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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, is supporting implementation of the Joint United Nations Nutrition Programme (UNN) in Sierra Leone to strengthen food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
Within this framework, FAO is supporting the technical process for the preparation of inputs to the development of a National Food Systems Action Plan aligned with:
• Feed Salone Strategy
• UNSDCF priorities
• National development frameworks
• Food systems transformation priorities
The assignment will provide technical and analytical support to the preparation and consolidation of background materials, analytical inputs, and technical documentation contributing to the development of the Action Plan under the close supervision of FAO technical teams and government counterparts.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR), and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme). The incumbent will work in close coordination with the National Technical Coordinator, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), designated technical focal points from relevant institutions.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will provide technical and analytical support related to:
• food systems assessments,
• policy and strategy reviews,
• compilation and analysis of technical information,
• drafting and consolidation of technical inputs,
• preparation of analytical documentation supporting the development of the Food Systems Action Plan..
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will provide technical analytical support and will not independently represent FAO, undertake institutional decision-making functions, or independently lead stakeholder consultation processes.
Diagnostic and Analytical Support
• Conduct desk reviews of existing food systems studies and assessments, national policies and strategies, Food Systems Dialogues outputs, relevant programme and sector reports.
• Compile and summarize analytical findings related to food systems constraints, opportunities, investment priorities, policy alignment issues.
Stakeholder Consultation Support
• Support preparation of technical materials and background documents for stakeholder consultations organized by FAO and Government counterparts.
• Assist in compiling stakeholder inputs and consultation summaries.
• Support preparation of meeting notes, reports, and analytical summaries.
• Assist in ensuring documentation of consultation processes and stakeholder feedback.
Food Systems Analysis Support
• Support compilation and organization of available information related to food production, processing, distribution, consumption systems, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, market systems.
• Contribute analytical inputs to support identification of food systems priorities and challenges.
Support to Preparation of Food Systems Action Plan
Working under the guidance of the National Technical Coordinator and Lead Technical Officer:
• Support drafting and consolidation of technical sections of the Action Plan.
• Assist in compiling technical inputs related to priority interventions, investment areas, implementation considerations, indicative timelines.
• Support alignment of draft materials with Feed Salone Strategy, national development frameworks, UN programming frameworks.
Policy and Technical Documentation Support
• Compile technical information and analytical observations related to food safety, climate-resilient production, value chains, nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
• Support preparation of technical background notes and briefing materials.
Monitoring Framework Support
• Assist in preparing draft monitoring indicators, tracking matrices, and reporting templates under guidance of FAO technical teams.
• Support organization and consolidation of monitoring-related information and documentation.
Validation and Finalization Support
• Support technical and logistical preparation of validation workshops organized by FAO and Government counterparts.
• Assist in consolidating comments and technical feedback received during validation processes.
• Support formatting and finalization of technical documents.
Reporting
• Prepare and submit assigned technical outputs and analytical summaries in a timely manner.
• Maintain proper documentation of analytical work conducted during the assignment.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Food Systems, Nutrition, Development Studies or related field
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in strategic planning, food systems or agricultural policy, multi-sectoral programme development
• Working knowledge of English (Level C).
• National of Sierra Leone or resident of the country with valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong expertise in food systems analysis and transformation frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Experience in results-based management (RBM).
• Strong analytical, writing, and reporting skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs under tight timelines.
Selection criteria
• Proven experience in policy analysis and development, national strategy/action plan formulation, stakeholder facilitation at high level
• Experience with international organizations (FAO, UN, WB, etc.) is highly desirable
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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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