IndirizzoOrganizational Setting
The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme's Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.
The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Deputy Director reports to the Director of the Office of Innovation (OIN).
Summary of Duties and Functions
Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Office of Innovation (OIN), theDeputy Directorwill support the management responsibility for the Division, including strategic vision, advice, planning, and implementation of the Division’s programme of work as well as the efficient management of its human and financial resources. In particular, he/she will:
- Assist the Director in preparing the work programme of OIN, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
- Support the scaling up of innovative work across the Organization, including mechanisms to promote and incentivize innovations, supporting the implementation of the Science and Innovation Strategy.
- Provide leadership in upscaling FAO’s innovation and acceleration programme.
- Oversee the planning, management, and coordination of selected OIN workstreams.
- Provide strategic advice and direction for developing and implementing OIN’s Communication Strategy to effectively communicate OIN’s work within and outside the Organization.
- Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to FAO Governing Bodies in particular on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate.
- Foster effective dissemination and promotion of FAO Innovations, lessons learned, and learnings, enhancing OIN’s visibility and demonstrating the impact of its work.
- Support effective internal communication within OIN and promote knowledge sharing, intra-office cooperation, and learning.
- Collaborate with innovation centres of other relevant international organizations and with FAO’s innovation teams at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
- Promote the application of innovative approaches in programme and project management and resource mobilization efforts.
- Contribute to strengthening partnerships and engage with the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and research centres.
- Contribute to supporting FAO’s corporate resource mobilization strategy.
- Lead, coordinate and/or participate in Organization-wide working groups or committees.
- Represent OIN and/or participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise on issues or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
- Contribute to the efficient and effective management of OIN’s financial and human resources.
- Manage day-to-day matters when the OIN Director is absent and, in this capacity and as needed, liaise with relevant stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced University degree in economics, business administration, social sciences, political sciences, or entrepreneurship, and innovation or other related fields.
- Minimum twelve years (12) of relevant experience in innovation management within the public or private sector;
- Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
- Demonstrated experience in leading innovation, modernization, and digitalization of processes, instruments, and systems;
- Demonstrated management and strategic leadership skills;
- Proven analytical abilities and excellent writing skills as demonstrated in past work products (analytical reports, quantitative analysis, operative models, and/or published papers);
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of Agriculture and Food Systems;
- Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, including coordinating project proposals for funding and interacting with donors and funding agencies;
- Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
