FAO Project Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO ensures that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Founded in 1945, FAO has grown to include over 194 member states and operates in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization believes that everyone can contribute to ending hunger and is committed to creating a #ZeroHunger world.

Job Overview:
The FAO Project Associate position is embedded within the project titled 'Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainable Management of Egirdir Lake in Türkiye for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation (SER-SEL)'. This project is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by Egirdir Lake, Türkiye's second-largest freshwater lake, which is vital for biodiversity, agriculture, fisheries, and local livelihoods. The project aims to enhance ecological resilience and sustainable management through various strategies, including biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and improved water-use efficiency. The Project Associate will play a key role in supporting project implementation, coordination, research, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-sharing activities, providing valuable exposure to collaboration with national and local institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, research institutions, and municipalities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the FAO Project Associate include:

• Supporting the implementation and daily coordination of activities under the SER-SEL project, ensuring effective follow-up with FAO colleagues, national counterparts, experts, and implementing partners.
• Assisting in the collection, organization, and review of information and data related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and water-use efficiency.
• Contributing to the preparation of project-related documents, such as meeting notes, briefing materials, presentations, reports, and other technical or program support materials.
• Organizing and documenting stakeholder consultations, workshops, training sessions, field visits, and other project events, while liaising with relevant institutions and partners.
• Engaging stakeholders and facilitating knowledge-sharing activities with government institutions, research organizations, municipalities, cooperatives, local communities, and other relevant partners.
• Contributing to project communication, outreach, and awareness-raising activities, including the preparation of information materials, case studies, project updates, and visibility content.
• Documenting lessons learned, good practices, and project results, including inputs for knowledge management and dissemination activities.
• Supporting knowledge-sharing and coordination activities under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund-supported project, including exchanges with Chinese experts and partners.
• Assisting in project monitoring and follow-up activities by compiling implementation information, participation records, feedback, and other documentation required for project reporting. 1
• Performing other related duties as required within the scope of the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the FAO Project Associate position include a strong understanding of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and sustainable agriculture practices. Candidates should possess excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Proficiency in data collection and analysis, as well as experience in project management, is essential. Familiarity with stakeholder engagement processes and knowledge-sharing activities is also highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the mission of FAO and the principles of sustainable development.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the FAO Project Associate position are expected to have a relevant educational background, typically a degree in environmental science, agriculture, natural resource management, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, or sustainable development practices will be considered an asset. Continuous learning and professional development are encouraged within the organization.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in project implementation, coordination, or management, particularly in the fields of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, or sustainable agriculture. Experience working with international organizations, government agencies, or NGOs in similar roles will be highly regarded. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for the FAO Project Associate position, as it is the working language of the organization. Knowledge of Turkish is highly beneficial for daily interactions and integration into the local context. Additional language skills, particularly in other UN languages, will be considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The FAO Project Associate position is based in Ankara, Türkiye, and the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 2,152, with private insurance coverage provided by CIGNA. An entry allowance of USD 3,500 is granted upon arrival at the duty station, and an exit allowance of USD 225 per month is provided upon satisfactory completion of the assignment. Dependent entitlements are available based on eligibility criteria, and annual leave is accrued at a rate of 2.5 days per calendar month. The position offers free access to various learning platforms and the UN & UNV network. Türkiye, particularly Ankara, offers comfortable living conditions with well-developed infrastructure and reliable public services. The city experiences a continental climate, and security conditions are generally stable, allowing international personnel to access both public and private healthcare services.