Policy Officer

FAO

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 offices and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the Region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RNE develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines

The Policy Officer reports to the Senior Economist, RNE, and maintains regular contact with FAO headquarters in Rome for functional guidance on matters relating to policy and governance support in the food and agricultural sectors.

Technical Focus

The Policy Officer provides guidance and operational support for results-based policy assistance and governance work of Decentralized Offices in the Region in relation to policy issues and programmes, and provides day-to-day advice and support to the work of policy officers posted at country level in relation to their policy assistance work concerning food security, agrifood systems, markets, value chain and trade of food and agriculture.

Key Results

Development and implementation of coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work supporting Member Nations at regional, subregional and country level: i) in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework and its delivery mechanisms; and ii) in response to new policy assistance requests.

Key Functions

• Supports the work carried out by technical or policy officers from headquarters or out-posted staff in the Decentralized Offices in relation to policy and governance work under the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Advocates strategic partnerships, best practices and policy dialogue in support of enhanced governance for food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Participates in specialized or multidisciplinary teams, and high-level policy analysis missions or projects, policy networks and/or international policy setting bodies.
• Interacts with UN Regional and Country teams to improve cross-sectorial policies and strategies concerning food security and nutrition and sustainable development.
• Supports the analysis by the Regional Office of regional and country-level issues to provide input into the identification of country and regional priorities and requirements.
• Designs, implements and monitors regional and subregional policy work programmes and supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Plans, organizes and participates in capacity development activities involving the provision of technical advice and assistance, and oversees the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.

Specific Functions

• Participates in regular strategic and operational reviews of agriculture and food and nutrition security, including stakeholder analysis;
• Supports the improvement of the rationale, policy scope and policy relevance of Country Programing Frameworks towards achieving FAO's vision and goals;
• Promotes the uptake at country level of key corporate policy programmes and messages;
• Contributes to field programme development from project idea through formulation, approval funding implementation;
• Supports policy support at country level, in constant liaison with relevant headquarters divisions, on transforming agrifood systems and achieving food security.