Rural Development Policy and Legislation Expert

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, the direct supervision of FAO REU Land Tenure Officer/Lead Technical Officer of the project and the Legal Officer, the technical supervision of the Legal Officer, Development Law Service, the operational supervision of the Project Budget Holder and in close collaboration with the project team in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and in the FAO Office in Montenegro, the Expert is expected to provide the targeted technical support to the ongoing project.

Technical Focus

Given its status as European Union (EU) candidate country, Montenegro is in the process of developing the necessary conditions for effectively implementing key EU rural development policies, including related to the LEADER approach (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale – the acronym stands for “links between actions for the development of the rural economy”). Some past initiatives have been implemented for the benefit of raising awareness about community-led local development and five Local Actions Groups (LAGs) have even been initiated by local actors in diverse forms, but without full LEADER related legislation adopted in the country. In order to make the country ready for the implementation of the LEADER approach in accordance with the EU policy and legislation, it is necessary to strengthen capacity and knowledge at national and local levels.
The Expert will support this process through contributing to the implementation of the project Support to creating preconditions for implementation of the LEADER approach (TCP/MNE/4002), which has the overall objectives to strengthen the capacities of the national authorities in Montenegro and to create an enabling environment for implementing the LEADER approach both at national and at local level.

The incumbent's work impacts the timely and efficient delivery of the EU LEADER approach in Montenegro and will contribute to develop capacities and skills of national authorities for the implementation of the LEADER approach; provide technical and administrative guidance on the harmonization of national policy and legal frameworks with the relevant EU legislation; and contribute to the development of Local Development Strategies of selected Local Action Groups (LAG).

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent shall possess the expertise to conduct the following tasks\:

• Guide the national legal consultant to develop the national legal report. Revise and complement his/her work as necessary to ensure the quality and completeness of the report;
• Provide technical, legal and administrative support to improve the readiness of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro (MAFWM) and other relevant national authorities on the harmonization of national policy and legal frameworks with the relevant EU legislation;
• Provide technical and legal guidance for the preparation of the accreditation and implementation of Measure 5 on LEADER under IPARD III;
• Lead the preparation of the Operational Manual on the LEADER approach in Montenegro in close coordination with the Legal Officer, the National Legal Expert and the FAO REU Team;
• Prepare a report with a regulatory strategy and concrete recommendations to implement the above;
• Participate in meetings with relevant MAFWM staff and national authorities to feed into the preparation of the Operational Manual;
• Contribute to the design LAG Formation Agreements in coordination with national authorities responsible for the LEADER approach implementation;
• Undertake one backstopping mission and prepare mission report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Law, special training in EU Law would be an asset;
• At least 5 years of experience with EU policies, regulations and legal frameworks focusing on rural development and the EU LEADER approach;
• Sound experience in harmonization of national legislation with the EU acquis in EU pre-accession countries;
• Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Special training in EU Law would be an asset;
• Experience working with government agencies or EU institutions dealing with EU agriculture and rural development policies and programmes is highly valuable;
• Experience with the accreditation of IPARD measures is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written skills in English language
• Knowledge of the local language is an asset
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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