Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to better production, nutrition, environment, and overall quality of life. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations and resource mobilization to enhance food security and agricultural development.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist position is located in the FAO Country Office in Nepal and is primarily focused on providing technical and analytical support for program development and implementation within FAO’s mandate. This role involves contributing to project formulation, managing consultant and vendor recruitment processes, and ensuring quality technical inputs for Terms of Reference (TORs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and project documentation. The Programme Specialist will coordinate with government counterparts, development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to ensure smooth program execution. Additionally, the role emphasizes data collection, analysis, and reporting to advance the Country Programming Framework (CPF), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The position also supports policy dialogues, capacity-building events, and advocacy efforts while contributing to corporate assessments and annual reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: engaging in the identification, formulation, and formalization of program and project proposals; providing technical backstopping support in the implementation of assigned projects; developing and reviewing Terms of Reference for affiliate workforce; coordinating the selection process and ensuring compliance with standards; preparing Requests for Proposals and participating in the evaluation process; establishing and maintaining relationships with government counterparts, international organizations, CSOs, and the private sector; supporting the operationalization of the CPF and UNSDCF; collecting and consolidating relevant data and information; developing technical and analytical reports; contributing to policy dialogues and workshops; promoting the image of FAO through advocacy; supporting the implementation of corporate assessments; and performing any other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, or related fields. They should have at least ten years of relevant experience in agriculture, food systems, food safety, innovation, or in supporting program and project operations, preferably with UN agencies, international or non-governmental organizations, or donor-funded government projects. A working knowledge of English is essential, and candidates must be nationals of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or Development Studies. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of professional experience in agriculture, food systems, food safety, innovation, or related program areas. Candidates should have proven experience serving as a technical focal point in food safety or innovation and a strong track record in resource mobilization, including identifying funding opportunities and preparing proposals aligned with the CPF.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The appointment is subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.