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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 Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

In recognition of the key role that soils play in supporting ecosystems, promoting agricultural productivity, and contributing to overall environmental health, RAP developed a strategy to support and promote the practice of sustainable soil management in the region. Building on RAP’s priorities, countries priorities and the 2022-2030 Action framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the strategy focuses on\:

1. creating enabling environments to the practice of sustainable soil and land management and the transformation of agrifood systems;
2. increasing food security and countries’ resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change and market shocks through capacity building on sustainable soil management;
3. assessing and monitoring the impacts of sustainable soil and land management on soil health and its overarching contribution to One Health; and
4. boosting partnership and collaboration on sustainable soil and land management.

Reporting Lines

The International Soil Management Specialist reports to the office of the FAO Assistant Director-General for Asia and the Pacific. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision and technical guidance of the Land Management Officer at RAP.

Technical Focus

Supporting the development and implementation of the RAP soil strategy.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Write national policy briefs, aligned with the policy brief series initiated by RAP in 2025, coordinating with national government offices and FAO country offices as needed.
• Write regional soil reports, including the Regional Report on Soil Governance and the related recommendations to support the development of National Soil Strategies.
• Lead or contribute to the writing of regional strategies and action plans like the RAP action plan and resource mobilization strategy on peatlands, ensuring coherence with regional and international frameworks and reflecting both country-level and FAO corporate priorities.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and regular updating of the Asia-Pacific Field Interventions Impact Reporting and Monitoring (AP-FIRM) Platform, including supporting data collection and entry, assisting data providers with data uploads, and conducting data quality control.
• Lead or contribute to the development of the AP-FIRM platform Phase II, including qualitative data reporting features and the development of weighted value formulas.
• Lead or contribute to project design and implementation
• Lead or contribute to the development of the RAP soil webpage
• Produce technical content to promote awareness on soil health and FAO work on the topic across the region, including social media content and newsletters for publication on the RAP soil webpage.
• Produce training materials or review and improve the technical content of existing materials, such as those developed under the Farmer Field Schools, to strengthen soil health capacities across the region.
• Provide in-person and online training to enhance national and regional capacities in soil health assessment, management, monitoring, and reporting.
• Organize expert talks, webinars, and knowledge-sharing events on key soil-related topics as required.
• Represent FAO at national, regional, and international meetings and events, delivering presentations and contributing technical inputs as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in soil sciences, agriculture, or environmental sciences.
• At least 1 year for category C and 5 years for category B of relevant professional experience in soil governance, soil health assessment and management, sustainable land management, or related fields, including experience in policy analysis, preparation of technical reports, capacity development, and support to data management and monitoring platforms.
• Working knowledge of English is required; knowledge of additional FAO languages is considered a strong asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

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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