Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• 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 persons 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.

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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational setting

FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP), in Apia, Samoa. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and in collaboration with Offices and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects in the region.

FAO RAP has an active module on inclusive Value Chain Development and Food Loss and Waste (FLW). The module's work on food loss and waste focuses on assessing the extent and patterns of food loss and food waste, and identifying approaches, technologies, and innovations for their prevention, reduction, and management along agrifood value chains. It also emphasizes evaluating the impacts of FLW and its reduction on food and nutrition security, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and economic outcomes.
With emerging importance of the work on FLW, there is immense scope to support projects, initiatives and activities in this area. To support the growing activities the RAP requires additional capacity for supporting the ongoing activities with documentation, and coordination activities. The Young Professional will support the implementation of FLW-related projects, strengthen evidence-based decision-making, and contribute to FAO's work toward more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste) reports to the Senior Food Systems Officer, RAP.

Technical Focus

The Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste) supports the implementation of food loss and waste (FLW)-related activities, with a primary focus on data collection, analysis, implementation support, and reporting. The Young Professional will contribute to analytical and operational activities related to food loss and food waste. The role offers hands-on exposure to technical analysis, policy support, and process coordination within an international and multidisciplinary environment.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.
• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.
• Provides technical support to various projects.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Supports the implementation of food loss and waste (FLW)-related activities through data collection, validation, management, and collects, compiles, reviews, and cross-checks food loss and waste (FLW) data, statistics, and related information from multiple sources.
• Provides analytical and operational support for multidisciplinary projects coordinating with relevant modules
• Analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative data, and presents results clearly through tables, charts, and analytical summaries.
• Contributes to reporting and briefing processes in line with FAO standards, including drafting, editing, and revising technical documents, reports, and publications.
• Supports the development and improvement of data collection tools, methodologies, and analytical approaches in collaboration with relevant divisions.
• Supports the documentations for emerging best practices for reducing and managing FLW, while supporting knowledge sharing and capacity building.
• Contributes to the development of technical materials and supports the organization of workshops, seminars, meetings, conferences, and other capacity-building activities.
• Contributes to the preparation of technical outputs, including reports, briefs, and inputs to final reports.
• Supports the identification of data gaps and contributes to improving analytical and monitoring approaches related to FLW activities.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, economics, agricultural economics, food science and technology, environment science, national resource management, agrifood systems food systems, social science and related fields.
• One year of relevant experience in food loss and waste, food security, agrifood systems, governance, policy support, or agricultural development.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in FLW, food security, agrifood systems, governance, policy support, or agricultural development.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work effectively.
• Extent and relevance of experience in data tools or approaches to measure climate impact. data analysis, reporting, and coordination activities.
• Ability to plan and organize work, deliver results, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.

NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

_________________________________________________________________

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

_________________________________________________________________

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• 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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT