Yemen: Technical Adviser, Food Security and Agriculture Cluster Coordinator

Mar 7, 2021 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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The FAO Representation in Yemen (FNYAR) is responsible for leading FAO's response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. FAO Yemen has provided support not only to emergency agriculture programmes to ensure food security and improve agriculture production but has also supported early recovery and development programmes. Through its emergency and rehabilitation programmes, FNYAR has supported vulnerable crops, fisheries and livestock dependent households with technical support while also promoting sustainable land management practices, improved production techniques and technologies and marketing opportunities.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Adviser reports to the FAO Head of Programme under the technical guidance of the World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Director. S/he will work in close collaboration with the FAO Representative and the WFP Representative/Country Director in Yemen. S/he will work impartially with all Members of the Cluster and its subcomponents, and will serve and represent the group as a whole, and not as an agency officer.  

Technical Focus


The objective of Yemen Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) coordination is to ensure a timely, coherent and effective food security response by mobilizing stakeholders to respond in a strategic manner to a humanitarian crisis.  

Key Results


Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services in accordance FAO’s Strategic Objectives.

Key Functions

  • Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions;
  • Coordinates programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
  • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
  • Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
  • Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
  • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
  • Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions

  • Represents the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster at the Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM);
  • Enhances coordination and quality programming for food security and agriculture interventions (emergency preparedness and response, DRR/resilience, promoting right-based approaches and standards);
  • Enhances and maintains appropriate FSAC humanitarian coordination mechanisms with focus on localization including capacity strengthening on coordination if/as required at national and subnational levels;
  • Coordinates sector-wide emergency preparedness and Rapid Response Mechanisms with relevant partners and national authorities;
  • Strengthens inter-cluster linkages through the Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism;
  • Supports stakeholders in strategic response to emergency food security needs assessments, response analysis and monitoring;
  • Improves the efficiency of FSAC information management systems (contact list database, reporting tools, infographics, 5Ws/4Ws, maps);
  • Ensures regular dissemination of FSAC information products (dashboard, newsletter, maps, etc.);
  • Develops appeals documents (HRP, ad hoc appeals) and strategic response strategies;
  • Ensures that cluster Members are aware of relevant policy guidelines and technical standards (protocols) related to food security, livelihoods and agriculture activities, and that their responses are in line with them;
  • Develops and implements a communication and advocacy strategy on behalf of all cluster partners to ensure that key decision makers, including government and donors, are aware of the needs, priorities, geographic and programmatic gaps and importance of necessary support to the cluster activities;
  • Provides support to related coordination mechanisms (e.g. IPC National technical Working Group, the Minimum Food Basket Working Group, and the Livelihoods Technical Working groups) and undertakes/supports needs assessment and analysis;
  • Promotes the effective implementation of the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) and chairs the review boards (strategic, technical);
  • In coordination with the Cluster Lead Agencies and FSAC partners, assesses the needs for subnational cluster(s), and if needed facilitates the formulation or realignment of sub national coordination mechanisms;
  • Provides supervision and coaching to FSAC team and revises FSAC team structure as required;
  • Leads the recruitment of FSAC staff and consultants in coordination with the Cluster Lead Agencies;
  • Contributes to the Global Network against Food Crisis (GNFC) in developing a Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus (HDPN) approach Develops training curricula and capacities of NGOs;
  • Mainstreams protection and accountability to affected populations in all FSAC activities in collaboration with the Protection Cluster;
  • Reinforces collaboration and working relationship with Nutrition, WASH and Health Clusters (and other relevant clusters) in common surveillance systems and encouragement of joint and coordinated response strategies;
  • Supports assessments and ensures that available information is analysed in a coordinated manner and utilized for decision-making at different levels (e.g. Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced university degree in political sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or a related field;
  • Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programme;
  • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions is desirable;
  • Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
  • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams;
  • Working knowledge of Arabic and/or French is considered a strong asset. 

General Information

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment

Conditions of Service

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm 
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;
  • Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
  • 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;
  • Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
  • We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.