Policy Officer at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Job Posting

16/May/2023

Closure Date

06/Jun/2023, 9:59:00 PM

Job Type

Staff position

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

• 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 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 Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates FAO’s work on various social dimensions including on rural institutions, services, social protection, gender equality, decent rural employment, tenure rights and the right to food. ESP works with member countries and other partners through a rights-based approach, to empower people by enhancing social protection systems and extending their coverage to rural areas, diversifying rural employment opportunities, reducing gender gaps and other social inequalities, strengthening producers’ organizations and improving governance of tenure and the rural poor’s access to natural and productive resources and financial services.
This position is located in the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Policy Officer reports to the Senior Officer (Gender Analysis and Policy), ESP.

Technical Focus
The Policy Officer will support the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment in sustainable agricultural production, rural development and food systems for the elimination of hunger and poverty.

Key Results
Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programmes and 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 relating to policy and governance.
• 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 and missions.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.’
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions
• Contributes to the policy analysis and provides country level support to promote gender equality and rural women’s empowerment in sustainable agriculture and food systems, food security and nutrition, rural development, social protection, climate change and resilience.
• Participates in efforts to support governments in the formulation and implementation of gender responsive and gender-transformative policies, programmes and investment plans for agriculture and food systems, rural development, food security and nutrition, social protection, climate change and resilience.
• Assists in the collection, analysis and dissemination of information on gender aspects of efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems to support the preparation of knowledge products and information sharing materials.
• Provides support in updating, producing and disseminating capacity development materials and information products to enhance the skills of FAO staff and Members to promote gender and social equality in sustainable agriculture, food systems and rural development.
• Participate in the inter-agency collaboration of the United Nations (UN) on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• Undertakes any other assignment related to the implementation of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality, and gender mainstreaming within the Organization.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in political sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field.
• Three years of relevant gender related experience in socio-economic analysis, policy formulation, capacity development and knowledge management in sustainable agriculture and rural development, food security and nutrition, social protection, and climate change and resilience.
• 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
•    Teamwork
•    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.
• Relevance and extent of experience in policy analysis and advice relating to agriculture, food security and nutrition, rural development, food systems, natural resource management, climate change and social protection.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams in the context of inclusive rural transformation, agriculture and food systems, and climate smart agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing capacity development and in organizing gender related meetings and workshops.
• Extent and relevance of experience in quantitative and/or qualitative analysis, particularly with regard of gender inequalities in agriculture, food systems and climate change.

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• 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

• 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
• 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