Food Security Policy Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
The UN Joint SDG Fund is the United Nations' flagship global financing mechanism aimed at accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Established to strengthen the UN Development System and catalyze systemic transitions at the country level, the Fund promotes integrated policy and financing solutions across various sectors and organizations. It operates as an inter-agency platform for strategic financing, incentivizing transformative policy shifts and mobilizing investments that drive SDG acceleration at both national and sub-national levels. In Nigeria, the Fund focuses on four key result areas, implemented jointly by the three Rome-based Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP) and UNICEF, with FAO leading the governance of the National Food System Transformation Support Facility (NFSTSF).

Job Overview:
The security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security Policy Analyst will play a pivotal role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals agenda in Nigeria, particularly in the context of food systems. This position involves supporting the Nigerian government in coordinating national efforts aimed at improving food systems through comprehensive policy analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. The consultant will be responsible for contributing directly to the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies that enhance the resilience and sustainability of Nigeria's agri-food systems. This role necessitates close collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders, including donor agencies, international organizations, civil society, and private sector entities, to ensure a cohesive approach to food system transformation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will provide technical support to the National Food System Transformation Support Facility (NFSTSF) in Nigeria, which includes: supporting the national FS convener in strengthening sub-national and national coordination through technical working groups and steering committees; building institutional alignment with the Presidential Food System Coordination Unit (PFSCU); organizing zonal food system stock-takes and interministerial review meetings; facilitating periodic review workshops to track food systems pathways implementation; updating dashboards on contributions to national food systems pathways; institutionalizing tracking of food system funding using the Financing for Food Systems (3FS) framework; establishing monitoring dashboards for food systems pathways; reviewing and updating the National Food Systems partner mapping matrix; developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food systems coordination; drafting comprehensive roadmaps for SOP implementation; and performing any other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Agriculture, policy, economics, Agri-food Systems, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in the development sector is required. Candidates must also be nationals of Nigeria and possess a working knowledge of English. FAO core competencies include a focus on results, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Technical skills should include a working knowledge of agrifood systems transformation initiatives, strong analytical skills for conducting food security assessments, proficiency in project management, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, policy, economics, or Agri-food Systems. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of food systems and the policies that govern them.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in the development sector is essential for this role. This experience should ideally include work related to food security, agricultural policy, or related fields, particularly in developing countries, with a preference for experience in Nigeria.

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:
The position is likely to be full-time and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels. The role may also require flexibility in terms of working hours and the ability to travel within Nigeria as needed. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job ad.