FAO Senior Policy Officer (FIRST Programme) Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
 

Professional Vacancy Announcement No: IRC3096
 

Issued on: 23 December 2015
 

Deadline for Application: 20 January 2016
 

Position Title: Senior Policy Officer (FIRST Programme)
 

Grade Level: P-5
 

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Kenya
 

 

Duration *: Fixed-term: One year (with possibility of extension)
 

Post Number: unidentified
 

CCOG Code: 1.L.09b * The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
 

Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.
 

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
 

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
 

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.
 

Organizational Setting: Food and Nutrition Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) is a FAO and the European Union partnership programme with the purpose of providing a policy assistance mechanism for improved food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture. 

FIRST is designed to strengthen the enabling environment for food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture in a number of selected priority countries. 

FIRST will be embedded within the FAO’s programme management and coordination structure. 

It will contribute directly to the food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture policy and governance related results envisioned under FAO Strategic Objectives 1 and 2.

The Senior Policy Officer works under the overall technical guidance of FIRST Senior Technical Adviser (ESA) and works in close collaboration with EU Delegation and relevant government ministries/institutions. 

He/she will also coordinate with the Transformation Initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF) and related structures (Transformation Secretariat and Inter-Governmental Secretariat), and with the nutrition related coordination ones (e.g. SUN).
 

Reporting Lines: The Senior Policy Officer reports to the FAO Representative and on technical issues to FIRST Senior Technical Adviser (ES).
 

Technical Focus: Provide leadership, guidance and operational support for results-based policy assistance, capacity development and facilitate policy dialogue around food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. 

Strengthen the enabling environment for food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture in Kenya with a particular focus on:

• Promoting multi-sectoral and inter-governmental dialogue and coordination to develop and implement an agreed agenda and work plan linking sustainable agriculture with food security and nutrition;


• Strengthening national and county governments’ capacities to develop and implement policies, legislation, programmes and investments related to agriculture, food security and nutrition in Kenya;


• Build strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders at national, regional and global level and support donors’ coordination and alignment to national and county level priorities.

Key Results: Development and implementation of coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work supporting member states at country level.
 

Key Functions

• Analyzes global and country specific requirements, support the Transformation Initiative (TI) and the Inter-Governmental Secretariat (IGS) in an in-depth assessment of the policy and institutional framework of Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Kenya, and identify areas for improvements;


• Proposes an action plan of suggested improvements to address identified gaps;


• Leads the preparation of reports to FAO, European Union and Government on progress achieved and issues related to FIRST implementation;


• Advocates strategic partnerships, best practices, and increased policy dialogue;


• Develops and negotiate effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners;


• Provides short-term policy and technical assistance in other countries in the region as part of the FIRST policy network;


• Leads and/or participate in resource mobilization activities;


• Leads the process of economic analysis to show the effects that different existing policy decisions have had on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture;


• Leads the process of economic analysis to show the effects that potential policy decisions could have on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture;


• Assesses the existing human and organizational capacities of national and county governments and develop tailored capacity development plans using appropriate approaches and tools;


• Strengthens FSN information and mapping systems by promoting rationalized and standardized data collection approaches;


• Prepares a detailed plan for assistance in support of policy processes:

1. at national level, in support of the analysis, formulation, review and implementation of agriculture and food security and nutrition policies and programmes


2. at country level, in order to support the domestication of national policies and strategies and the implementation of County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs)

• Manages and supervises the provision of technical and policy assistance at national and country level;


• Supports the establishment of a high level multi sectoral coordination structure in order to provide leadership for decision making on the implementation of county and national policies which relate to food security and nutrition;


• Collaborates with the MAFAP initiative in promoting evidence-based policy decision-making;


• Performs other duties as required.

Candidates will be assessed against the following
 

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, food security and nutrition and/or sustainable agriculture or related area


• Ten years of relevant experience in the economic analysis of policies and advice related to food and nutrition security and/or sustainable agriculture policy


• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies

• Results Focus


• Leading, Engaging and Empowering


• Strong Communications Skills


• Partnering and Advocating


• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement


• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential


• Extent and relevance of experience in economic analysis of policies and advice in the area of food and nutrition security and/or sustainable agriculture policy within the East African Region


• Extent and relevance of experience in resources mobilization

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.


• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

Remuneration
 

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. 

How to Apply
 

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

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