Innovation Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• 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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Agenda through 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
The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e., to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas (PPAs), ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programs, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.
The position is located in the Office of Innovation, OIN, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Innovation Officer (Innovation Accelerator) reports to the Senior Innovation Officer, who leads the Venture Team in OIN and works in close collaboration with other staff in the Venture Team and across OIN.

Technical Focus
Apply fit-for-purpose innovation methods and tools relevant to project management, facilitation of experiential learning and stakeholder collaboration, to support promising innovations moving into a portfolio of solutions, and kick-starting innovation journeys.

Key Results
Implementation of coherent, integrated and effective innovation-related work, related to OIN incubation, Sprint Programmes and portfolio development, and establish/maintain networks of external organizations with expertise in the field for engagement with the Office's initiatives.

Key Functions
• Participate in specialized or multidisciplinary teams in support of FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models.
• Support with analytical work and collaboration with concerned stakeholders the adoption and implementation of cross-sectoral policies and strategies concerning innovation-related activities.
• Participate in specialized or multidisciplinary teams as well as partnership activities and promote best practices and policy dialogue in support of innovation of approaches and cooperation models.
• Support the analysis of organizational-level innovation-related issues.
• Organize and participate in capacity development activities and develop the related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Identify and assess opportunities for technical Centres/Offices/Divisions, including Decentralized Offices, to engage in projects related to OIN.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Support the work carried out by OIN Venture team in sourcing, testing, accelerating, and scaling innovations through cross-disciplinary collaborations and partnerships.
• Support the selection of innovative project ideas from FAO teams through open applications to the Innovation Fund and other calls or innovation challenges. Provide support to the selected teams in developing viable concept notes for pilot projects, including methodological guidance and technical assistance.
• Support experiential learning opportunities for teams to translate theory into tangible, transformative experiences, including the organization and facilitation of sprint programs such as innovation challenges, ideathons, hackathons, and bootcamps.
• Establish mechanisms for gathering and sharing learnings from pilot projects, ensuring that insights and best practices are documented and disseminated effectively. Facilitate a feedback loop between project teams, experts, and stakeholders to continuously improve the incubation process.
• Support the prioritization of innovations across FAO's Programme Priority Areas and the acceleration of their integration in FAO's programmatic interventions.
• Design and deliver portfolio management workshops in collaboration with FAO's Programme Priority Areas (PPA) teams and project teams in field offices.
• Develop innovation portfolio profiles to support the prioritization of innovations and their integration in country programmes.
• Monitor the progress and performance of pilot projects, identifying challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Support strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to leverage expertise, resources, and networks that can support the development and testing of innovative solutions including incubators and innovation ecosystems to enhance the impact of the FAO innovation outputs.
• Design, implement and monitor workplans for the FAO Incubator ELEVATE and other sprint programmes, aligning with the objectives of catalyzing and testing innovative solutions in agriculture and food production.
• Provide capacity building support to teams participating in the incubation process, helping them enhance their innovation capabilities and project management skills.
• Prepare regular reports and updates on the outputs and impact of ELEVATE and other sprint programmes, communicating achievements, challenges and future plans to internal and external audiences.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in business administration, innovation and entrepreneurship, business analytics, data science, engineering management, technology management, management, product development or related studies.
• Five years of relevant experience in innovation-driven projects or initiatives in the context of global development landscape.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO 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 incubator management within innovation or technology-driven sectors, including for private sector organizations.
• Analytical skills with the ability to assess project viability and risks.
• Relevance and extent of experience in supporting frameworks and methodologies such as design thinking, lean startup, and agile development to guide teams through the innovation process.
• Relevance and extent of experience in project management methodologies and tools, familiarity with relevant technologies and tools, including software for project management, communication, data analysis and collaboration.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds 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.
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