Management of Human Resources
- National Correspondent (NC) -
A National Correspondent (NC) is an experienced professional civil servant, selected jointly by FAO and the government, to carry out liaison functions between FAO and the concerned government in countries where FAO has no office. The reporting lines of NCs and the conditions governing their appointment vary slightly depending on whether the country is covered through multiple accreditation from an FAO Representation or a Subregional Office, or whether FAO is represented in the country by UNDP.
The position of NC is always established following a request from the government to have an FAO presence in a given country and may be associated with multiple accreditation. The responsibility for the establishment of new positions of National Correspondents and for the relevant exchange of letters with the government remains with OSD. During these consultations, OSD shares with the government the Terms of Reference and the conditions for the appointment of the NC.
Links to the TOR and the conditions governing the appointment of NCs under the different circumstances (FAOR, SRO or UNDP) are provided below and can also be accessed from the documentation box on the right.
The responsibility for selection, appointment, evaluation and extension of FAO National Correspondents has been transferred to the FAO Regional Representatives.
- Conditions with FAOR (FR)
- TOR with FAOR
- Conditions with SRO
- TOR with SRO
- Conditions with UNDP (FR)
- TOR with UNDP
- Format for standard CV (FR, SP)
- Recruitment
- Briefing
- Evaluation
Recruitment
The responsibility for the selection, appointment, evaluation and extension of FAO National Correspondents has been transferred to the FAO Regional Representatives.
Step 1. Once a new position of NC is established, the government will be requested by the concerned FAO Representative (FAOR), Subregional Coordinator (SRC) or UNDP Resident Representative (as applicable) to provide the curricula vitae (CVs) of three suitable civil servants. The standard format for CVs of NC candidates is provided here: Format for standard CV (FR, SP).Step 2. Once the CVs of the candidates have been received from the government, it would be preferable if they could be interviewed by the concerned FAOR or SRC, at least telephonically, in order to evaluate them and decide on the ranking. In some countries, there may be sensitivities related to FAO’s interviewing of the candidates. FAO managers are therefore expected to exercise their own judgment on the appropriateness of this procedure.
Step 3. The CVs of the candidates, preferably after interviews, are then forwarded to the Regional Office (RO) which reviews them and prepares a proposal, by means of an Office Memorandum, for submission to and approval by the Deputy Director-General Operations (DDGO), with copy to the Director OSD. (see sample memo to DDGO).
Step 4. Upon receipt of the DDGO’s clearance, the RO requests the FAOR/SRC or UNDP Res Rep (as may be the case) to inform the government accordingly and to obtain from the government the following information required for the issuance of a Personal Services Agreement (PSA): i) level of salary of the selected candidate (copy of payroll slip); ii) agreed percentage of time to be dedicated to FAO activities; and iii) signed copy of the Personal History Form (PHF) of the selected candidate. By copy of the message, the RO keeps the SSC Hub informed.
Step 5. Once the requested information/documentation is obtained, the RO forwards the CV/PHF of the selected candidate to the SSC Hub together with an e-PPR (Personnel Processing Request), requesting his/her recruitment through a PSA.
Step 6. The SSC Hub issues the contract, which is forwarded to the FAOR/SRC or UNDP Res Rep for agreement and signature by the selected candidate.
Extension of contracts of National Correspondents are approved by the relevant Regional Representative following a positive evaluation of the incumbent.
| Notes: - In the case of NCs, the PSA is normally issued for a 12-month duration, with the understanding that the NC is only working for FAO on a part-time basis. |
Briefing
Following the appointment of the NC, the FAOR should schedule an early mission to the country concerned to meet with the new appointee and start his/her briefing.
Alternatively, the NC may be requested to travel to the office of the FAOR/SRC or the RO, to receive a structured briefing on FAO, its programmes and operations.
Also, the NC will be encouraged and advised to access information about the Organization from the FAO website.
Evaluation
The appointment of an FAO NC is for an initial period of three months. Subject to satisfactory performance of the incumbent (to be confirmed by the FAOR/SRC or other supervisor, through e-mail exchange with the SSC Hub) the NC’s contract is extended to one year (renewable).
Towards the end of the assignment, in order to proceed with an eventual extension, the FAOR, SRC or other supervisor (e.g. UNDP RR) should be requested by the SSC to prepare an evaluation according to the format provided here: NC Performance Evaluation Format.