Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure)

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 over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and manage natural resources sustainably. The organization is committed to environmental sustainability and works towards transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure) position is situated within the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The role is primarily focused on supporting FAO's initiatives related to inclusive land reform processes at both national and local levels. The officer will be responsible for building the capacities of various stakeholders, including women, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and small farmers, in accordance with the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT). This position requires a strong emphasis on knowledge management and the integration of land tenure considerations into broader environmental and rural development initiatives. The officer will also engage in capacity building and knowledge sharing to enhance the effectiveness of land tenure governance and promote equitable access to land and natural resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure) will undertake a variety of tasks, including: collecting and analyzing relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technological information to support program projects; providing technical input for plans and reports; participating in the development of improved work methods, tools, and systems; updating databases and web pages; collaborating in multi-disciplinary project teams; developing training tools and materials; organizing workshops and seminars; and participating in meetings, consultations, and conferences. Specific functions include supporting the implementation of the Land Tenure Team's work plan, contributing to the development of high-quality training materials, and documenting good practices and success stories related to land tenure.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, natural resources economics, rural sociology, business or public administration, or a closely related field relevant to land tenure and land administration. Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant experience in rural development, including knowledge management and capacity building, is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (level B) is also necessary. Furthermore, candidates must meet specific requirements set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, including Korean citizenship, fluency in Korean and English, and a certificate of English language proficiency.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as agriculture, natural resources economics, rural sociology, business or public administration, or a closely related discipline that pertains to land tenure and land administration. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively contribute to FAO's objectives in land tenure governance.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of relevant experience in rural development, which includes knowledge management, capacity building, and data analysis. Experience in land tenure and governance, as well as familiarity with the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), is highly desirable. Additionally, previous work experience in diverse geographical locations or in field positions is considered an asset, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to adapt to various contexts and challenges in rural development.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position include proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) (level B). Furthermore, candidates must be fluent in Korean, as this is a requirement set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. A certificate of English language proficiency is also required, with specific minimum scores outlined for various English language tests.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) role sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Candidates must be Korean citizens and should not be older than 32 years of age as of December 31, 202

• Male applicants must have completed their military service or be exempted from it. The application process requires submission of various documents, including a completed FAO Personal Profile Form, a motivation letter, proof of residency, university degree certificates, and English proficiency test scores. The application deadline is set for Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM KST.