Overview
The Event Specialist (Digital Agriculture) will drive the end-to-end planning, coordination, and delivery of a regional forum on AgriFood Innovation in the AI and Digital Age.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a comprehensive event workplan, timeline and budget.
- Support the design of the three-day programme, ensuring thematic coherence and AI as a cross-cutting thread.
- Develop sponsorship prospectus, partnership packages and other strategic documents to mobilize additional funding.
- Coordinate all logistical aspects of the event, including venue selection, audio-visual and technical infrastructure, catering, accommodation, transportation and security.
- Coordinate the issuance of formal invitations and manage travel and accommodation arrangements for delegates.
- Coordinate the procurement of event-related services.
- Coordinate the exhibition space, liaising with technology partners and exhibitors.
- Develop and manage contingency plans and risk registers.
- Support the identification, issuance of invitations and coordination of speakers, panelists, moderators and facilitators.
- Prepare speaker briefing packages, session guides, moderator notes and participant materials.
- Manage the integration of audience engagement tools.
- Liaise with FAO HQ and national counterparts on protocol.
- Develop and implement the event communications and outreach strategy.
- Oversee the production of all event materials, including the event website, programme booklet, banners, signage, social media content, press releases and multimedia content.
- Manage the event's social media presence and live coverage.
- Support media accreditation and manage relations with regional and international press.
- Coordinate the production and dissemination of post-event knowledge products.
- Manage the publication of all presentations, case studies and session recordings as open-access resources.
- Prepare a comprehensive after-action report with lessons learned and recommendations.
- Provide support to other digital agriculture initiatives and events.
- Liaise with OCC to ensure compliance with FAO communications standards.
- Perform any other relevant duties as required.
Required Experience
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in event management, conference organization, project management, travel/admin/finance support or related fields, preferably in an international or intergovernmental organization context.
- Demonstrated experience in planning and delivering large-scale international conferences, summits or multi-stakeholder events, including end-to-end project management from concept to post-event reporting.
- Experience in managing event budgets, procurement processes and contracts with service providers in compliance with institutional rules and procedures.
- Proven ability to manage speaker and VIP relations, including government ministers, senior UN officials and private sector representatives, with strong protocol awareness.
- Experience in developing sponsorship and partnership packages and mobilizing resources from the private sector and development partners for events.
- Experience managing social media and digital communications for high-profile events.
- Demonstrated experience organizing events for UN agencies, especially FAO, international organizations or government bodies is considered a strong asset.
- Experience working in or with countries in Europe and Central Asia is a strong asset.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Event Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
- Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
