VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
for the position of
GFAR Executive Secretary

Notice: please fill the FAO PH form
and attach it to your application.

Profile Requirements

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) is a stakeholder-led initiative that seeks to promote cost-effective partnerships and strategic alliances among the key players involved in agricultural research at national, regional and global level. GFAR provides a forum for the exchange of information and experiences among stakeholders of agricultural research and for discussions of strategic issues that are of interest to them. It operates through the GFAR Steering Committee and a Secretariat (headed by an Executive Secretary) hosted by FAO in Rome, Italy. The term agriculture covers the protection, conservation and use of all natural resources, as well as food production aspects.

The GFAR Steering Committee seeks an Executive Secretary for the GFAR Secretariat who will be responsible for the efficient functioning of the Secretariat and will ensure the accomplishment of its tasks. He/she will maintain close contact with all GFAR stakeholders and will act as Secretary to the GFAR Steering Committee. He/she will report to the Chairperson of the GFAR Steering Committee on all matters related to GFAR activities, and to the Director of the Research, Extension and Training Division (SDR) for FAO matters and administrative procedures. The Terms of Reference for this position are listed below.

Essential experience

• A proven record in leadership and management of research and development programs or institutions, preferably with experience in National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and/or in multi-stakeholder programs (12 or more years of working experience in management positions in research and/or development programs);
• Broad understanding of sustainable agricultural development and of the interdependence of biological and social sciences;
• An understanding of issues and an awareness of global affairs that affect research in agriculture and natural resource management in developing countries;
• Direct experience in research in developing countries, and in living in cross-cultural environments;
• A successful record in fund raising for research and experience in dealing with donors.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, vision, and commitment;
• Good inter-personal relations and capacity to promote team work;
• High academic qualifications (PhD or equivalent experience) in agricultural or related disciplines, including policy or social sciences;
• The ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders of agricultural research, including NARS, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), farmers' organizations, International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs), Advanced Research Institutions (ARIs) and private sector;
• Excellent knowledge of English required, and fluent (C level) in French or Spanish.

Appointment

The Executive Secretary will be appointed at the D-1 level by FAO according to FAO Rules and Regulations. The FAO organizational unit to which the GFAR Secretariat and its Executive Secretary will be attached is the Research, Extension and Training Division (SDR) of the Sustainable Development Department. Initial appointment will be for three years (with possible extensions to a maximum of nine (9) years).

Salary and Benefits

Director level (D-1) carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 127,805 to US$ 143,351 (without dependants) and from US$ 138,269 to US$ 156,279 (with dependants).

Deadline
28 June 06

Applications

Please submit a letter of interest, substantiating your suitability for the position together with a PHF, a curriculum vitae, photocopies of supporting documents and the names of three professionals (including telephone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address) who could provide references upon request. The application must be sent under confidential cover latest by June 28 2006 to: Chair, Search Committee for GFAR Executive Secretary, GFAR, FAO, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy. Fax: +39 (06) 570-53898; email address for applications:
. Further particulars of the position may be obtained from the address above.


TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GFAR EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

The Executive Secretary is responsible for the efficient functioning of the GFAR secretariat and for coordinating the implementation of administrative, institutional and operational activities approved by the GFAR Steering Committee.

The Executive Secretary:

• reports to the Chairperson of the GFAR Steering Committee on GFAR matters and on the implementation of the Programme of Work and budget of the GFAR Secretariat;
• reports to the Director of the Research, Extension and Training Division (SDR) on matters regarding FAO, the host institution;
• acts as Secretary to all GFAR Committee meetings;
• coordinates with the appropriate FAO office the implementation of joint activities with this Organization as approved by the GFAR Steering Committee and FAO.

The Executive Secretary should establish and/or maintain close contact with the CGIAR and Science Council Secretariats as well as with the representative bodies (secretariat, committees, representatives) of all the constituencies of the GFAR, in particular the NARS Regional/Sub-regional Fora and other relevant regional organizations. With the support of a small team of professional staff at the GFAR Secretariat, the Executive Secretary will carryout the following tasks:

• Management and supervision of the GFAR Secretariat and of the staff that is posted to it, in order to ensure that the functions assigned by the GFAR Steering Committee are effectively carried out;
• Preparation and monitoring of a 3-year rolling work plan and corresponding budget;
• Implementation of the annual Programme of Work as approved by the GFAR Steering Committee and financed by the GFAR Donor Support Group. When implementing it, a special attention will be given to the joint activities developed with FAO in support of the regional and sub-regional fora;
• Management, reporting and accountability of the budgets allocated to the GFAR Secretariat;
• Assisting the development of mechanisms for systematic and improved interaction between the GFAR stakeholders, in particular between and within the regional and sub-regional fora;
• Assisting the Regional/Sub-regional Fora in developing programmes aimed at strengthening NARS and regional/sub-regional cooperation in agricultural research;
• Organization and support of all GFAR Steering Committee meetings;
• Organization of the Plenary Meetings of GFAR every 3 years;
• Close interaction with all the institutions that GFAR relates to, in carrying out its mandate;
• Supervision of all GFAR publications: annual reports, working papers, brochures, studies and workshop proceedings, etc;
• Participation in meetings of the various constituencies (Regional/National Fora, NARS, ARIs, CGIAR, Private Sector, NGOs, Farmers' Organizations) that are of importance for the overall coordination of GFAR activities;
• Raise funds for the operation of GFAR;
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the GFAR Steering Committee or the Chairperson.

Since the activities that GFAR carries out are basically in the hands of the stakeholders, the above tasks refer to a role of facilitation or a role of assisting the respective stakeholders to carry out the agreed collaborative activities.