Innovation Specialist (Agrifood Systems, Science, Technologies and Innovations)

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• 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 Members 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e., to consolidate and strengthen FAO’s innovative spirit, including innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

In this context, OIN's Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) Unit is responsible for leading the ATIO initiative and carrying out foresight and horizon scanning studies to identify and support pathways for the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems while the OIN's Digital Agriculture Unit is responsible for the Science Technology and Innovation (STI) portal, that brings together the ATIO Knowledge Base and the STI network and information & learning resources.

ATIO is a high-profile initiative, consisting of two outlets\: 1) a biennial ATIO report, the first edition of which will be published in October 2025, providing a snapshot of current and emerging trends in agrifood science, technology and innovation (STI); and, 2) the complementary ATIO Knowledge Base (KB) as a part of the STI portal that will act as a dynamic, open—access data and indicator series and a catalogue of technologies and innovations, continuously scanning and structuring agrifood innovations, in particular those most relevant for small- and medium-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The overall rationale for the development of the STI Portal is the implementation of the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy, especially providing “enhanced access to, and use of inclusive, affordable, and context-specific innovations and technologies aiming at achieving sustainable agrifood systems by small-scale producers, family farmers, and other agrifood systems actors”. The STI Portal synergizes with the FAO Global Innovation Model.

The incumbent will provide support to the ATIO initiative as well as the STI portal by providing technical, administrative and coordination support

Reporting Lines

The Innovation Specialist (Agrifood Systems, Science, Technologies and Innovations) reports to the Technical or Senior Innovation Officer.

Technical Focus

The technical focus of the Agrifood Technologies and Innovations Specialist role is to provide support for the development, coordination, and dissemination of the Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) initiative, including its biennial report and ATIO Knowledge Base (KB) as a part of the STI portal and related work.

The role involves contributing technical expertise (including data and information analysis and management) to the equitable development and uptake of innovations and technologies in agrifood systems. Additionally, the incumbent will play a role in contributing to OIN’s work areas on horizon scanning and portfolio sense making, digital innovation and management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the conceptualization and coordination of the development of the high-profile ATIO reports and related publications, such as briefs and background studies, ensuring high quality standards are met.
• Provide overall support to the ATIO initiative, including developing, implementing and monitoring formal partnerships and contracts with service providers, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of services.
• Contribute to the review and publication process of ATIO and related technical papers/background studies.
• Contribute to communications products, events and activities to promote the ATIO initiative in close collaboration with the OIN communications team, such as the ATIO seminar series, presentations at external events and preparation of other OIN events and activities, such as at the annual Science and Innovation Forum, among others.
• Support partner mobilization activities to engage networks of research institutes, universities, producers’ organizations and private sector actors and other relevant partners in support of the ATIO initiative.
• Support the ATIO team in coordinating the activities and meetings of the ATIO Technical Advisory Committee.
• Assist the ATIO team in designing and organizing innovative modalities of scientific content development (e.g., write-shops) and knowledge management activities that will be deployed to generate background analysis for, and sections of, the ATIO reports and related products.
• Support the development of the ATIO Knowledge Base (KB) by ensuring that user cases are well defined, and that partners and knowledge contributors are properly integrated through sound operational mechanisms and governance arrangements.
• Support ATIO Knowledge Base (KB) – prototyping, data curation, validation, and publication of the technologies and innovations, and development of knowledge management system.
• Support developing ATIO innovation catalogues using the KB.
• Support and coordinate dialogues with leading research centers, seeking appropriate interlocutors for producing examples/cases of best-bet innovations and related processes, building partnership structures around these efforts.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with international organizations, development agencies, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to leverage resources and enhance the visibility and impact of the ATIO initiative.
• Support in designing and implementing resource mobilization strategies and plans to attract both financial and in-kind support, ensuring alignment with the ATIO initiative's objectives and priorities.
• Support in portfolio analysis and management of internal and external projects and programmes.
• Help identifying AI-based data and information management tools and approaches for ATIO and portfolio management.
• Support the engagement with stakeholders through the Community of Practice (CoP) of the STI portal.
• Support the organization of webinars, documentation or workshops related to the STI portal.
• Support the curation of technologies and innovation in the STI portal
• Perform other duties as required.

FAO Standards and guidelines\:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology\: http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Data and Information Management, Evaluation and Learning, International Development, Agriculture and/or Food Economics, Political Science, Innovation Systems, or related studies. A university degree combined with 2 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least 1 year (Category C) or 5 years (Category B) of relevant professional working experience in international development, agrifood research, think tanks or other public or private organizations engaged in agrifood technology and innovation, digital innovation, and/or knowledge management in the agrifood sector or other related fields.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent research skills with data and information analytics.
• Proven experience in supporting managing complex projects, partnership, technical writing, and communication.
• Substantive experience in developing analytical instruments and tools to analyse, manage and systematize innovations and technologies, especially using IT and AI based tools.
• Good understanding of international development challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income country contexts and in the agrifood sector.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Demonstrated good command of organization, research, presentation and writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management and planning skills with demonstrated capacity to work in a fast-pace, high pressure environment.

Selection Criteria
• Knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) will be an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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