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- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values.
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis and provides evidence-based support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analyzing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy and climate-smart agriculture.
The Division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
ESA Division also hosts the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) Secretariat, the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for a broad range of committed stakeholders to work together in a coordinated manner and in support of country-led processes towards the elimination of hunger and ensuring food security and nutrition for all (SDG2). The CFS Secretariat comprises staff and resources from the FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The CFS Secretariat provides technical and administrative support to the Committee, its Plenary Session, Bureau and Advisory Group Meetings and its intersessional working groups.
The position is located in the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Food Security Policy and Governance Specialist reports to the CFS Secretary and will work in close collaboration with other members of the CFS Secretariat.
Technical Focus
Engagement in and/or support of multistakeholder collaboration, food security and nutrition governance, technical and strategic support to the CFS Secretariat and technical, strategic, and administrative support to the CFS Chairperson.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Coordinate the development, review, and analysis of food security and nutrition policy documents, ensuring alignment and coherence with international frameworks, supporting the drafting of background documentation, papers, policy briefs, concept notes, outcomes and others, as requested and needed.
- Support and contribute to the planning and rollout of CFS intersessional and High-Level meetings as established in the CFS Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPoW) 2024-2027, including planning and organizing Plenary sessions, Bureau and Advisory Group meetings, Bureau meetings, with related supporting material.
- Support activities related to CFS policy convergence processes and other thematic workstreams by providing technical and analytical inputs.
- Coordinate outreach and visibility activities of the CFS Chairperson, including preparation of briefs and speaking notes for meetings and events.
- Prepare CFS Chairperson's statements, speeches, letters, presentations and articles, in collaboration with the CFS Secretariat.
- Assist and advise the CFS Chairperson in topics related to food security and nutrition in bilateral and multilateral meetings with key stakeholders.
- Perform any other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- University degree in economics, political science, food science or a related field.
- At least one year (for PSA.SBS category C), two years (for consultant category C), five years (for category B) or ten years (for category A) of relevant experience in Food Security and Nutrition policy and governance, running intergovernmental/governing bodies' meetings, or managing programmes in food security and nutrition-related policy work.
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience with intergovernmental and multi-stakeholders platforms and governing bodies.
- UN working experience is considered an asset.
- Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English. A second FAO language is an asset.
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms, including government agencies, civil society, private sector, and UN agencies, to promote inclusive policy dialogues.
- Advise on issues related to the integration of food security into broader development strategies, including social protection, climate resilience, and economic development plans, gender, youth, education and/or capacity building.
- Develop policy briefs, reports, and recommendations to support decision-makers and influence food security policies.
- Conduct policy research and analysis on emerging food security and nutrition crises, including climate change, conflict, and economic shocks.
- Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from food security governance initiatives.
- Proven experience and strong skills in one or more of the key areas of work listed above.
- Proficiency in written and verbal communication, including managing politically sensitive and confidential matters.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively across the organization.
- Familiarity with FAO Rules and Procedures, FAO mandate, protocol and governance procedures is required.
Selection Criteria
- Extent and relevance of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
- Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating the organization of high-level events and conferences.
- Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered an asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO's client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp.
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