Organizational Setting

The activities referred to in this Vacancy Announcement are carried out by the Briefs Unit located within the Office of the Director-General (ODG).

Reporting Lines

The Consultants/PSA selected will report to the Senior Programme Officer (Briefs).

Technical Focus 

The technical focus includes but is not limited to:
•    Planning, requesting, researching and compiling briefing materials, including main discussion points, for use by the Director-General and Core Leadership on the occasion of high-level meetings, panels and events.
•    Contributing to the ongoing maintenance and development of appropriate tools and platforms for the production, monitoring and archiving of briefs and related information resources.

Tasks and responsibilities

Following are the generic functions. Detailed tasks and responsibilities will be defined in Terms of Reference for specific assignments according to: i) the profile required; and ii) the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications and expertise.

Reports Specialist (Information research, analysis and drafting of Core Leadership Briefs)

•    Contributes directly to the planning, scheduling, preparation and submission of briefs, reports and related products, including researching, analysing and collating content and reviewing and editing information to ensure the highest standards of quality, relevance and accuracy under tight and multiple deadlines.
•    Takes primary responsibility within the ODG Briefs Unit for content related to specific geographic and thematic areas (according to the team’s evolving work plan).
•    Contributes to the ongoing development and implementation of the Briefs OnLine (BOL) system, the optimization of related workflows, and the creation and maintenance of databases, archives and monitoring tools as required.
•    Develops content and BOL system guidelines and provides support and training as necessary to headquarters and decentralized office users.
•    Performs other related duties as required.

Reports Support (Support to the coordination and preparation of Core Leadership Briefs)

•    Supports the Senior Programme Officer (Briefs) and the ODG Briefs Unit team in the coordination and delivery of the above-mentioned tasks.
•    Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in a discipline relevant to the duties listed or otherwise related to FAO’s Programme of Work.
•    Three years (Category C consultant/PSA) or five years (Category C consultant/PSA) of experience relevant to the Profile and orientation(s) sought or in areas related to FAO’s technical work.
•    For Consultants: working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French or Spanish. Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese or Russian will be considered an asset. For PSAs: working knowledge of English.

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.
•    Familiarity with Briefs OnLine (BOL) system will be considered an asset.

Selection Criteria

Dependent on the orientation(s):

•    Excellent English drafting and editorial skills and excellent knowledge of documentation standards.
•    Advanced experience in the design, planning and preparation of technical/policy briefs, reports, speaking points and background documents for public or development institutions or academia.
•    Experience in collecting, analysing and re-presenting complex concepts and treating sensitive topics for high-level audiences, while maintaining accuracy and adhering to strict and multiple deadlines.
•    Sound experience in using and supporting the tailoring of web-based content management applications, including provision of user training and support.
•    Work experience with United Nations or other development agencies, and knowledge of FAO’s mandate, policies, programmes, priorities and structure, including the decentralized office network, will be considered an asset.