Organizational Setting
The Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representation in Senegal (SNG) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions.
The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF).
The position is located in the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa (SWF) in Dakar, Senegal.

Reporting Lines
The Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representation in Senegal (SNG) works under the guidance of, and reports to the Assistant Director-General/ Regional Representative (ADG/RR), Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

Summary of Duties and Function
The Subregional Coordinator for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representative in Senegal (SNG) leads the multidisciplinary technical teams in the subregion as well as in the Country Office. He/she leads FAO’s response to subregional priorities in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 and is accountable for FAO activities in the subregion. He/she represents FAO in the country of assignment. He/she supports the ADG/RR in his/her capacity as an accountable member of the regional United Nations Development Group (UNDG) team as defined in the ‘Management and Accountability System of the United Nations Development and the Resident Coordinator System’.
The Subregional Coordinator for West Africa (SFW) also serves as the FAO Representative to the host country as well as to other countries in the subregion where FAO has no Representatives or Representations, to promote FAO’s support to the national priorities.
He/she contributes to the preparation of the Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) for the FAO Members in the Subregion and ensures effective collaboration with subregional economic integration organizations, UN-system entities at the subregional and national levels as well as other subregional institutions and media.


In particular, he/she will be responsible for the following:
• Oversight of FAO strategic planning and programme development in the Subregion and in the country of representation:
• lead the analysis and dialogue on subregional priorities and the development of subregional and country strategies;
• advise and collaborate with internal partners to raise awareness of subregional and country priorities and
• needs, and ensure that they are reflected in corporate, regional and country policies;
• ensure the provision of timely technical support to the FAO components of the UN common planning and programming frameworks (e.g. United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework [UNSDCF],
• Consolidated Appeals Process [CAP], Flash Appeals, etc.), the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for all countries in the Subregion and related FAO programmes, projects and/or other activities;
• lead country and subregional mobilization of extrabudgetary resources, making optimum use of the expertise available in the Decentralized Offices.

Programme implementation and monitoring:
• support Member countries in the Subregion to address food insecurity, malnutrition, hunger and inequalities by working together with institutional partners in the Subregion, in accordance with agreed priorities, approved programme/workplans/budgets, strategic objectives and corporate policies;
• coordinate and ensure timely and appropriate technical backstopping to FAO programmes and projects in the country and Subregion in close collaboration with FAO technical Divisions and Units, and in line with corporate norms, standards and procedures;
• undertake regular reporting and monitoring on subregional programmes.
Leadership on knowledge management:
• support and, where relevant, lead the country and subregional policy dialogues on areas of FAO’s mandate;
• facilitate timely access by country and subregional stakeholders to FAO’s knowledge resources and global public goods, and knowledge sharing within and beyond the Subregion;
• act as the spokesperson of FAO in the country and Subregion and communicate FAO programme and impacts to partners, media, and other stakeholders.

Management of human and financial resources:
• lead and manage the country and Subregional Office and ensure effective and efficient use of human and financial resources in line with corporate policies and administrative procedures;
• manage all matters related to the security and safety of FAO personnel and their eligible dependents and
• ensure full adherence to the UN Security Policy, rules and regulations, as well as to security-related instructions issued by FAO;
• contribute to strategic leadership and management decisions on FAO’s work in West Africa as a member of RAF’s Core Leadership Team.
Contacts/Partnerships:
• support the effective establishment of partnerships and collaborations with governments, donors, civil society, Academia, private sector, NGOs, UN system organizations and other international organizations;
• advocate FAO’s policy positions in the relevant national and subregional fora, represent FAO in the media, and implement a pro-active communications strategy to raise awareness about FAO with the general public;
• support the UN joint communication efforts at the subregional level and speaking with “one voice”.
Perform other duties as required.
Candidates will be assessed against the following


Minimum Requirements
• Advanced University degree in a technical area related to the work of the Organization.
• Minimum of twelve years (12) of relevant experience in programme development and management in fields related to the mandate of FAO, including at the international level.
• Demonstrated professional competence, proven leadership capability and effective management skills.
• Extensive experience in partnership with inter-governmental and international organizations, national governments, technical and donor partners, private sector, civil society organizations, youth and women organizations, farmer associations, etc.
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
• Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and French.

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.


How to apply
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO 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
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 http://www.whed.net/

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