Food Systems Specialists

FAO; Roma; In loco; EUR 50.000 - 80.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A leading international organization in Rome is seeking a Food Systems Specialist to support project management and policy development. The role involves coordinating initiatives, preparing donor reports, and maintaining databases regarding country-level progress. Ideal candidates should have a Master’s degree in related fields and at least five years of relevant experience, including strong communication and negotiation skills. This position requires adherence to the organization's values and effective teamwork.

Competenze

• At least five years of experience in programme management, reporting or policy support.
• Master’s degree in economics, sustainable development or related field required.
• Working knowledge of English (level C) required.

Mansioni

• Assist in day's coordination of Hub initiatives.
• Support the preparation of donor reports.
• Consolidate country-level project data into dashboards.

Conoscenze

Project management

Communication

Negotiation

Teamwork

Formazione

Master's degree in relevant field

Descrizione del lavoro

Reporting Lines

The Food Systems Specialists will report to the Senior Programme Policy Officer, Programme Officer, Policy Officer (Food Systems Transformation Strategy), Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Technical Focus

The assignments will support the Hub in delivering its overall workplan with specific focus on updating, operationalizing, integrating, implementing and localizing the National Pathways for food systems transformation), while ensuring effective programme reporting and operations management in coordination with other Hub team members and FAO respective divisions.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Food Systems specialists will assist in day-to-day coordination of the Hub initiatives, contributing to the coordination of key workplan deliverables under the relevant supervision of Hub officers. In particular, the Food Systems Specialists will perform the following tasks :

Accompany project implementation in countries, leveraging relevant partnerships

• Schedule, participate and take notes in regular meetings with UNCTs in the countries participating at Hub-led initiatives.
• Design, populate and maintain project database / databases with key country focal points contact details, track country project updates, country report submissions and key issues for follow
• Track and keep record of country-level progress and deliverables.
• Assist in design of project reporting templates
• Assist the technical review of project deliverables from countries.
• Assist the Regional Advisor for Africa in the implementation of activities that the Hub is designing in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD.
• Assist in organizing and archiving knowledge products and outputs in the Hub internal database.
• Contribute to reviewing and expanding the publication Implementing National Food Systems Pathways : Emerging Practices, with new country cases.
• Support the preparation of donor reports by compiling data and country updates for accurate and timely submissions.

Contribute to creating synergies with Hub flagships and other Programme, Reporting and Operational Management

• Design and organize multi-stakeholder dialogues, roundtables, and webinars in collaboration with the Hub, the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and national partners to strengthen country-level science–policy interfaces and promote co-creation.
• Conduct research and analysis on science, innovation, and systems-based approaches to food systems transformation, identifying key knowledge gaps and opportunities for actionable data use at national and regional levels.
• Support capacity-building initiatives by providing technical and coordination support to the Young Leadership Programme (YLP), including the integration of a gender-transformative approaches and engagement of youth as policy co-creators with national convenors, researchers, and civil society.

Support Programme Management

• Prepare, review, and consolidate project-related documentation, including concept notes, technical briefs, progress reports, presentations, and donor submissions
• Provide operational and logistical support for project implementation, in line with approved workplans and budgets, including follow-up on deliverables and timelines
• Liaise with relevant FAO units to facilitate timely processing of requests and smooth project operations
• Support resource planning exercises by consolidating financial and operational inputs from team members and partners.
• Preparation and monitor contractual arrangements with partners, ensuring compliance with FAO procedures and timely delivery of outputs.
• Carry out budget monitoring, data management, and transaction processing, including the review and preparation of Field Budget Authorizations (FBAs), and assist in reconciling and adjusting accounting entries as needed
• Coordinate activities related to project budget and funding management (preparation and submissions, financial statements, progress reports, etc.).
• Maintain an organized filing and archiving system for all project and countries documentation

Track country progress and support project reporting

• Support the analysis of country progress reports and other key documents issuing from the implementation of key initiatives from the Hub.
• Consolidate country-level project data into Hub dashboards and internal databases for streamlined tracking and oversight.
• Assist in design of project reporting templates
• Assist the technical review of project deliverables from countries
• Support the preparation of donor reports by compiling data and country updates for accurate and timely submissions.

Advocacy, communication and resource mobilisation

• Support Hub advocacy efforts (bilateral engagements, participation in global and regional event, etc)
• Support the drafting, reviewing and expanding of communication materials for the Hub website and other channels to disseminate success stories and best practices in consultation with Hub Communication Team.
• In collaboration with the RBAs / UNTF, prepare Rome-based donor briefing (drawing on workshop outputs and / or analysis), and support regular bilateral donor engagement on progress.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in economics, sustainable development, environmental science, international relations, social studies, agriculture or any other closely directly related field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• At least five years of relevant experience in at least one of the following areas : programme management, programme development, reporting, policy support, partnerships, finance, in the area of sustainable development policy and planning.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical / Functional Skills

• Experience working on integrated food systems programming at country, regional or global level
• Experience working on resource mobilization strategies, tactics and donor relations.
• Negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior levels
• Experience developing strategic relationships and advocacy positions in various contexts including in fragility settings and middle-income country contexts.
• Expertise in science-policy research and practice
• Expertise with innovative finance mechanisms
• Two years of field experience in Africa, LAC or Southeast Asia / Pacific Islands
• Knowledge about FAO’s project cycle management and FAO systems such as FPMIS, IMIS and etc
• At least limited knowledge of another official language of the Organization (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
• Familiarity with the work of FAO or other multilateral organizations
• Knowledge of the content of UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and SDG Agenda
• Good writing skills as can be proved by relevant publications record

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
• Formore 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.