Senior Policy and Programme Specialist

Job Description
Senior Policy and Programme Specialist

Job Type: Consultant – Non‑staff opportunity

Location:

Rome, Italy

Duration: 4–11 months

Organizational Setting:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, supporting transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

Job Purpose:

The Senior Policy and Programme Specialist will provide policy and programme support for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of a portfolio of projects, primarily the “Support to Mediterranean Dialogue to Tackle the Food Crisis,” and will support FAO Food Coalition initiatives to strengthen the resilience of agrifood systems.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Policy and Programme Specialist reports to the Senior Technical Officer and works closely with the Office of the Chief Economist, relevant divisions and decentralized offices.

Technical Focus
Provide overall technical, coordination, project and programme support to the Office of the Chief Economist in line with selected activities, objectives and priorities.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Coordinate and lead the implementation and operational delivery of programme and project activities, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and donor requirements.

Facilitate collaboration across technical units and departments to mobilise expertise, resources and strategic partnerships.

Design, develop and implement policy‑related initiatives, including policy dialogue processes and multi‑stakeholder engagement mechanisms at national, regional and global levels.

Support the implementation of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.

Monitor programme and project implementation, including progress against work plans, budgets, and contractual arrangements, and contribute to timely reporting for management and funding partners.

Coordinate administrative and operational processes related to project delivery, including partnership agreements, procurement actions, consultant management and contractual documentation.

Prepare technical and briefing materials, reports, presentations and other knowledge products to support decision‑making, policy engagement and programme visibility.

Maintain effective communication and collaboration with government counterparts, development partners, research institutions, private sector actors and other stakeholders to promote programme objectives and ensure coordinated implementation.

Represent the programme in internal and external meetings, conferences and events, and contribute to knowledge exchange and partnership‑building efforts.

Participate in recruitment and talent management processes, including serving on evaluation panels and supporting selection procedures in accordance with organisational policies.

Perform other related duties as required to support the effective delivery of programme and organisational priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of relevant working experience.

Advanced university degree recognised by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agricultural economics, business administration, development economics, political science, social sciences or a related field; consultants with a bachelor’s degree require two additional years of relevant professional experience.

Working knowledge of English is required; limited knowledge (B level) of another FAO official language is an advantage.

Technical / Functional Skills

Extensive and relevant experience in project management and policy support related to food security, nutrition and agrifood systems.

Ability to multitask and prioritise work.

Demonstrated knowledge of international working and communication practices, and governance and business structures in developing countries.

Ability to plan and organise work, deliver results and meet deadlines.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other Information
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations with a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status.

#J-18808-Ljbffr