Job Description Rural Development Specialist (Entrepreneurship, Institutions, Services and Employment)
Primary Location
: Egypt-Cairo
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 a special focus on the thematic areas of entrepreneurship, institutions, services and employment.
Reporting Lines
The Rural Development Specialist (Entrepreneurship, Institutions, Services and Employment) 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 on the thematic areas of rural entrepreneurship, institutions, services and employment.
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
• Contribute to the development and review of relevant regional publications and knowledge products such as fact sheets, technical reports, policy briefs.
• Participate in the organization, implementation and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences including the drafting of relevant documents (concept notes, workshop reports, background documents, etc.)
• Liaise with relevant units in Headquarters and contribute to corporate programmes in the related areas of work; ensure effective communication with Sub-regional and country Offices on related activities and programme
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:
Rural institutions and rural advisory services:
• Support the expansion and institutionalization of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services
• Support the establishment of national-level professional and technical networks on rural advisory services in at least 3 countries
• Support resource mobilization efforts including through resource mapping, partner outreach and proposal development
Entrepreneurship and decent employment:
• Develop a grants operational manual in line with FAO regulations for a grant programme for youth-led agribusiness startups
• Disperse and track at least 40 grants to youth-led agribusiness startups
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in social sciences, agriculture sciences or economics
• At least 2 years of relevant experience (for category C), 5 years (for category B), 10 years (for category A) of relevant experience in data collection and analysis
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French or Arabic
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 development, agriculture and/or advisory services in the Near East and North Africa
• Previous experience working with the UN is a plus
• Experience establishing and coordinating regional networks
• Strong report writing skills
FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing) Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at For more information, visit the Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance:
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