Social Policy Officer (Decent Rural Employment)

The Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) leads FAO’s work on inclusivity, poverty reduction and gender equality and equity within the principle of leaving no one behind and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and is responsible for mainstreaming poverty reduction and economic inclusion throughout the programme of work of the Organization. ESP works with and supports Members and development partners to reduce rural poverty and assure inclusive rural transformation and gender equality and equity through strengthening social protection systems, diversifying rural economic opportunities and promoting decent employment, reducing gender gaps and other social inequalities as well as the impacts of covariate shocks (climate change, extreme events and economic, social and environmental impacts) in agriculture, empowering rural women, strengthening producer organizations, improving the rural poor’s access to natural and productive resources as well as rural services, and achieving the overall goal of realizing the human right to adequate food for all.

The post is located in the Decent Rural Employment Team (DRET) of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Social Policy Officer (Decent Rural Employment) reports to the Senior Officer/Team Leader of the Decent Rural Employment Team, ESP.

Technical Focus

Promote decent rural employment, and lead and coordinate FAO’s work on promoting decent work and labour market improvements in agrifood systems.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications, and services in alignment with the Organization’s Policy on Gender Equality.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams and short-term work groups, leads and/or participates in Division/Departmental teams, participates in Organization-wide committees, project teams, and working groups and provides specialized expertise on international technical networks and or technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Supports the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment in FAO’s work, including the disaggregation of data by sex and age where appropriate, in accordance with the FAO Policy on Gender Equality.
• Develops technical, statistical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related tools, methodologies, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programmes of work, products, projects, and services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities, from a gender perspective, to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative cross-sector approaches, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to requests and provides technical/policy advice, assistance and solutions to Regional, Subregional, and Country Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Promotes international cooperation and collaboration, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings and conferences.
• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing, the organization of training workshops, seminars, and meetings as well as the development of related materials and on-line tools and information kits.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy and cross-divisional plans.

Specific Functions

• Contributes to the coordination of FAO’s work on promoting decent work and labour market improvements in agrifood systems, including technical supervision of consultants and other team members working on decent rural employment.
• Provides policy and technical support to FAO Members for the development and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes and projects to promote decent rural employment in agrifood systems.
• Contributes to building evidence, good practices and lessons learnt to improve the understanding of the policies, approaches and institutional contexts, as well as of sectoral (agricultural) solutions that support decent work and rural labour market conditions.
• Carries out and guides quantitative/analytical research in support of decent rural employment, to identify approaches and solutions to overcome core challenges rural populations are facing in accessing decent employment opportunities in rural labour markets. Identifies, develops and actively participates in and monitors strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders to promote decent rural employment and labour market improvements at global, regional and national level.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economic development, agricultural economics, labour economics, or other related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in policy assistance and programme development and management in the field of rural development and/or rural employment/labour markets in agrifood systems.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate -–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.
• Extent of knowledge and experience in providing policy support and technical assistance as well as programme/project development and management in the fields of agriculture and/or rural development and/or rural employment with relevance for promoting decent jobs in agrifood systems in developing countries.
• Level of knowledge of decent rural employment and rural labour markets and demonstrated experience in promoting solutions to challenges that different population groups face in accessing decent jobs in agrifood systems.
• Extent of experience in the quantitative, qualitative and policy analysis of decent rural employment and rural labour markets.
• Ability to successfully negotiate on sensitive subjects with governments and stakeholders and experience working in the UN and/or other international organizations, including inter-agency collaboration, is considered an asset.
• Publications on relevant topics related to decent work, rural employment and labour markets in the context of value chain and agrifood systems development, and inclusive rural transformation.

Job Posting

04/Dec/2023

Closure Date

15/Jan/2024, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

ESP

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-4

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number

0242446

CCOG Code

1L

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.