Deputy Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF)

• 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.

Organizational Setting

The Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF) at FAO provides strategic leadership to drive agrifood system transformation by supporting FAO Headquarter,  decentralized offices, Members and partners in taking a systems approach to policy, programmes and projects, including through normative products, methods and tools; documentation and collective learning of systems approaches; and support for implementation at the national and subnational level. It also works to deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, including through the Joint FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programme and support to the strengthening of national food control systems.

The position is located in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy Director reports to the Director, ESF.

Summary of Duties and Functions

The Deputy Director oversees the implementation of the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision, focusing on a systems approach to agrifood system transformation. He/she oversee the identification and execution of strategic priorities, management of activities undertaken, ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinate work in the different areas, as appropriate. In particular: 

• Oversee the day-to-day execution of ESF’s operational activities to advance a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation, including planning, supervising, tracking and monitoring progress to ensure alignment with strategic goals, country needs and deadlines, providing guidance and support to team leads and facilitating internal coordination. 
• Manage the engagement between ESF and decentralised offices, to ensure ESF activities meet the needs of countries. 
• Provide technical oversight to ensure technical assistance to field projects and policy support is of high quality and advances a systems approach. 
• Ensure the workplan and operational activities of the food safety team deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031. 
• Manage the preparation and reporting on the ESF biennial workplan in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work. 
• Support learning and development for team leads and members and fosters cross-team collaboration. 
• Support the Division Director in ESF management, administration, budget management, resource mobilization and partnership development. 
• Lead the ESF Publications Committee, ensuring preparation of normative products, methods and tools align with strategic goals and that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive evidence and data. 
• In collaboration with the Director, lead and supervise the organization of Divisional meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues; manage the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Contribute to efforts to recruit personnel, taking due account of geographical balance as appropriate; manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision. 
• Lead, coordinate and/or participate in Organization-wide working groups or committees, as appropriate. 
• Represent the Division and/or participate in internal, international, regional or national meetings. 
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Director.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in subject relevant to agrifood systems, including but not limited to food policy, agricultural sciences, food security, agribusiness, global development, public health, geography, systems dynamics, nutrition, sociology or economics.   
• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience working on the topic of agrifood systems such as agriculture, nutrition, food safety, value chains, urban agrifood systems or rural development, with specialization in the role of agrifood systems. 
•  Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). 
• Commitment to a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation. 
• Proven experience of operational leadership in the field of agrifood systems, executing strategy across teams through planning, implementation and monitoring progress to align operational activities to strategic goals. 
• Experienced people manager and team lead, with proven experience in managing teams for timely and effective delivery of operational activities and building staff and personnel capacities and skills to deliver. 
• Experience in leading collaborative programmes and projects across different teams. 
• In-depth experience of executing operational activities at country level, such as policy support and/or field projects. 
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills of a high-order with maturity and the ability to apply judgment in the exercise of professional independence and to manage complex and/or sensitive issues with diplomacy and confidentiality. 
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people from different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.

Desirable technical/functional skills/knowledge and experience 

• Familiarity and/or experience with the UN system or similar international institutions. 
• Extent and relevance of academic degrees. 
• Experience in resource mobilization, including coordinating project proposals for funding and interacting with donors and funding agencies.

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.

Leadership Competencies
Results focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework - Leading, engaging and empowering others: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential - Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication - Partnering and Advocating: Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organization’s work - Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others - Strategic thinking: Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies. 

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