Innovation Officer

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO’s innovative spirit, including innovation of approach and cooperation models and capacity development. The Office of Innovation (OIN) identifies, strengthens and complements priority areas for collective action; ensures that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes; facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units; and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The Innovation Officer (Behavioural Science) reports to the Director, Office of Innovation.

Comprehensive technical expertise and advice on behavioural, cultural and organizational change to support innovation for change within FAO and in agrifood systems.

Design, implement and evaluate effective innovation programmes and projects in accordance with the FAO Innovation Vision and Mission as well as the Strategic Framework.

Key Functions:

• Provides technical expertise and advice to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services.
• Provides programmatic support on the development, implementation of assigned programmes/projects; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties.
• Performs ad hoc assignments, by planning and facilitating workshops, through interactive sessions and by assisting clients with action planning.
• Generates survey initiatives; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Coordinates and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact assessments or equivalent studies.
• Leads the preparation of various written outputs, i.e. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings and conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates and/or leads training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including the provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties in organizing mission activities and drafting mission summaries.
• Provides advice on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions:

• Provides leadership and coordination support to the Office of Innovation (OIN) in order to deliver on FAO’s Science and Innovation Strategy in general and in particular to support streamlining of innovation within and outside of the Organization.
• Coordinates OIN’s services related to offering innovation experiences, innovation journeys, methods and tools aimed at enabling and supporting innovative work of the Organization and by Members.
• Provides technical expertise on opportunities for behavioural science application or other innovative tools and methodologies within FAO’s work streams to contribute to the Organization’s support of the UN Common Agenda, UN 2.0 and the Quintet of Change, liaising with the UN Innovation Network and the Executive Office of the Secretary General as FAO focal point on behavioural science.
• Provides technical expertise, advice, coaching and mentoring in behaviour change analysis, techniques and tools to support behaviour change related to innovation and enhancing FAO’s critical added value.
• Provides strategic communication advice and communication expertise in support of OIN’s initiatives, multi-sector and partner collaborations, as well as national and international knowledge fora, with a particular focus on managing and communicating risks associated with innovation.
• Monitors and advises on global trends in terms of change innovations geared toward enabling sustainable actions and best practices to alleviate challenges affecting agrifood systems and identifying strategic opportunities, with a focus on One Health but also on other areas of interest to FAO.
• Contributes to the development of innovative programmes and behaviour change initiatives in support of agrifood systems and promotes synergies with and coordination of innovation activities of other FAO technical Divisions.
• Develops, maintains and strengthens strategic partnerships with specialized UN agencies, research institutions, extension agencies, private innovation hubs and universities at the forefront of behaviour change innovation in support of FAO’s mandate and priorities, connecting interested Divisions with external thought leadership and expertise to take innovation projects forward.
• Contributes to the implementation, monitoring and formulation of OIN’s Programme of Work and Budget related to empowering for innovation, according to programmes and committed work plans, results and milestones.
• Supports Divisions in the scoping and design of behavioural analyses/diagnostics and/or change efforts, providing master classes and linking FAO needs to relevant service providers.
• Provides advice to technical and non-technical Centres/Offices/Divisions as well as Decentralized Offices on innovation processes and behaviour change methodologies to support innovative approaches to inspire, enable and sustain positive change.
• Performs any other related business as required.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following :

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in behavioural science or behavioural economics.
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical advice and analysis on change management, strategic and risk communication including the use of behavioural change/science in areas related to the activities of FAO.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Completion of professional training in change management in a UN context is considered a strong asset.
• Relevance and extent of experience in national/international setting including field locations enabling the use of behaviour change and other innovative approaches.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical advice and analysis on behaviour change, risk communication and change management.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with technical units and multidisciplinary teams to enable innovation and change.

Source:  https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401104