Young Professional Officer (Talent Outreach and Young Talent Programmes)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members who work collaboratively to improve agricultural productivity, enhance nutrition, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. The FAO Human Resources Division plays a crucial role in this mission by attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse and highly skilled workforce, fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation.

Job Overview:
The Young Professional Officer (Talent Outreach and Young Talent Programmes) position is situated within the Talent Outreach Team of the Talent Acquisition Branch of the Human Resources Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role is pivotal in supporting the coordination of talent outreach and young talent programmes, including the Young Professional Programme (YPP), Junior Professional Officers (JPO) Programme, and the FAO Global Internship, Volunteers and Fellows Programme (IVF). The incumbent will engage in strategic planning and execution of recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with FAO's mission and values. The position requires a proactive approach to sourcing and attracting high-caliber talent, with a focus on enhancing workforce diversity and inclusion. The Young Professional Officer will also be responsible for providing technical support and analysis to various HR programmes and projects, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the organization’s human resources strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Young Professional Officer will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: analyzing relevant social, economic, environmental, and technological data to inform HR strategies; maintaining and updating databases and web pages related to talent outreach; providing technical support for various HR projects; collaborating in the development of training tools and materials; organizing workshops and seminars; participating in meetings and consultations; supporting talent outreach and sourcing activities; planning recruitment needs; monitoring implementation of outreach strategies; advising on selection processes; contributing to the design and implementation of innovative young talent acquisition strategies; serving as a focal point for young talent programmes; assisting in the end-to-end recruitment processes; identifying strategic partnership opportunities; evaluating and enhancing programme delivery; preparing high-quality communications and analytical reports; resolving operational issues during programme implementation; and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders throughout the programme lifecycle.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business administration, organizational development, industrial psychology, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience in human resources management, specifically in areas such as talent acquisition, talent management, outreach, and sourcing. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is required. Candidates should also demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement, along with technical and functional skills relevant to the role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields related to human resources management, business administration, organizational development, or industrial psychology. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of human resources and effectively contributing to the organization's talent acquisition and management strategies.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one year of relevant experience in human resources management, particularly in talent acquisition, talent management, outreach, and sourcing. Experience in supporting the development and implementation of outreach strategies or managing young talent programmes is highly desirable. Familiarity with automated human resources management systems and platforms is also beneficial, as is relevant work experience in multiple locations or areas of work, including field positions.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language, which can be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is specifically designed for talented, qualified professionals who are primarily nationals of non- and under-represented countries. Priority will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and developing countries in general. This recruitment initiative aims to help candidates start a career as international civil servants with FAO. The position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment.