Junior Food Systems Specialists

Overview

Junior Food Systems Specialists role at FAO within the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (Hub). The Hub, hosted by FAO in Rome, facilitates country-level initiatives and flagship programmes to advance National Food Systems Transformation Pathways.

Role

The Hub coordinates country initiatives, collaborates with UN Resident Coordinator Offices and other UN Country Teams, and supports implementing national pathways through technical, financial, and partnership initiatives.

Reporting Lines

The Food Systems Specialists report to the Senior Programme Policy Officer and to other Hub officers including Programme Officer, Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems).

Technical Focus

Assist in operationalising National Pathways: updating, integrating, and localising food systems transformation plans, and ensuring effective programme reporting and operations management.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Draft meeting agendas, send invitations to UNCTs, and take detailed notes during meetings.
• Maintain contact lists, manage project updates in the database, flag missing reports, and collect deliverables for review.
• Prepare and proofread country reports, consolidate multi-country data, assist donor reporting, and upload finalized documents to the Hub archive.
• Save knowledge products, update the Hub’s internal database, and prepare summaries and short summaries of knowledge products.
• Draft participant lists for multi‑stakeholder dialogues and webinars, prepare logistical checklists, and assist in creating PowerPoint presentations and briefing notes.
• Gather basic data on science and innovation initiatives, summarize key findings, maintain knowledge gap lists, and support Young Leadership Programme logistics.
• Draft concept notes, track deliverable deadlines, prepare budget tracking spreadsheets, and monitor contractual arrangements with partners.
• Assist in reconciling accounting entries, support budget and funding management, and maintain project files and an archiving system.
• Draft short success stories for the Hub website, gather photos and quotes from country teams, prepare donor briefing notes, and support bilateral donor engagement.
• Respond to routine partner emails, keep an updated project activity calendar, and perform other administrative tasks as requested.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, sustainable development, environmental science, international relations, social studies, agriculture or a closely related field. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree must have two additional years of relevant experience.
• At least one year of relevant experience in programme management, development, reporting, policy support, partnerships or finance within sustainable development policy and planning.
• Level C working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another UN official language (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical / Functional Skills

• Experience in integrated food systems programming at country, regional or global levels.
• Experience with resource mobilisation strategies, tactics and donor relations.
• Experience in developing strategic relationships and advocacy positions across diverse contexts.
• Knowledge of science‑policy research, practice and innovative finance mechanisms.
• Field experience in Africa, LAC or Southeast Asia/Pacific Islands.
• Knowledge of FAO project cycle management and FAO systems such as FPMIS and IMIS.
• Limited knowledge of at least one other UN official language.
• Familiarity with FAO or other multilateral organisations.
• Knowledge of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and SDG Agenda.
• Strong writing skills with a record of relevant publications.

EEO Statement

• 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 adheres to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and upholds FAO’s values.
• FAO, as a specialised agency of the United Nations, has a zero‑tolerance policy for any conduct incompatible with its status, objectives or 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.

Job Posting

25 Nov 2025

Closure Date

10 Dec 2025, 5:59:00 AM

Primary Location

Italy – Rome

Duration

From 3 to 11 months (with possibility of extension)