Rural Transformation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with Divisions, Centres and Offices at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.

The Rural Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains (RP1) is one of four main regional priorities within the Regional Office. The programme focuses on enhancing productivity and income of small-scale farmers, focusing on youth employment and women empowerment, and the development of inclusive value chains. It adopts an integrated approach focusing on boosting agricultural productivity, the promotion of decent rural employment and an inclusive economic growth that benefits farming communities in the region.

To support this work, the Regional Office is looking for qualified specialists in rural development, with expertise on one or more of the following thematic areas: rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.

Reporting Lines

The Rural Transformation Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Lead of RP1 on Rural Transformation in collaboration with relevant technical colleagues in the Regional Office and HQ Technical Divisions including the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP) division.

Technical Focus

The position entails support to the implementation of the RP1 programme of work in the NENA region as well as relevant field projects related to the thematic areas of rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Contribute to programme development and design of relevant activities at regional and country levels including the development of relevant project documents, workplans and concept notes
• Conduct, review or contribute to research, data analysis and writing of regional technical publications and knowledge products such as fact sheets, reports and policy briefs
• Organize or support the implementation and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences including the drafting of relevant documents (concept notes, workshop reports, background documents, etc.)
• Liaise with responsible officers and country teams and provide technical support to related activities and programmes at the regional and country level
• Document initiatives, case studies and technical content, highlighting impact, lessons learned and good practices
• Contribute to outreach and knowledge management related to rural transformation
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in social sciences, agriculture sciences, rural development, economics or related fields
• At least 1 year of relevant experience (for PSA category C), 2 years (for Consultant category C), 5 years (for category B), 10 years (for category A) in areas related to rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements
• Working knowledge (level C) 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
• Work experience in rural transformation, including rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements
• Previous experience working with the UN is a plus
• Experience establishing and coordinating regional networks
• Excellent research, analytical and technical writing skills
• Working knowledge of Arabic or French is considered an asset
  
  

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

24/Apr/2025

Closure Date

25/May/2025, 12:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit

RNE - Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (Cairo)

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Home-Based

Duration

Up to 11 months

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
  
  

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