Young Professional Officer (Food Security and Nutrition)

1L091L09

• 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.

Organizational Setting

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.

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) 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 theregion and, in collaboration with officesand divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RLC 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. RLC 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, facilitatesthe emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The post is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer(Food Security and Nutrition) reports to the Senior Policy Officer (Food Security and Nutrition) /Regional Coordinator of Regional Initiative 1(IR1) of the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and The Caribbean.

Technical Focus

Policy analysis support enabling members to develop,adopt and assess strategies, policies and programmes that helps achieve better nutrition and better lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific areas of interest includefood security, nutrition, agri-food systems, andrelevant food security and nutrition statistics. The Young Professional Officer will critically incorporate these areas of policyanalysis into the support, advocacy and effective policy dialogue of high impact, realistic, and innovative regional,subregional, national and localstrategies towards food security and nutrition in the region.

Key Results

Research and analysis of evidence, literature,methodologies,information,data, statistics,database/web services to support the delivery of programmes, projects, publications, reportsand other products and services related tofood security and nutrition.

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 development ofpolicy analyses on food security, nutrition, agri-food systems and international trade.
• Conducts literature reviews, analyses, evaluation andextensive needs assessment on food security and nutrition. Assesses and prioritizes relevant policies and institutional framework to unlock the potential of the food security and nutrition. Analyses regional and country-level issues and prepares in depth-assessment of the policy and institutional framework in relation to food security and nutrition.
• Assists with the drafting and production of technical policy contents, relevant reports, publications and official documents on progress achievement and issues related to the policy advice provided or possible potential policy development of food security and nutrition.
• Supports the design and implementation of technical cooperation projects, consultations, conferences and internal strategic analyses and assists in the organization and technical follow-up of meetings, work plans and corporative reporting.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, sociology,agricultural sciences, political sciences, social sciences, international development,food security, nutrition or related field.
• One year of relevant experience in policy research, policy analysis, or policy design or/and evaluation.
• Working knowledge (proficient –level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate –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 literature review,policy analysis,data analysis or evidence-based policy analysis, and engagement in policy dialogue with different actors and sectors, such as governments, academia, civil society, private sector, and development partners within the international cooperation.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, edit technical reports and documents, present visual and graphic technical contents, and deliver effective oral presentations.•Advanced use of statistical analysis software and efficient management of datasetsis considered a strong asset.
• Working knowledge (proficient -level C) of Spanish and/or French is considered an asset.

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