Sustainable Food Systems Specialist

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. The Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) supports a coordinated approach to the development of food systems, including inter alia, engagement in global level dialogue, platform and initiatives, the strengthening of food safety and quality at national, regional and international levels, the development of sustainable food value chains, reductions in food loss and waste and the implementation of the urban food agenda. Reporting Lines The Sustainable Food Systems Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of ESF, and the direct supervision of the Agribusiness Officer. Technical Focus Food systems transformation has been identified as one of the key entry points towards sustainable development. To advance towards socio-economically, nutritionally and environmentally sustainable food systems, policy makers require information on the interactions and trade-offs across value chains, actors, drives and outcomes within and beyond food systems. In addition, transformation requires for stakeholders to engage and collaborate. Tasks will take place under the aegis of (i) the One Planet Network’s Multi-partner Trust Fund project on “Promoting sustainable food consumption and production patterns through integrated tools, advocacy and multi-stakeholder action” which aims to accelerate the implementation of SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production; and the Flexible Multi-Partner Mechanism (FMM) on Sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems development focussed on agri-business, multi-stakeholder collaboration and cross-sectoral dialogue for food systems development; Aid for Trade; and FLW reduction. Tasks and responsibilities The successful candidate will support in the above area of work, and in particular will: - Support the development, consultation process and implementation of the FAO-UNEP-UNDP multi-stakeholder tool to accelerate food systems transformation. - Support the coordination of the pilot testing of the multi-stakeholder tool in Uganda. - Map and support as needed coordinated synergies with parallel projects focussed on sustainable food systems within FAO and in consultation with UNEP and UNDP, in particular for Uganda and Tanzania. - Support project management activities of the MPTF project including updating website pages and progress communications. - Provide any other support to the project as indicated by ESF management. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements • University degree in food security, development, economics, business, food systems or a related field. Higher degree will be an advantage. • At least one year of relevant experience in food systems transformation research and/or projects. Experience working in UN agencies is desired and experience in the private sector working at different stages of the food value chain is a plus. • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Spanish for Consultants. FAO Core Competencies • Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills • Familiarity with project reporting. • Demonstrable experience in engaging with a variety of stakeholders of the food system. • Demonstrable experience at a UN agency level working closely with external partner organizations and country offices. • Familiarity with FAO areas of work (food systems, food safety, food security, nutrition, climate change, etc.) • Proven experience with FAO’s remote working tools, namely Zoom, MS Teams, One Drive and MS Office. • Demonstrated capacity to work under stringent time pressure and prioritise tasks. Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency