IndirizzoOrganizational Setting
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.
The Land and Water Division (NSL) of FAO foresees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil societies, academic institutions, and the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil, and Water resources are wisely used, conserved, and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition, and human wellbeing. NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to Members in developing policies, programmes, best practices, and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and Water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.
Under the new FAO Conceptual Framework for integrated Land and Water resources management, NSL will work towards a core set of five integrated and strategic objectives and action areas that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic areas of land, water, soils, and geospatial areas of work of the Division: (1) Good governance; (2) Wise use and restoration; (3) Mitigation and resilience; (4) Integrated solutions; (5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.
The position is located in the Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Deputy Director reports to the Director, NSL.
Summary of Duties and Functions
Under the overall guidance of the Director, Land and Water Division (NSL), the Deputy Director will assist with the day-to-day management of the Division. She/he will support the Director in providing strategic, managerial and technical leadership for the work of the Division and to facilitate the management of corporate, divisional and inter-divisional activities. In particular, the incumbent will:
- Support the Director in the overall management responsibility including planning for the Division’s programme of work, ensuring quality control, progress monitoring and reporting, promoting coherence between FAO works on land, soils and Water resources in countries and regions; harmonizing with other FAO programmes, ensuring the technical quality of the normative and operational work and ensuring cost-effective use of financial and human resources, within the framework of the FAO Strategic Framework and the Medium Term Plan, as per results-based management;
- Handle day-to-day matters in the absence of the Director;
- Represent NSL on behalf of the Director internally and externally, as needed;
- Coordinate and advise technical teams in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of work plans within the FAO Strategic Framework; stimulate and guide discussion of substantive matters in relevant teams of the Division;
- Promote innovation, science and technology, in particular geographic information systems and remote sensing, in the land, soil and Water sectors, in cooperation with public, private, academia and civil society;
- Ensure effective collaboration with other divisions, centres, other units of the FAO headquarters, and decentralized offices, on technical and managerial issues related to land, soil and Water;
- Support the liaison, communication and coordination with FAO Members, UN agencies, other global, regional, and national bodies including civil society; identify and analyse opportunities for enhancing support to FAO Members in the areas of work of the Division;
- Develop programmes and projects, develop strategic partnerships and mobilize extra-budgetary resources for delivering the strategic objectives pertinent to the Division;
- Enable a highly motivated and effective work force through effective recruiting, mentoring and coaching, supporting staff’s career development and capacity development, and managing performance;
Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in land, soils or water resources management, natural resources, environmental sciences, agriculture or related fields; a PhD in land, soil or water resources management is highly desirable.
- Minimum twelve years of postgraduate professional experience in natural resources management with focus on land, soil or water;
- Proven experience in programme and project development for land, soil or water management, leading successful resources mobilization and partnerships;
- Proven management competency and leadership in leading effectively a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
- Proven competency in working with multi-stakeholders, mobilizing partnership and resources for works in land, soil and Water resources;
- Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and a limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
