Youth Affairs Specialist

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 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 has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The organization is committed to transforming agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, thereby contributing to better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Job Overview:
The Youth Affairs Specialist will play a crucial role in the Office of Youth and Women (OYW) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This position is designed to attract individuals who can contribute to the development and execution of strategies and action plans for the World Food Forum (WFF) tracks, programmes, and workstreams. The incumbent will focus on youth empowerment in the context of agrifood systems transformation, addressing policy, innovation, education, culture, and outreach. The role requires collaboration with various partners to amplify messages and events related to the WFF, as well as the creation and adaptation of content for diverse activities. The Youth Affairs Specialist will also manage key events, engage with external partners, and oversee the measurement and reporting of WFF activities, all while ensuring compliance with FAO standards and guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Youth Affairs Specialist include coordinating and collaborating with partners to enhance the visibility and impact of the WFF, creating and adapting various content types such as presentations, articles, and videos, and supporting key meetings and events. The specialist will manage the preparation and organization of significant WFF events, including drafting concept notes and follow-up communication materials. Additionally, the role involves leading engagements with external partners, co-managing the team of volunteers and interns, developing new initiatives to boost youth inclusivity, and supporting the WFF Coordinator in various tasks. The specialist may also undertake short missions to field offices to assist with campaign-related tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in political science, business administration, marketing, international development, or related fields. Relevant experience is required, with at least one year for PSA.SBS category C, two years for Consultant category C, five years for category B, and ten years for category A. Experience should be in developing advocacy platforms, running events, leading marketing and communications, or managing programmes in youth and/or food-related organizations or development agencies similar to FAO. A working knowledge (C level) of English is mandatory, and familiarity with FAO's core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in fields such as political science, business administration, marketing, international development, or other related areas. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of youth empowerment and agrifood systems transformation, as well as for effectively engaging with various stakeholders in the field.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Youth Affairs Specialist position varies based on the category of the role. For PSA.SBS category C, a minimum of one year of relevant experience is required. For Consultant category C, two years are necessary, while five years of experience is needed for category B, and ten years for category A. This experience should be focused on developing advocacy platforms, managing events, leading marketing and communications efforts, or overseeing programmes in youth and/or food-related organizations or development agencies similar to FAO.

Languages:
A working knowledge (C level) of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having a limited knowledge (B level) of a second FAO language such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, and is part of the FAO's efforts to enhance youth and women's empowerment in agrifood systems. The role may involve short missions to field offices as required. Candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined, and the position may involve collaboration with various FAO divisions and partners to ensure compliance with organizational standards and guidelines. The FAO emphasizes the importance of gender equality and youth empowerment in its initiatives, and the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to these goals.