Coordinator (Governance And Policy Support)

Organizational Setting

The Governance Unit (DDCGD) provides overall corporate leadership in the technical area of Governance analysis, and leads the Complements (Governance, Institutions and Human Capital) Accelerator in the new Strategic Framework.

The unit coordinates technical networks in governance and policy support, and curates the FAO Governance and Policy Gateway, a searchable, continuously updated Internet portal providing comprehensive external access to the whole of FAO policy resources.

FAO is actively engaging in UN country level repositioning for SDG achievement, participating in the negotiation and formulation, as well as in the annual updates, of Common Country Assessments (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF).

In this context, FAO, under the technical leadership of the Economic and Social Development stream and in close coordination with all headquarters technical units and decentralized offices, is implementing FAO's Analytical Support Mechanism for Agrifood System Country Programming and Evidence (SCOPE), a mechanism for scaling up the needed human resource analytical and technical expertise in support of the CCA/UNSDCF process at country level. The effort draws upon FAO's specialized tools and analytical methodologies, including sectoral, to propose specific solutions tailored to the country needs and potentials, to ensure a robust UNSDCF Theory of Change that positions FAO as the premier agrifood systems player in the UN system. SCOPE has demonstrated value in bridging FAO's technical expertise with the UN integrated programming approach in the pilot phase of 2024-2025. As we move into the consolidation phase in the biennium 2026-2027, SCOPE is well positioned to serve as a catalyst for decentralizing analytical capacities. This transition represents a critical opportunity to further institutionalize evidence-based approaches within FAO's programming and policy dialogue, enhancing organizational relevance and impact within the UN development system.

The position is located in the Governance Unit (DDCGD) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Coordinator (Governance And Policy Support) reports to the Chief Economist.

Technical Focus

Coordination of cross-organizational corporate undertakings to improve the quality and impact of economic social policy, and support for governance analysis in areas of FAO mandates, and development of corporate technical and applied analysis of governance issues.

Key Results

Develops, implements and evaluates effective leadership and management of major projects and teams in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective action; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up action;

• Performs specific assignments by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan that the client will use to manage the change;

• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources;

• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;

• Generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;

• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications;

• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documents and presentations;

• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;

• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries;

• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).

Specific Functions

• Implements the strategic vision of SCOPE, drawing on the relevant areas of FAO’s multidisciplinary technical competence, jointly with the headquarters’ technical unit across different streams.

• Provides technical guidance and backstopping on analyses, approaches, methodologies, tools, databases, as well as outputs to be produced by the specialists.

• Develops and conceptualizes the outputs for SCOPE, including Levels 1, 2 and 3 analyses, building on contributions from the Data Platform and other headquarters state-of-the-art tools.

• Ensures coherence and complementarity between the outputs that are created, and conducts quality control over the content and implementation of all outputs produced by the specialists (i.e. situation analyses, data platform, country studies and deep dives, translation of recommendations to regional and country levels, etc.).

• Documents innovative approaches in global scientific research papers.

• Formalizes coordination structures involving headquarters and decentralized offices.

• Monitors, reports on, and ensures the cost-effective use of human and financial resources.

• Coordinates events and workshops aimed at fostering internal alignment, organizational development, and individual learning.

• Represents SCOPE towards strategic partners and stakeholders and facilitates successful working relationships.

• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices, and increases policy dialogue from SCOPE.

• Provides technical expertise at international meetings and global events. Ensures an effective “One FAO” approach by supporting collaboration across headquarters units and regional and country technical teams; across regions for sharing successes and challenges; and with other partners inside and outside the Organization.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Agriculture, International or Business Administration, Law, International Development and any other discipline strongly related to the work of the Organization.

• Seven years of relevant professional experience project or programme management, administration as well as development cooperation, partnership and/or policy development including in a large multidisciplinary national or international organization.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge sharing and continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

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

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme coordination.

• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting a corporate/divisional level executive management within an intergovernmental organization.

• Knowledge of results-based management methods and experience in their application.

• Extent and relevance of experience in governance and policy analysis, including, global issues, institutions and governance processes relevant to food security and nutrition.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and conduct governance and policy analysis and programme development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in trade/finance/investment issues, including issues of international trade, market regulation and structure would be an asset.

• Extent and relevance of academic qualifications.