Chief Scientist

Organizational Unit: DDCC - Chief Scientist Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Senior-level
Primary Location: Italy-Rome
Duration: Fixed term: two years with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2007885
CCOG Code: 1H01
FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values. FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life , leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
FAO has established the Core leadership composed by Three Deputy Directors-General (DDGs), Director of Cabinet, Chief Economist and Chief Scientist with an Organigramme and a modular management structure that avoids silos and promotes working jointly at all managerial levels in a cross-sectoral and global manner for a more efficient and effective Organization.
The Organizational structure is designed to create cooperation, both within FAO and by building up its comparative advantages to work with other organizations outside of FAO. Heads of Units (Offices, Centres and Divisions) are accountable, and each Head reports directly to either a Deputy Director-General (DDG), the Director of Cabinet, the Chief Economist or the Chief Scientist.
Reporting Lines
The Chief Scientist reports to the Director-General.
Summary of Duties and Functions
Accelerating and scaling up innovation is fundamental for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leveraging emerging opportunities for reaching a world free from hunger, poverty and malnutrition. It is an opportune time for FAO to harness and increase its knowledge and expertise, building on its comparative advantage, promoting a more holistic and coordinated approach to address the complex and interconnected challenges facing agriculture and food systems.
In the framework of FAO's mandate, Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, agreed Organizational results and technical, operational and administrative corporate procedures and policies, the Chief Scientist is an aggregator with convening capacity to improve delivery of results and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit throughout the Organization and in its interaction with others.
The Chief Scientist works under the guidance of, and reports to, the Director-General of FAO. In particular, the Chief Scientist will:
Consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative ethos, including innovation of mindset, cooperation models and innovation of application by digitalization; Ensure that FAO applies modern science and technology and adopts innovative approaches in management of resources, projects and programmes; Promote innovative approaches in order to scale up the work on the ground and in cooperation with public, private, academia and civil society; Leverage science, innovation, technology and new approaches across the Organization and in support of countries for better results and strengthening partnerships; Coordinate intelligence gathering and medium- to long-term prioritization processes for identifying new programmes and cooperation models; Lead task forces on nexus approaches in order to look at sustainability issues in an integrated and innovative manner; Employ systems thinking, identify trade-offs and synergies for innovative policy assistance and advice to Members; Lead the development of an evidence-based and corporate perspective on emerging innovation that includes evaluation of the impact of context-specific innovation; Lead the formulation and establishment of an internal mechanism to foster, promote and incentivize innovations to strengthen FAO's innovative ethos including innovation of mindset, developing champions and promoters of innovation; Lead and oversee the work of the Office for Innovation and ensure the achievement of the desired results; Update as required and lead delivery of results expected from the FAO Science and Innovation Policy; Develop a policy and capacities to enhance assistance to Members with regard to their research and development (R&D) strategies and priority actions; Nurture partnerships with science and innovation and R&D actors and networks such as the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) network and centres, National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), universities, and public and private research centres; Lead and manage the Office by supervising its staff making efficient and effective internal organizational arrangements; Oversee and deal with the management of risk in all relevant units, ensuring that any significant control weaknesses be escalated; Advocate FAO's policy position with respect to the areas under his/her mandate and communicate its messages; Acts as B oversight supervisor amongst the leadership team for units or offices or centres under designated authority. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Advance university degree (PhD as reference) in a field related to the work of the Organization; At least fifteen years of relevant experience in a field related to the work of FAO and in particular food security, agriculture, rural development and agricultural innovation; Demonstrated professional competence and management/strategic leadership of a high level; Working knowledge of English (level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish); Experience with multilateral negotiations and advice to governments; Good resource mobilization and partnership development skills; Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting. 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:
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 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. Selection for this position will follow a transparent and very competitive process which may entail different steps, including submission of written test/essay, different stages of interviews (with managers and high level panel), and a presentation on a given topic relevant to the role.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO's client support team for further assistance:
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
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