Chief, Asia and the Pacific Service CFIB

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO members. It partners with governments, international financing institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre’s four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance.

CFI is a multidisciplinary centre comprising the Director’s office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication, and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; East and Southern Africa; Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and West and Central Africa. 

The position is located in the Asia and the Pacific Service (CFIB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines:

The Chief (CFIB) reports to the Director, FAO Investment Centre (CFI).

Summary of Duties and Functions:

Under the overall guidance of the Director, CFI, and as a member of the Management Team, the Chief (CFIB) will liaise with governments, cooperating partners, FAO Decentralized Offices (DOs), and technical units for the planning and implementation of the work programme in Asia and the Pacific. This will be in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework, Medium-term Plan, and biennial Programme of Work and Budget. The geographical focus will particularly be on Least Developed Land-Locked Countries, Least Developed Small Island Developing States, countries in food crisis, or highly populated countries with sizable populations living in poverty.

Specifically, the incumbent will:

• Ensure the provision of investment and finance support solutions to member countries, including strategic investment planning and policy support, public investments (design and implementation support and evaluation of investment projects and programmes), private investments, and innovative finance.
• Be responsible for the operational planning, implementation, technical supervision, output monitoring, and quality control of the service work programme.
• Oversee the preparation of policy papers, sector studies, project feasibility studies in collaboration with governments, country stakeholders, and financial partners.
• Promote the divisional Knowledge for Investment (K4I) programme aimed at developing knowledge and fostering learning, as well as the Capacity Development for Investment (CD4I) initiative aimed at enhancing country capacities for investment planning and implementation, through the development and dissemination of guidance materials, formal and on-the-job training, and the use of national experts.
• Advocate and promote the work of the Centre with governments and investors including national and international financial institutions and other stakeholders.
• Ensure integration and linkages between the work of the Centre with Decentralized Offices and headquarters units.
• Support FAO member countries in mobilizing public and private investments in collaboration with other responsible units of the Organization.
• Manage a multi-disciplinary team of professional headquarters-based and outposted staff.
• Ensure the recruitment of qualified experts, mentor, coach, and support career development and capacity development of the Service’s staff.
• Represent the Organization in internal and external meetings and serve as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Director.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in economics, agriculture sciences, rural infrastructure engineering, environmental sciences, natural resources management, public management, business administration, public policy and administration or other closely related fields.
• Minimum twelve years (12) of relevant experience in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing sector studies and reviews, policy and strategy development, identification, formulation, implementation support and evaluation of investment projects and programmes in developing and/or transition countries, including knowledge of policies of major IFIs and other development partners.
• Minimum three years of experience in  management/leadership including management of teams, partnerships, budgets, etc.
• Extensive professional experience in delivering investment and finance support solutions in a global context.
• Extensive experience in globally decentralized organizations, including field support.
• Proven negotiation skills and diplomacy.
• Analytical skills and ability to express ideas and concepts clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Experience in working in fast-paced working environment with short deadlines.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Chinese would be an asset.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403137