Forced Displacement Specialist

Reporting Lines

The Forced Displacement Specialist will report to the Technical Officer (Protracted Crises), Lead Conflict and Peace Unit (CPU), OER, under the overall supervision of the Programme and Policy Team Leader, OER and the overall guidance of the OER Director.

Technical Focus 

The Forced Displacement Specialist will provide programme, policy and partnership support in relation to FAO’s Emergency and Resilience Programming, with a focus on forced migration/displacement contexts and durable solutions responses (including conflict-sensitive and peace-responsive approaches). Such support will include provision of technical guidance and support to country and decentralised offices, with a focus on priority food crisis countries.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide support on matters related to forced displacement and durable solutions programming (refugees, internally displaced people, returnees), including conflict-sensitive and peace-responsive approaches.
• Technical support to country and decentralized offices in relation to programming in displaced and host community contexts, with a particular focus on acutely food insecure countries, including undertaking relevant country/regional level support missions.
• Technical support to country offices in engagement with country-level durable solutions related coordination mechanisms (Durable Solutions Taskforces, UNCT, HRPs/RRPs and related processes). 
• In collaboration with other OER teams support monitoring and evaluation processes, the identification, documentation and development of good/promising programmatic practices in forced displacement contexts, and support country offices in the replication and scaling-up of such practices.
• Support the strengthening of country level partnerships with forced displacement mandated agencies including UNHCR and IOM in areas of joint assessments, data collection and analysis, policy, programming and coordination.
• Develop programmatic guidance, tools, publications etc. with a view to strengthening programmatic quality of programmes and projects operating in key forced displacement contexts.
• Contribute to preparation of talking points and briefing notes for FAO senior management on related topics and prepare inputs to similar communications materials as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in one or more of the following: International Relations, International Development, Social or Political Sciences, Law, Forced Displacement/Migration, Conflict or Human Security Studies;
• At least 1 year (Category C) or 5 years (Category B) of relevant experience in emergency/resilience programming and policy in forced displacement/migration contexts, including work experience with national and international NGO’s, UN agencies, governments and donors;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of any other official language of the Organization: Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian. 

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, preferably including field experience in forced displacement or fragile and conflict affected contexts;
• Extent and relevance of experience in forced displacement/migration related programming/project implementation and policy;
• Familiarity with key humanitarian/refugee coordination and response mechanisms;
• Experience in project/programme development and project cycle management;
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection in displacement/migration contexts is an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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 FAO employment website Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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