Political Affairs Officer

The FAO Liaison Office for North America (FAOLOW), located in Washington, D.C., plays a key role in advancing FAO’s mandate to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty worldwide. Toward this end, the Liaison Office engages in partnership-building, policy dialogue, information sharing, and raising the visibility of the Organization in the region.

FAOLOW is also responsible for the communication, cooperation, and collaboration with the government agencies of the United States and Canada, each countries’ legislators and/or parliamentarians, civil society, academia, and the private sector in the region.

The position is located in Washington D.C., United States (US).

Reporting Lines

The Political Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Liaison Officer and works under the overall guidance of the Director of FAO’s Liaison Office for North America, based in Washington D.C.

Technical Focus

The Political Affairs Officer plays a key role in engaging with congressional and parliamentary offices and committees, as well as monitoring and reporting on related processes and developments. He/she supports FAO’s partnerships with the U.S. Congress and the Canadian Parliament and serves as a point of contact on a wide range of thematic issues with both the United States and Canada.

Key Results

The establishment and maintenance of relations with members/staff of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament, contribution to and promotion of FAO key activities and priorities.

Key Functions

• Supports FAO’s collaboration with governmental counterparts to facilitate programme coordination and promotion.

• Engages and builds relationships with priority committee and staff of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament to message FAO’s added value.

• Monitors and identifies national activities relevant to FAO’s mandate.

• Supports FAO participation in congressional and parliamentary forums, reviews areas to improve effectiveness of FAO communication strategies and approaches.

• Promotes knowledge sharing and awareness within FAO of U.S. Congressional and Canadian Parliamentary perspective and priorities on identified activities and assists FAO units with networking.

• Produces a variety of information-related documents and reports and drafts replies to inquiries from national partners on subjects falling within the competence of FAO.

• Supports work to tailor FAO thematic issue resources (publications, speakers, data, etc.) to specific committee priorities and language.

• Works with the Senior Liaison Officer and the Director of LOW to capitalize on opportunities to raise FAO’s profile and mobilize increased support for the Organization.

• Cultivates strong working level relationships with issue area organizational counterparts within the Organization.

• Works with other FAOLOW programme staff to identify and access materials tailored to the priorities of U.S. and Canadian government agencies; tailor these materials to agency interests, language, and culture.

• In the U.S. and Canada, engages with the broader community around specific thematic issues, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Identifies which actors have the potential to be allies in advocacy to U.S. and Canadian government agencies.

• Supports FAO colleagues, including Core Leaders on duty travel to the region, and meeting with members or staff of the U.S. Congress or Canadian Parliament.

• Represents FAOLOW in UN weekly meetings in Washington D.C. to discuss national dynamics/priority areas.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, social science, journalism, political science, international relations or related fields.

• Five years of relevant experiencein development work, interacting with parliamentary partners and with

• governments, international organizations, including research institutions, civil society and the private sector.

• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) 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.

• Extent and relevance of experience in outreach for international/intergovernmental initiatives, particularly at the international level.

• Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring and advising organizational leadership on critical legislative matters, vote schedules and their significance.

• Extent and relevance of experience in preparing tailored materials for congressional and parliamentary audiences, including fact sheets and talking points.

• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the U.S. and Canadian parliamentary processes, offices and committees is desirable.

• Work experience in the multilateral sphere is highly desirable.

• Ability to translate complex and technical communications to a wide and varied audience in a simple and concise manner.

• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

• Good knowledge of thematic areas relevant to sustainable agrifood systems is an asset.