Food Systems Specialists

FAO; Roma; In loco; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A global organization for food and agriculture is seeking a Food Systems Specialist in Rome. The role involves supporting national pathways for food systems transformation, managing projects, and ensuring effective reporting. Candidates require a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, with a focus on sustainable development policies. This is a consultant position with a duration of 3 to 11 months, and it promotes diversity in the workforce.

Servizi

Possibility of extension

Diversity and inclusion commitments

Competenze

• Master's degree in economics, sustainable development, or related fields.
• At least five years of experience in programme management or development.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

Mansioni

• Support project implementation with country-level initiatives.
• Contribute to synergies with national partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare documentation and reports for project management.
• Track country progress and consolidate project data.

Conoscenze

Project management

Partnerships

Resource mobilisation

Negotiation

Communication

Formazione

Master's degree in relevant field

Strumenti

FAO project cycle management

Descrizione del lavoro

Organizational Setting

The UN Food Systems Summit (hereinafter UNFSS), held during the 2021 UN General Assembly, set the stage for global food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Under the leadership of the Secretary‑General, the FSS made it clear that transformative action in food systems is fundamental to achieving the SDGs. As a follow‑up to the Summit, the UN Secretary‑General (UNSG) has committed the UN system to establish a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (hereafter the Hub) to support countries implementing food system transformation pathways towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The Hub is hosted by FAO in Rome on behalf of the UN System.

Role

The Hub has a coordinating and connector role drawing on the capacities of the UN system and leveraging advice and expertise from a wider ecosystem of support, serving countries, by incentivising existing institutions to deliver on their mandates in a systemic way. The Biennial Work Plan 2024‑2026 is structured along an evolving version of the six key functions adopted for the 2022‑2023 Work Plan, recomposed into five coordination clusters: Landing the Vision (Overarching Cluster), Policy and Governance, Science and Knowledge, Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration, and Finance and Investment. In line with its mandate, the Hub coordinates country‑level initiatives to support the implementation of National Pathways and, in close collaboration with UN Resident Coordinator Offices and UN Country Teams, facilitates through a range of flagship programmes technical support to advance the implementation of National Food Systems Transformation Pathways and strengthen the capacity of National Convenors.

Reporting Lines

The Food Systems Specialists will report to the Senior Programme Policy Officer, Programme Officer, Policy Officer (Food Systems Transformation Strategy), and 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, operationalising, integrating, implementing, and localising 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

• Accompany project implementation in countries, leveraging relevant partnerships
  • Schedule, participate in, and take notes in regular meetings with UNCTs in the countries participating at Hub‑led initiatives.
  • Design, populate, and maintain project databases with key country focal points contact details, track country project updates, country report submissions and key issues for follow‑up.
  • Track and keep record of country‑level progress and deliverables.
  • Assist in design of project reporting templates.
  • Assist in 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 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 Hubships and other Programme, Reporting and Operational Management
  • Design and organise 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 integration of 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.
  • Prepare 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 Authorisations (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 organised filing and archiving system for all project and country documentation.
• Track country progress and support project reporting
  • Support the analysis of country progress reports and other key documents 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 events, 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 the Hub Communication Team.
  • In collaboration with the RBAs/UNTF, prepare Rome‑based donor briefings (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 followingMinimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in economics, sustainable development, environmental science, international relations, social studies, agriculture or any other closely related field. Consultants with a 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 mobilisation 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 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 others.
• At least limited knowledge of another official language of the Organisation (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
• Familiarity with the work of FAO or other multilateral organisations.
• Knowledge of the content of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and SDG Agenda.
• Good writing skills, as can be proved by a relevant publications record.

Job Posting

24/Nov/2025

Closure Date

08/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM

Organisational Unit

OSG

Job Type

Non‑staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Italy‑Rome

Duration

From 3 to 11 months (with possibility of extension)

Post Number

N/A

Equal Opportunity

• 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.