Coordinator (Governance And Policy Support)

Coordinator (Governance & Policy Support)

The Governance Unit (DDCGD) provides overall corporate leadership in the technical area of Governance analysis and leads the Complements (Governance, Institutions and Human Capital) Accelerator in the new Strategic Framework. The unit coordinates technical networks in governance and policy support, and curates the FAO Governance and Policy Gateway, a searchable, continuously updated Internet portal providing comprehensive external access to the whole of FAO policy resources.

Location

Italy – Rome, FAO Headquarters

Reporting Lines

Reports to: Chief Economist

Technical Focus

Coordination of cross‑organizational corporate undertakings to improve the quality and impact of economic, social policy, support governance analysis in FAO’s mandates, and develop corporate technical and applied analysis of governance issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects, monitor implementation, review documents and reports, identify issues, initiate corrective actions, liaise with relevant parties, and ensure follow‑up action.
• Plan and facilitate workshops and interactive sessions, and assist in developing action plans for clients to manage change.
• Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinate policy development, including review and analysis of issues and trends, and prepare impact evaluations or equivalent studies.
• Generate survey initiatives; review, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems and prepare conclusions.
• Organise and prepare written outputs such as background papers, analyses, report sections and studies, and inputs to publications.
• Provide substantive back‑stopping to consultative meetings and conferences; propose agenda topics, identify participants, and prepare documents and presentations.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops and seminars; and deliver presentations on assigned topics.
• Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, providing guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties, and drafting mission summaries.
• Coordinate budget‑related activities (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepare related documents and reports.

Specific Functions

• Implement the strategic vision of SCOPE, drawing on FAO’s multidisciplinary technical competence, jointly with the headquarters’ technical unit across different streams.
• Provide technical guidance and back‑stopping on analyses, approaches, methodologies, tools, databases and outputs produced by specialists.
• Develop and conceptualise outputs for SCOPE, including Levels 1, 2 and 3 analyses, building on contributions from the Data Platform and other headquarters tools.
• Ensure coherence and complementarity between outputs and conduct quality control over content and implementation.
• Document innovative approaches in global scientific research papers.
• Formalise coordination structures involving headquarters and decentralised offices.
• Monitor, report on, and ensure cost‑effective use of human and financial resources.
• Coordinate events and workshops aimed at fostering internal alignment, organisational development, and individual learning.
• Represent SCOPE to strategic partners and stakeholders, facilitating successful working relationships.
• Promote international cooperation, advocate best practices, and increase policy dialogue from SCOPE.
• Provide technical expertise at international meetings and global events; support collaboration across headquarters units and regional and country technical teams.

Qualifications

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Agriculture, International or Business Administration, Law, International Development, or a closely related discipline.
• Seven years of relevant professional experience in project or programme management, administration, partnership and/or policy development within a large multidisciplinary national or international organisation.
• Proficiency (advanced level) in English and intermediate proficiency in another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships and knowledge sharing with continuous improvement.
• Extensive experience and relevance in programme coordination.
• Experience supporting corporate or divisional‑level executive management within an intergovernmental organisation.
• Knowledge of results‑based management methods and practice in applying them.
• Experience in governance and policy analysis, particularly on global issues, institutions and governance processes relevant to food security and nutrition.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise and conduct governance and policy analysis and programme development.
• Experience in trade, finance and investment issues, including international trade, market regulation and structure, is an asset.
• Extensive academic qualifications.

General Information

• Extension of fixed‑term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment is subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit, accredited, meets residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Conditions of Service

• A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
• Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include: Dependency allowances; Rental subsidy; Education grant for children; Home leave travel; 30 working days of annual leave per year; Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund; International health insurance; optional life insurance; Disability protection.
• FAO encourages a positive workplace culture with family‑friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and standards of conduct.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to the FAO values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. 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 Member states and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply; FAO staff must uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate.