TCI consultant sociologists, drafting terms of reference and in supervising and reviewing their work;
  • act as Divisional Focal Point and liaise with relevant FAO divisions and partner agencies on issues relating to rural livelihoods, community-driven development, community-based Natural Resources Management (NRM), poverty, gender, indigenous peoples, grassroots institution-building and people’s participation;
  • perform other related duties as required.
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • University degree in sociology, anthropology, economics, rural development or a closely-related field, followed by post graduate studies in rural sociology or development/social anthropology
  • Seven years of relevant experience in rural sociology applied to design, implementation or evaluation of agricultural and rural development projects, experience with institutional development, including creation and functioning of common interest groups, community-driven development, rural livelihoods, gender analysis, socio-economic surveys and targeting, and relevant work experience in developing countries
  • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two, or Arabic or Chinese or Russian

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent and relevance of experience related to project design, implementation support or evaluation mission, socio-economic surveys, participatory methods, institutional development, rural livelihoods, poverty and gender analysis, targeting, community-based Natural Resources Management (NRM)
  • Mission leadership experience and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
  • Extent and relevance of experience with the application of sociology and social assessments associated with investment project formulation, particularly for International Financing Institutions (IFIs)
  • Relevance of experience in different geographical areas and familiarity with the Asia and Pacific region
  • Good communication skills, both oral and in writing
  • Working knowledge of the language applicable to the specific region of assignment – in this case English – is 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-4 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 103,427 US$ 126,727 (without dependants) and from US$ 111,067 to US$ 136,872 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2183-TCI
Director, Investment Centre Division
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 54657
E-mail: VA-2183-TCI@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: 0418803