Deputy Director, CSI Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division

Job Description - Deputy Director, CSI Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division (2600555)

Job Description

2600555

Deputy Director, CSI Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division

Job Posting 24/Jul/2026

Closure Date 07/Aug/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division, CSI

Job Type Staff position

Type of Requisition : Senior-level

Primary Location Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2004741

CCOG Code : 1A

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 persons 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

FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting The Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division (CSI) is responsible for all Information Technology (IT) activities within the Organization. CSI defines FAO IT policies, strategy, IT architecture and standards and is responsible for the provision of digital products and services utilized to deliver the mandate of the Organization and support its operations worldwide. CSI manages and supports a set of corporate digital products and services which collectively comprise the FAO Digital Workplace utilized by personnel across the Organization worldwide to access and utilize Organizational digital resources and data in order to perform their work regardless of location or time zone in a secure manner.

The position is located in the Digital FAO and Agro-Informatics Division (CSI), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Deputy Director, CSI reports to the Director, CSI.

Summary of Duties and Functions Under the overall guidance of the Director, CSI, the Deputy Director will assist the Director with strategic and operational delivery of the Digital Workplace Stream (Global Corporate IT Services). He/she will also support the Director in providing strategic, managerial and technical leadership for the work of the Division and facilitating the management of corporate, divisional and interdivisional activities. In particular, the incumbent responsibilities include:

Lead day-to-day delivery and operations of FAO Digital Workplace (Global Corporate IT systems), applications and services (including ERP ecosystem, Business Efficiencies Applications, Platforms Services, Global Support Services, meetings/events and collaboration platforms, web platforms, digital ways of working).

Lead portfolio of projects related to delivery of Corporate IT systems, including capital expenditure and ad-hoc modernization and digital transformation projects globally.

Support the Director in exercising overall management responsibility and technical leadership for the Division, including strategic vision, planning, advice, quality control and implementation of the Division's programme of work as well as the cost.

Effective use of financial and human resources (staff and non-staff).

Advise the Director on IT strategies, governance and standards including their impact on the Organization's ability to deliver its programmes.

Empower Unit Leaders with planning, managing and monitoring the results of their respective team in line with divisional results; provide budgetary oversight for initiatives/ongoing activities/projects delivery and foster cross-divisional work under the overall umbrella provided by the IT/Digital Strategy.

Coordinate and promote communication and collaboration within and across units/teams and foster a work environment conducive to efficient results-based work.

Ensure a fit-for-purpose organization, sourcing and value-for-money approach for delivering and operating Corporate IT services.

Enable a motivated and effective workforce by ensuring the recruitment of highly qualified staff, mentoring, coaching and supporting career development and staff capacity development strategy.

Enhance partnerships within FAO for collaborative work in the areas of work of the Division.

Advocate and promote the work of the Division and the building of partnerships with international and national organizations, as well as the private sector, as appropriate.

Represent the Organization in internal and external meetings and serve as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Director.

Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in management or information technology management, as well as computer science, information systems, or information technology or related field.

Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in management and operational aspects of delivering information and communications technology (ICT) in large organizations (both technical and managerial experience).

Extensive professional experience in delivering complex IT projects in global context.

Extensive experience in globally decentralized organizations, including field support.

Understanding of digital economy and digital transformation of agrifood systems and rural development.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, and collaborate with specialists, in other related disciplines (e.g. IT infrastructure, software development, IT services, IT architecture, IT innovation and IT strategy).

Demonstrated skills and experience in participatory strategic planning, managing results, and in providing budgetary oversight for programme delivery.

Proven negotiation skills and diplomacy.

Analytical skills and ability to express ideas and concepts clearly, both orally and in writing.

Experience in managing large teams, including mentoring and staff development.

Experience in working in fast-paced working environment with short deadlines.

Ability to work effectively with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.

Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Leadership Competencies Results focus:

Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework

Leading, engaging and empowering others:

Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential

Communication:

Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication

Partnering and Advocating:

Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organization’s work

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement:

Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others

Strategic thinking:

Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for all and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

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 to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization.

This includes:

elements of family-friendly policies

flexible working arrangements

standards of conduct.

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