Senior Adviser

Reporting Lines

The Senior Adviser reports directly to the Director, Office of Innovation (OIN) with day-to-day interaction and supervision by the Senior Technical Officer responsible for the ATIO initiative in OIN. 

Tasks and responsibilities

• Advise on, coordinate, and conceptualize the ATIO Flagship report and the development of its annotated outline and related background studies, providing quality assurance support. 
• Support the ATIO core team in coordinating the activities and meetings of the ATIO Technical Advisory Committee.
• Contribute to the review of technical papers/background studies and their integration into the ATIO Flagship.
• Mobilize the capacities and networks of research institutes, universities and other relevant partners and actors in support of the ATIO initiative.
• Advise, and collaborate with, the core ATIO team in designing and organizing innovative modalities of scientific content development (e.g., write-shops) and knowledge management activities that will be deployed to generate background analysis for, and sections of, the ATIO Flagship report. 
• Advise on the development of the ATIO knowledge base by ensuring that user cases are well defined, and that partners and knowledge contributors are properly integrated through sound operational mechanisms and governance arrangements. 
• Conceptualize a knowledge base for capturing technologies and innovations implemented at the grassroot level by small scale producers, including among indigenous and marginalized communities, leveraging appropriate governance and information gathering mechanisms that are aligned to FAO’s safeguard policies.
• Lead and coordinate dialogues with leading research centers, seeking appropriate interlocutors for producing examples/cases of best-bet innovations and related processes, building a partnership structure around this effort. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in communication science, social science, political science, behavioural science, innovation systems, or related studies or any other relevant degree.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA.SBS, working knowledge of English is sufficient.
• For Consultants: 12 years of relevant professional working experience in the field agrifood technology and innovation systems, preferably with a focus on LMIC contexts in a similar environment. 
• For PSA.SBS: 15 years of relevant professional working experience in the field agrifood technology and innovation systems, preferably with a focus on LMIC contexts in a similar environment. 

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

• Substantive expertise in developing analytical instruments and tools to manage and systematize innovations and agrifood technologies.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Good understanding of international development challenges, including operating in a developing country context.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Demonstrated organization, research, presentation and writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management and planning skills with demonstrated capacity to work in a fast-pace, high pressure environment.

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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