Manager, Agriculture Policy, GPSDD

This is a three-term position with the possibility of extension based on funding and organizational needs. The salary range for this position is $61,000 to $72,000

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

As a strategic partner of the United Nations, the United Nations Foundation brings together fresh thinking and diverse voices around innovative ideas to drive progress and tackle problems. Sometimes we work behind-the-scenes, shaping negotiations and connecting experts, advocates and decision-makers. Other times we drive public awareness and involvement through communications, campaigns, and convenings. Over the years we’ve developed a diverse and dynamic portfolio of capabilities, tools, and platforms to help the UN build a better world for everyone, everywhere.

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (the Global Partnership), an alliance hosted at the UN Foundation, is a fast-growing, dynamic international partnership bringing together over 700 different organizations including governments, UN agencies, private companies, civil society organizations, and many others. We make connections and broker partnerships to address the problems of gaps in data production, poor data use, access, quality, and to work with stakeholders to fully harness the new opportunities of the data revolution in the service of sustainable development. We aim to link and align action, capacities and resources across geographies, sectors and data communities.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, and in close coordination with the Agriculture Program Lead, the Manager will support the Global Partnership’s thematic engagements on agriculture data. This includes working with the Global Partnership’s Regional Leads to strengthen agriculture and food security data systems in Global Partnership countries and coordinating advocacy related to country work in Rome, where the UN’s food agencies are headquartered. They will develop and maintain strong trusted relationships with government representatives and Global Partnership partners from all regions, with a strong focus on West Africa. The Manager will also develop and contribute to knowledge products that aim to shape key stakeholders’ view of the importance of agricultural data, the need to strengthen data systems and capacities, and how to achieve that.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Country Duties

• Develop strong relationships with government partners at the country-level in National Statistical Offices, Ministries of Agriculture and other entities to understand their data needs, identify ways to strengthen data systems, and promote data use and sharing in the food and agriculture sector
• Develop use cases in collaboration with government partners and provide advice and assistance on their implementation
• Engage with select political and technical partners to identify opportunities for their engagement in support of country level implementation on agricultural data
• Develop and organize various meetings, seminars, events and roundtables that aim to address issues related to the gap in agricultural data, and data use and sharing
• Procure and manage consultants engaged to assist with the work

Advocacy

• Provide support for the Global Partnership’s activities related to advocacy in Rome, where the UN’s food agencies are headquartered, by:
  • Understanding the political landscape and helping to implement the strategy for stakeholder engagement and influence in Rome;
  • Building relationships with member state representatives and other stakeholders in Rome;
  • Assisting with the management of consultants; and,
  • Assist with the coordination of meetings and events
• Engage at regional and global levels to support the Global Partnership’s strategy on agricultural data, in diverse areas spanning official and non-official data communities
• Develop and contribute to various knowledge products that make the case for investing in agriculture data and statistics, improving data governance and data sharing, leveraging concrete country examples, and linking to related global policy processes

Other Duties

• Develop and maintain an understanding of the dynamics and key issues on data for development and identify how these may affect or help strengthen agricultural data
• Liaise with key donors and program partners in the agriculture sector to build and maintain new funding and project relationships
• Coordinate closely with the Communications team and MEL Manager to capture impact stories, results and lessons from country and Rome-based work, and contribute content that supports the Global Partnership's communications and reporting efforts
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Agricultural Data Manager is not a supervisory role.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION and/or EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelors’ degree in international development, public policy, agricultural development or related field or commensurate years of experience
• 5-7 years of related work experience
• Knowledge of data-related issues in the agriculture sector
• Knowledge of intergovernmental data sharing best practices preferred
• Familiarity with the 50x2030 Initiative preferred
• Proficiency in French and English required
• Understanding of Rome-based agencies’ governance and budgeting processes preferred
• Experience in data for development and financing for data preferred
• Project management experience preferred

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the required skills and competencies.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and consistently deliver high-quality results with integrity and reliability
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, functions, and diverse perspectives to foster productive working relationships and achieve shared organizational goals
• Strong critical thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to evaluate information, exercise discretion, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions in complex or evolving situations
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands, coordinate resources, manage timelines, and deliver results within established deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicate clearly, manage expectations, and navigate competing priorities to achieve desired outcomes
• Ability to apply relevant technical, functional, and professional expertise to solve problems, inform decisions, implement effective solutions, and continuously improve work practices

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The essential functions of this role will generally be performed in a remote work environment, provided the employee maintains a dedicated workspace that supports confidentiality and productivity. Remote employees must ensure limited background noise and environmental distractions to effectively perform essential job functions

This role will also travel frequently, with approximately 6 trips per year of 1 to 2 weeks duration each.

LOCATION

This role must be based in Rome, Italy, or Abuja / Lagos, Nigeria. Applicants located in Nigeria must have or be able to secure a Schengen visa in order to travel to Rome as needed.

DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS  

The United National Foundation will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

To be considered for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter. Applications that do not include both documents will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

The United Nations Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer