Social Protection Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The organization works in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's strategic framework aims to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Social Protection Specialist position is crucial for overseeing the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing social protection systems in Malawi. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and UN partners, to ensure that social protection initiatives are effectively integrated with agrifood systems. The role involves providing technical support, conducting assessments, and developing recommendations to improve linkages between social protection programs and agrifood systems. The specialist will also be responsible for organizing workshops and events to disseminate findings and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Social Protection Specialist include:

• Providing strategic leadership on social protection initiatives and engaging with key government ministries to advance FAO’s work in Malawi.
• Co-leading assessments with the Agrifood system expert to develop design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and delivery recommendations.
• Supporting the Agrifood system Expert in defining key issues, research questions, and methodologies for assessments.
• Organizing inception and consultation workshops in various locations to finalize assessment contents.
• Conducting a validation workshop to review report findings.
• Launching a national event in Lilongwe to disseminate assessment findings and foster stakeholder ownership.
• Developing and rolling out training packages on linkages between social protection and agrifood systems.
• Ensuring effective implementation of FAO activities under the Joint SDG project.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Development Studies, Community Development, Economics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in Social Protection within the African context. A working knowledge of English at level C is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as Development Studies, Community Development, Economics, or related disciplines. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of social protection systems and their integration with agrifood systems.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated relevant experience in Social Protection, particularly within the African context. Experience working with international or multilateral organizations, especially the United Nations or FAO, is highly desirable. Familiarity with the social protection-development nexus and experience in data analysis and management are also advantageous.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position, with a proficiency level of C. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or stakeholders involved in the projects.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Lilongwe, Malawi, and may involve travel to other locations within the country for workshops and consultations. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to work in a multicultural environment. The position may involve a contract duration that aligns with project timelines, and compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.