Senior Policy Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. The FAO's mission is to work towards the eradication of hunger and strive for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for everyone, as outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The organization aims to transform agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The FAO operates globally, with a focus on improving production, nutrition, environment, and lives while ensuring that no one is left behind. The Global Action on Green Development of Special Agro-Products (SAPs) was launched in September 2021, focusing on supporting member countries in transforming their agri-food systems through green development initiatives. The FAO has a significant presence in Asia and the Pacific, promoting regional knowledge sharing and supporting countries in developing priority-product value chains, particularly for rural populations and smallholders.

Job Overview:
The Senior Policy Officer position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer and Regional OCOP Coordinator. This role involves close coordination with various FAO entities, including the Regional OCOP Task Force and the FAO OCOP Secretariat. The position focuses on addressing challenges and solutions related to agri-food system transformation, particularly in the context of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). The officer will provide research and policy support on food security and nutrition, conduct literature reviews, and offer technical assistance for SAP development. The role also includes preparing knowledge products, managing databases, and contributing to the coordination of OCOP initiatives, meetings, and events.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Policy Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing research and policy support on food security and nutrition, focusing on global challenges and trends affecting agri-food systems.
• Conducting desk reviews of existing literature and databases related to sustainable and inclusive innovation in SAP development.
• Offering technical assistance for the identification and application of innovations in SAP production, post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, trade, and consumption.
• Surveying, analyzing, and preparing knowledge products such as country briefs, case studies, and technical materials related to OCOP in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Maintaining and updating the regional knowledge platform on OCOP, including information gathering and synthesis.
• Compiling data on key SAP stakeholders in the region.
• Contributing to knowledge sharing, networking, capacity building, and resource mobilization for the OCOP initiative.
• Organizing OCOP meetings, consultations, seminars, and workshops.
• Preparing minutes, reports, communication materials, and promotional content related to OCOP. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in agriculture, food security and nutrition, economics, agriculture policies, trade, statistics, law, food science, value chain, geoinformation systems, natural resources, or closely related fields. Additionally, candidates should have significant experience in food security and nutrition, agri-food system transformation, and related areas. Specific experience requirements include: COF.REG level A/PSA.SBS level A: minimum 10 years; COF.REG level B/PSA.SBS level B: minimum 5 years; COF.REG level C/PSA.SBS level C: minimum 2 years. A working knowledge of English at level C is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, food security and nutrition, economics, agriculture policies, trade, statistics, law, food science, value chain, geoinformation systems, or natural resources. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of food systems and agricultural policies.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a substantial level of experience in areas related to food security and nutrition, agri-food system transformation, and agricultural policies. The experience should be relevant to production, storage, processing, marketing, trade, and consumption of agricultural products. The specific experience requirements vary by level, with a minimum of 10 years for level A, 5 years for level B, and 2 years for level C.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Bangkok, Thailand. It involves working in a multicultural environment and requires strong organizational skills, analytical capacity, and the ability to coordinate and implement programs effectively. The role may involve international collaboration and engagement with various stakeholders in the agricultural sector.