The primary goal of FAO Country Offices is to aid governments in creating policies, programs, and projects that secure food security and diminish hunger and malnutrition. They also support the development of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources.

This post is located in the FAO Representation in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) but working with independence and initiative and applying knowledge of local socio-economic conditions, language and institutions, the incumbent will perform a range of normative, operational and programming tasks in support of the activities of the FAO Representation in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

Programme development and management, coordination and operational support based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Effective and efficient management and coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

• Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at interagency meetings as required.

• Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and supports the implementation of FAO’s regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.

• Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO’s corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.

• Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks, such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

• Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals; monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.

• Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided.

• Performs other duties as required.

• National of the country of assignment.

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, business administration and management, international relations or any other field related to the work of the Organization.

• Five years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture and/or project implementation in an area of FAO’s activities in the country.

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) (English).

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.

• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development OR extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.

• Limited knowledge of the local languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba is desirable.).