Policy Officer (One Health)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries, working to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and works collaboratively with various stakeholders to implement effective policies and programs.

Job Overview:
The Policy Officer (One Health) plays a crucial role in supporting the advancement of One Health approaches across agrifood systems. This position emphasizes the integration of various health sectors, including antimicrobial resistance, food safety, animal production and health, plant health, and environmental health. The officer will assist member countries in translating One Health principles into actionable policies and governance mechanisms, thereby enhancing their capacity to address health threats at the human-animal-plant-environment interface. The role involves providing technical and policy advice, facilitating multisectoral coordination, and ensuring that One Health strategies are effectively implemented in line with FAO's Strategic Framework. The officer will also engage in resource mobilization efforts to develop coherent and fundable One Health programs that align with country needs and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Policy Officer (One Health) is responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing technical and policy advice to FAO Members and stakeholders for the development and implementation of policies and programs aimed at improving food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.
• Advocating for strategic partnerships and best practices to enhance governance for food and nutrition security.
• Participating in multidisciplinary teams and high-level policy analysis missions, contributing to international policy-setting bodies.
• Interacting with various FAO teams to improve cross-sectorial policies concerning food security and sustainable development.
• Designing and participating in resource mobilization activities to support One Health initiatives.
• Planning and organizing capacity development activities, providing technical advice, and overseeing the development of related materials.
• Supporting the integration of One Health approaches across various health and agricultural programs, addressing issues such as antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
• Promoting the application of international standards and guidance relevant to One Health.
• Facilitating collaboration with international and national partners to enhance the effectiveness of One Health programs. 1
• Contributing to resource mobilization and donor engagement for FAO's One Health portfolio.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as political sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, or sustainable agriculture. Additionally, candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in policy advice and analysis related to food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development. A strong working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) is required, along with intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as political sciences, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, or sustainable agriculture. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of One Health policies and their implementation in agrifood systems.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in policy advice and analysis, particularly in areas related to food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development. Experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams is highly valued, as is familiarity with One Health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and agrifood systems. The role requires a proven track record in developing and implementing policies, strategies, and governance frameworks related to One Health and AMR, as well as experience in program development, monitoring, and resource mobilization.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish). This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the international arena.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is a full-time role, and candidates will be assessed against the specified qualifications and competencies. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of nationality or background. Compensation and benefits will be in accordance with FAO's policies and regulations.