Senior Finance and Insurance Specialist

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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 person 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational 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 post is located in the Office of the Chief Economist at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Finance and Insurance Specialist reports to the FAO Chief Economist and works in close collaboration with the Divisions/Offices/Centres under his direct supervision and with other units and Decentralized Offices across the Organization

Technical Focus

Provide technical, operational and partnership liaison support and advice in line with the activities and objectives of the Chief Economist and issues related to Insurance, blended financing, innovative financing solutions and capital markets.

Tasks and responsibilities

Technical and Operational advice on investment, innovative financing, insurance as well as partnership building in accordance with Divisional/Office/Centre objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework, in particular:

• Lead and advise on the design and operationalization of a financing facility and self-insurance fund.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to assist in the identification, assessment and implementation of investment operations, innovative and blended financing in the fields of food security, nutrition and agrifood systems.
• Coordinate insurance product development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends.
• Test the feasibility of a disaster risk financing structure to respond to an early food crisis with significant efficiencies and cost savings.
• Deploy resources to operationalize the recommendations in creating the recommended disaster risk financing structure.
• In collaboration with an expert group identify and assess the types of market-ready insurance products and triggers needed for insurable risks.
• Build public-private partnership for financing and innovative methods to expose funds to risk (self-insurance mechanisms and reinsurance arrangements),
• Lead the work on a Financial Optimization Tool to be created to support active management of blended finance sources.
• Conduct an analysis will also investigate the alternative which could be a self-insurance fund that uses economic capital to facilitate premium retention.
• Guide strategic management and financial aspects and growth trajectory
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in international development, finance, risk management, political science and/or fields related to agriculture, food security and nutrition.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in insurance, financial innovation, capital market and blended financing.
• Working knowledge of English. Another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be considered as an asset.

FAO Core 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, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of outreach, editorial work, advocacy efforts for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including substantive experience in issues related to food security, nutrition and agrifood systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in writing, drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare outreach materials, review of technical documents, and contribute to drafting of publications.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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