Technical Adviser

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The position is located in the FAO Representation in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the incumbent will work as a Technical Adviser for FAO’s engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States to implement the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project ‘Climate Resilient Agriculture in Somalia’. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Project Management Unit (PMU) core team of Technical Specialists will be technically led by a Technical Adviser, who coordinates with the National Project Coordinator on administration, management, finance and logistics related matters.

Technical Focus
The Technical Adviser will provide guidance to the PMU team in various technical areas in relation with Environment and Climate Change and more specifically: (i) landscape management and restoration, (ii) natural resource management (water, forest and pasture), (iii) development of agricultural production and agricultural value chains with a specific focus on maize, sorghum and sesame, (iii) policy implementation and coordination, and (iv) climate services. The Technical Adviser will provide guidance on the implementation strategy to ensure project effectiveness and efficiency. Within the implementation strategy, he/she will be responsible for elaborating a targeting strategy to achieve timely outcomes and outputs.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
• Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities, reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions
• Oversees technical and operational implementation of Ugbaad Project activities, leading multi-disciplinary teams, committees and working groups.
• Serves as a key liaison, managing communications with the FAO Budget Holder (FAO-BH), FAO Somalia, GCF and other governmental bodies, relaying essential updates to improve project outcomes.
• Acts as Secretary for the Project Steering Committee (PSC), organizing meetings, taking minutes and providing periodic project updates.
• Ensures synergy and regular documented communication among Ugbaad’s project partners, including government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private and academic sectors.
• Leads and updates project plans, budgets and financial records, coordinating closely with the National Project Coordinator, ensuring compliance with operational and financial protocols.
• Drives gender-sensitive and environmentally sound implementation, coordinating closely with the Gender and Environmental & Social Safeguard Specialists.
• Approves technical, financial and procurement reports; oversees monitoring and evaluation processes, and integrates PSC feedback into reports before submission.
• Guides Ugbaad’s knowledge management, field mission activities, grievance handling and closure processes, ensuring compliance with agreements and reporting standards.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), natural resources management, environment and climate change or related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official 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.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.