The FAO Deputy Director job listing is for serious minded leaders. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is dedicated to fostering workforce diversity, encouraging applications from qualified women, nationals from under-represented regions, and persons with disabilities. FAO maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct such as sexual exploitation, harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any activity or office globally.
FAO’s Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a core element of its strategic objectives and operations. The organization contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which aims to promote more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. These efforts aim to improve production, nutrition, the environment, and overall quality of life, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
FAO is the leading specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to global food security. With operations in over 130 countries, FAO works to ensure people have access to sufficient, nutritious food. The organization implements a broad range of projects across sectors such as animal production, fisheries, forestry, social protection, and food systems. It also plays a significant role in both development and humanitarian contexts.
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The Office of Evaluation (OED) evaluates FAO’s strategies, initiatives, and projects at global, regional, and national levels. OED provides results-based accountability, supporting decision-making, oversight, and continuous improvement. It aims to generate evidence and insights to help FAO achieve its mission of ending hunger.
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The Deputy Director plays a critical role in leading and managing OED, ensuring that its work adheres to evaluation policies and FAO’s Strategic Framework. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing technical and managerial leadership, ensuring compliance with FAO’s Evaluation Policy, UNEG Principles, and OED’s Strategy.
- Acting as the Director in the absence of the Director.
- Supporting the Director in providing strategic advice to the Director-General, Governing Bodies, and Senior Management.
- Managing human and financial resources, ensuring the effective functioning of OED globally.
- Developing and updating OED’s multi-year Learning Agenda to guide evaluation priorities.
- Overseeing the publication of evaluation reports and preparing presentations for FAO Management and Governing Bodies.
- Leading innovations in OED processes, including portfolio management, risk management, and data governance.
- Improving evaluation methodologies to ensure high-quality, rigorous evaluations.
- Ensuring the integration of cross-cutting equity and inclusion in OED processes and evaluations.
- Promoting the dissemination and use of evaluations to drive continuous improvement and contribute to FAO’s objectives.
- Collaborating with FAO teams, partner organizations, and external networks to strengthen evaluation functions globally.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements include: An advanced university degree in social sciences (e.g., economics, sociology) or in evaluation methods; a minimum of 12 years of professional experience conducting evaluations in complex development or humanitarian contexts; at least three peer-reviewed publications; proficiency in English (working knowledge) and basic knowledge of one other FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills
- A Ph.D. is highly desirable.
- Extensive experience in leading evaluations and managing large, complex teams in international settings.
- Strong research, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to communicate findings clearly and concisely.
- Technical expertise in rigorous evaluation designs that establish causality, especially in development and humanitarian response.
- A thorough understanding of FAO’s mandate and relevant development and humanitarian approaches.
Leadership Competencies
The Deputy Director must demonstrate the following leadership competencies:
- Results Focus: Takes accountability for delivering results aligned with FAO’s strategic framework.
- Leading, Engaging, and Empowering Others: Promotes teamwork and supports the development of others.
- Communication: Encourages open and clear communication.
- Partnering and Advocating: Builds partnerships to advance FAO’s mission.
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement: Seeks continuous improvement and knowledge development.
- Strategic Thinking: Makes decisions aligned with broader organizational goals.
Conditions of Service
FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements. Benefits include annual leave, pension fund entitlements, health insurance, and home leave travel. Appointments are subject to medical clearance, visa requirements, and security clearances. FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.