Social Protection Specialist

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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) is committed to achieving food security for all by supporting the transformation of agri-food systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) oversees work across 47 Sub-Saharan African countries, aligning its efforts with regional priorities and contributing to the realization of FAO’s Strategic Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. RAF plays a key role in identifying, planning, and implementing FAO’s regional priorities. RAF maintains strong partnerships with regional institutions, including the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and promotes a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to programming in close collaboration with FAO Headquarters, Subregional, and Country Offices.

FAO recognizes social protection as a vital instrument for reducing rural poverty, enhancing resilience, and supporting inclusive agricultural transformation. Although notable progress has been made in expanding social protection systems across Sub-Saharan Africa, critical gaps remain in terms of coverage, adequacy, and integration with agrifood systems for comprehensiveness. To address these challenges, the Social Protection Team at RAF works closely with governments and development partners to strengthen and scale up inclusive social protection systems that contribute to food security, nutrition, resilience to climate change and other shocks while reducing poverty and inequalities.

This position is based within the Regional Social Protection Team and contributes directly to strengthening social protection systems across Africa.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall leadership of the FAO Regional Office Programme Lead for Social Protection and technical supervision of the Social Policy Officer.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide policy and programmatic technical expertise to support FAO’s work on social protection and the resilience of rural populations. This includes, but is not limited to, areas such as economic inclusion programming, inclusive climate action, nutrition- and gender-sensitive social protection, and the development and strengthening of shock-responsive social protection systems.

Tasks and responsibilities

The specialist shall undertake the following duties\:

• Provide strategic policy and programmatic support to governments and FAO teams at country, subregional, and regional levels on social protection.
• Offer technical guidance for the integration of social protection into national development plans and agrifood systems transformation strategies.
• Support the formulation of policies and the design of programmes to strengthen social protection systems that contribute to food security, nutrition, climate action, agriculture, and rural development
• Support socio-economic analyses to inform the linkages between social protection, climate adaptation, resilience building, shock responsiveness, and poverty reduction.
• Support the design and implementation of joint initiatives aimed at expanding social protection coverage to rural populations, including pastoralists, fisherfolk, and communities vulnerable to climate change.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products and tools related to nutrition-sensitive social protection, climate adaptation, shock-responsive systems, and broader system-strengthening efforts.
• Provide technical inputs to corporate processes, including Common Country Assessments (CCAs), Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), regional strategies, reports, and communication materials.
• Support capacity development efforts through the design and delivery of trainings, workshops, guidance materials, and other knowledge sharing activities.
• Contribute to the strengthening of strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and regional advocacy efforts.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in political science, economics, development studies, social anthropology or other relevant social sciences or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• At least one-year relevant experience for (Category C) five years’ relevant experience (Category B) or at least ten years' relevant experience (Category A) in social protection, socio-economic analysis, policy advice, programmes design and implementation and capacity building activities in relation to social protection and rural development
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of country-based experience in strengthening national social protection systems for rural populations and their integration with agricultural and/or climate policies and programmes.
• Extent and relevance of experience supporting the development of knowledge products to inform and influence the design of social protection programmes
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Work experience in more than one location, particularly in field positions.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of additional UN official languages, French in particular, is considered an asset.
• Previous work experience in Africa region an added advantage

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

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• 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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