Project Officer (Agrifood Systems)

Job Description - Project Officer (Agrifood Systems) (2402177) Job Posting 04/Jul/2024 Closure Date 25/Jul/2024, 9:59:00 PM Organizational Unit: ESF Job Type Staff position Type of Requisition: Professional Project Primary Location Italy-Rome Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension Post Number: 2010329 CCOG Code: 1A11 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 position is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) of the Economic and Social Development Stream.
The Division provides strategic leadership for FAO's support to Member Nations in the development of more sustainable agrifood systems.
Working in close coordination with other technical units at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices, the Division is tasked with integrating FAO's scientific and economic analyses to provide improved policy guidance and targeted investment in agrifood systems.
Bringing together FAO's longstanding experience and capacities in strengthening food safety systems and quality control with its technical support to Member Nations in the areas of value chain development, agroindustry, and agribusiness enterprise development, urban food systems, and food loss and waste, the Division integrates and extends food systems support across the Organization.
ESF leads the implementation of the project Support to the work of the 10YFP Sustainable Food Systems Programme.
This 3-year project aims to contribute to accelerating agrifood systems transformation in the context of the Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Programme of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP).
The SFS Programme is a multi-actor partnership focused on catalyzing urgent transformation towards sustainable food systems, as a critical strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Through a shared vision of inclusive, diverse, resilient, healthy, and sustainable food systems, its members and partners collaborate on joint on-the-ground activities, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts in support of more coherent and holistic policies to address complex food systems challenges.
To do this, the SFS Programme promotes a 'systems-based' approach, which tackles the food system as a whole, taking into account the interconnections between the elements and actors of our food systems and the indispensable trade-offs.
Building on the momentum of the UN Food Systems Summit+2 and Conference Of the Parties 28 and the increasing acknowledgment by leaders and stakeholders of the need to enhance pathways for food systems transformation by linking these with other national strategies and plans around climate, biodiversity, finance, and nutrition, the SFS Programme Working Group on 'Support the Implementation of Food Systems Pathways' is focusing its activities on supporting the connection of food systems pathways more deeply with Nationally Determined Contributions, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and other sector strategies and action plans at country level.
Reporting Lines The Project Officer (Agrifood Systems) reports to the Policy Officer, ESF.
Technical Focus The Project Officer (Agrifood Systems) will provide support to the overall leadership and management of the Support to the work of the 10YFP Sustainable Food Systems Programme project, including to the leadership of the Working Group (WG) 'Support the Implementation of Food Systems Pathways.
Key Results Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products, and services.
Key Functions • Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools, and systems.
• Updates databases and web pages.
• Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• Participates in the organization, conduct, follow-up of meetings, consultations, and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.
Specific Functions • Supports the project 'Support to the work of the 10YFP Sustainable Food Systems Programme', ensuring effective coordination and collaboration with relevant partners of the SFS Programme, including the COP28 Presidency and the Technical Cooperation Collaborative (TCC), the Convergence Initiative, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Coalitions and other relevant partners.
• Supports the development of annual project workplans, supports their implementation and monitoring, adapting based on lessons learned and new opportunities where needed/useful; monitors performance assessment and reports on programme activities.
• Supports the facilitation of the Working Group (WG) 'Support the Implementation of Food Systems Pathways', including support to organizing WG meetings, mobilizing members to deliver on the WG's work plan, organizing learning events, workshops, trainings, and seminars across all countries and regions; and coordinates information sharing.
• Supports the development of knowledge products (including an inventory of resources, case studies, technical notes, toolkits, recommendations, etc.)
in collaboration with WG members and the COP28 Presidency, TCC, and UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.
• Assembles and synthesizes data from workshops and learnings from the WG to help document stories and best practices and to facilitate the development of materials including briefs and technical products to document the insights.
• Provides technical support to stakeholders at global, national, and local levels to strengthen capacities for decision-making about agrifood systems policies and interventions and supports the development of governance structures and institutional processes.
• Identifies individual and organizational experts in agrifood systems development to support project implementation, develops and manages contracts with them.
• Supports outreach and communication activities related to the project (including interactions with the donor partner, the Federal Office for Agriculture of Switzerland), as well as opportunities for intra- and inter-organizational dialogue and sharing of good practices.
• Supports the gender mainstreaming in all project activities and products, for the achievement of gender-related targets and objectives and for gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation.
Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in agrifood systems, political sciences, development studies, agricultural economics, social sciences, environmental sciences, sustainable agriculture, or related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in programme/project support and management in agrifood systems at a global level.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management, as well as in the identification and formulation of programme and project proposals.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in technical and policy matters related to food systems, including normative and field-support work.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in supporting capacity building and in the organization and facilitation of learning events, webinars, workshops, and meetings.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes and of UN and related agencies is considered an asset.
• Experience with country-level challenges in intersectoral policymaking and governance is considered an asset.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is considered an asset.
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: UN Salaries and Benefits 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 WHED Database • 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.
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