Job: Investment Support Officer

Location: New Delhi, India
Closing Date: Thursday, 05 December 2013

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Investment Centre Division (TCI) promotes investment in agriculture and rural development in developing countries and countries in transition, assisting governments, international financing institutions (IFIs) and other development partners with the strategic planning and implementation of their investments to achieve growth, poverty alleviation, food security and nutrition goals. Under the overall supervision of the Director, TCI, the supervision of the Chief, Asia and the Pacific Service (TCIB), and in collaboration with the Head of the Decentralised Office (DO) of assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for the analysis, formulation and supervision/evaluation of investment operations for food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development (FSNARD).

In particular, the incumbent will:

• advise governments in the preparation of agricultural and rural sector/subsector studies and strategies, in the formulation of national investment programmes advise in the identification of appropriate development policies as a basis for dialogue between governments and financiers;
• participate in, and eventually lead, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment projects/programmes , and participate in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions;
• participate in, and eventually lead, multidisciplinary teams for investment project and programme implementation support and the preparation of implementation completion reports; facilitate the conditions for private sector involvement in food and agriculture supply and value chains;
• producer organizations, civil society; and pro-poor public-private and public-private-community partnerships;
• formulate and deliver capacity development programmes in the various areas of investment support to FAO and government staff, as well as non-state and private sector actors;
• prepare clear and concise reports in line with the requirements of governments and partner IFIs/donors;
• provide technical inputs in the area of expertise and ensure quality outputs to the DO team;
• perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should meet the following:

• Advanced University degree in economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, agribusiness management, natural resource management, irrigation and drainage, rural infrastructure engineering or a related field
• Seven years of relevant experience in conducting agricultural/rural sector/subsector analytical studies, and/or in planning, design, supervision of agricultural and rural investment operations, including elaboration of feasibility studies and implementation of agricultural and rural investment operations in developing countries and/or countries in transition
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Extent and relevance of experience in participating or leading multidisciplinary teams for agriculture/rural development investment project/programme identification and/or formulation for international financial institutions and other development agencies in countries of the region of assignment or other developing countries and countries in transition
• Extent and relevance of experience in agricultural sector/subsector analytical studies/reviews and programme evaluation, and/or preparation of national food security and poverty alleviation programmes
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity development for planning and implementation of agriculture/rural development and food security investment
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other country level stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and writing, including demonstrated ability to write technical reports in English
• Relevance of experience in different geographical areas and familiarity with the region covered by the specific vacancy

Working knowledge of another language relevant to the region of assignment would be an asset

N.B. Willingness to travel frequently to developing countries and/or countries in transition and for geographic mobility reassignments. In line with FAO's Decentralisation Policy, a number of TCI professional staff positions have been assigned to Decentralized Offices (DOs), including Regional, Subregional and Country Offices. Locations are based on the needs and priorities identified in the respective regions, and can be modified to respond to changing priorities. Incumbents are expected to remain at least three years at a given duty station; and may rotate with Rome headquarters or another DO. The purpose of this Vacancy Announcement is to build a roster of candidates meeting a wide range of ADM213e 04/12

expertise such as economics, agriculture, natural resource management, irrigation and water management, rural sociology, etc. First assignment to a DO of newly recruited officers may be preceded by an initial period at headquarters for on-the-job training and familiarization with TCI's operations.

For more information of FAO regional coverage in Asia and the Pacific, please consult the following link: http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/en/ Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

• The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://icsc.un.org/

To apply:

visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete the on-line application In order for your application to be properly evaluated, please ensure that all sections of the on-line application are completed. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

More Info and Application