IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
• 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
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.
Organizational Setting
The Food Systems Summit (FSS), 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 has committed the UN system to establish a UN Food Systems Coordination 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. Its role is to facilitate the identification of support services and set up a system to coordinate support to countries, by UN agencies and other actors of the Ecosystem of Support.
The post is located in the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) reports to the Director, OSG.
Technical Focus
The Hub will stimulate and support action for SDG-based food systems transformations towards acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The Hub’s mission will be to serve countries through systemic, country-driven, customized support in translating their commitments into effective actions to reach economic, social and environmentally sustainable food systems by 2030.
The Hub will act as the independent, critical nexus point inside the UN System in relation to food systems and the 2030 Agenda.
The Hub will focus on leveraging the broad range of assets of the UN system – particularly within the context of the repositioning of the UN development system - and existing SDG reporting structures to demonstrate progress. The Hub will act as a coordinator and connector among diverse constituencies to support national progress on the SDGs and being responsive to country priorities.
Key Results
Strengthens capacities of countries to design and adopt science-based, strategic and forward-looking systems approaches in their national policies and actions on food systems.
Key Functions
•Provides policy expertise and advice to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services.
• Provides technical and programmatic support on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties.
• Coordinates and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Leads the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings and conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates and/or leads training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Provides guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.
Specific Functions
• Acts as Secretary of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub “Science Advisory Committee - SAC”.
• Supports the SAC Chair and Co-Chairs in performing their duties.
• Organizes, as per coordination with the SAC Chair, regular and ad-hoc meetings of the SAC.
• Keeps track of the work plan of the SAC and provide updates to the Chair and Membership, as per requests.
• Provides technical support for the development of the SAC deliverables.
• Facilitates partnerships between the SAC and other relevant global, regional and national science group in the area of sustainable food systems.
• Develops technically robust draft proposals in support of the work of the SAC.
• Compiles science-based evidence in the form of policy briefs or other relevant documents for food systems transformations to inform policy planning.
• Organizes webinars, science-policy roundtables and other relevant events on sustainable food systems with a view to scale up science-policy interface for informed policy-making.
• Facilitates engagement and collaboration with science and technology organizations and normative UN agencies.
• Organizes Stocktaking Moment events related to science, technology and innovation, and drafting background and outcome documents, as relevant.
• Ensures overall coordination or liaison on behalf of the Hub with STM co-organizers.
• Provides any other coordination and support related to the tasks above.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (PhD or Doctorate or equivalent) in political sciences, international relations, sustainable development or closely related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in coordinating science-based analytical work, policy development, capacity building and science-policy interfaces on issues related to sustainable development.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Excellent scientific writing skills as proven by publication records.
• Relevance and extent of experience working with science groups on sustainable development related topics.
• Relevance and extent of experience working on interdisciplinary science topics for sustainable development.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-sectoral teams.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• 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/
• 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 contact: Careers@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT