Social Protection Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all by transforming agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of professionals worldwide. The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) specifically oversees operations across 47 Sub-Saharan African countries, aligning its initiatives with regional priorities and contributing to the FAO’s Strategic Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. RAF collaborates with various regional institutions, including the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD, to promote a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to programming in close cooperation with FAO Headquarters, Subregional, and Country Offices.

Job Overview:
The Social Protection Specialist position is integral to the FAO's Regional Social Protection Team, focusing on enhancing social protection systems across Africa. The role involves providing policy and programmatic technical expertise to support FAO’s initiatives on social protection and the resilience of rural populations. The incumbent will engage in various areas, including economic inclusion programming, inclusive climate action, and the development of shock-responsive social protection systems. This position is crucial for addressing the gaps in social protection coverage and integration with agrifood systems, thereby contributing to food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specialist will undertake a variety of duties, including:

• Providing strategic policy and programmatic support to governments and FAO teams at various levels on social protection.
• Offering technical guidance for integrating social protection into national development plans and agrifood systems transformation strategies.
• Supporting the formulation of policies and designing programs that strengthen social protection systems contributing to food security, nutrition, climate action, and rural development.
• Conducting socio-economic analyses to inform the connections between social protection, climate adaptation, resilience building, and poverty reduction.
• Designing and implementing initiatives aimed at expanding social protection coverage to rural populations, including vulnerable communities.
• Contributing to the development of knowledge products and tools related to nutrition-sensitive social protection and broader system-strengthening efforts.
• Providing technical inputs to corporate processes, including Common Country Assessments and Country Programming Frameworks.
• Supporting capacity development through training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Strengthening strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as political science, economics, development studies, or social anthropology. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience for Category C, five years for Category B, or ten years for Category A in social protection, socio-economic analysis, policy advice, design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, and capacity building activities related to social protection and rural development.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in political science, economics, development studies, social anthropology, or other relevant social sciences. A bachelor's degree is acceptable if accompanied by two additional years of relevant professional experience, emphasizing the importance of formal education in relation to the job's responsibilities.

Experience:
The position requires varying levels of experience based on the category: at least one year for Category C, five years for Category B, and ten years for Category A. Relevant experience should include social protection, socio-economic analysis, policy advice, program design, and implementation, as well as capacity building activities in relation to social protection and rural development.

Languages:
Full proficiency or working knowledge of English is mandatory. Knowledge of additional UN official languages, particularly French, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve working in multiple locations, particularly in field positions across the African region. The role is likely to be full-time and may require international travel. Candidates with previous work experience in the African region will have an added advantage, and the organization emphasizes the importance of building effective relationships and knowledge sharing within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.