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  • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food Systems Summit (hereinafter FSS), held during the 2021 UN General Assembly, set the stage for global food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Under the leadership of the Secretary-General, the FSS made it clear that transformative action in food systems is fundamental to achieving the SDGs. As a follow up to the Summit, the UN Secretary-General has committed the UN system to establish a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (hereafter the Hub) to support countries implementing food system transformation pathways towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The hub is hosted by FAO in Rome on behalf of the UN System. Its role is to facilitate the identification of support services and set up a system to coordinate support to countries, by UN agencies and other actors of the Ecosystem of Support.

The Hub’s mandate covers six key functions:

• Facilitate implementation of national pathways
• Strengthen strategic thought leadership
• Engage Ecosystem of Support
• Leverage means of implementation
• Communicate and advocate a food systems approach
• Prepare for the 2023 Stocktaking Moment

The UN SG has committed in his Chair Summary and Statement of Action on the UN Food Systems Summit (UN FSS) to convene “a global stock-taking meeting every two years to review progress in implementing the outcomes of this process and its contributions to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.” The 1st UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (STM) convened by the UN Secretary General and hosted by the Government of Italy, in collaboration with the Rome-based Agencies of the United Nations (RBAs - FAO, WFP and IFAD), the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub (The Hub) and the wider United Nations system, will take place from 24-26 July 2023, in Rome, Italy, at the FAO Headquarters.

This will be the first of the biennial STMs that were mandated following the SG’s 2021 Food Systems Summit (UN FSS). The 2023 STM will build on the momentum of the Summit and create a conducive space for countries to review progress on the commitments to action made in 2021, share inspiring country examples showing early signs of transformation and maintain the momentum for acceleration and bold action.

The STM will also constitute an important opportunity to solidify the global understanding of the role of sustainable, equitable, healthy and resilient food systems in rescuing the SDGs and addressing current multiple and interlocking global crisis and risks, calling for governments and stakeholders to further the resilience of food systems against shocks and stresses, push mitigation and adaptation to climate change and ensure they contribute to better and more sustainable outcomes for people, planet and prosperity, leaving no one behind.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant/PSA will report to the Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Technical Focus

The UN Food Systems Specialist will support the UN Food System Coordination Hub team operationalizing the hub work plan bringing a mix of experience and expertise. The assignment will focus on food systems policy and advocacy, donor liaison, event programme management and project design and management.

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks of the consultant will include the following:

• Support the overall organization of the Stocktaking Moment, including by coordinating and providing technical support to session leads, and resource persons identified for each segment of the programme and ensure coherence across session leads and co-leads preparations
• Work with session leads and resource persons identified for all sessions to ensure quality supporting documents and overall coordination, as well as the preparation and finalization of key messages and report after each of the sessions
• Support active liaison with the technical team appointed by the Host Government as well as other UN staff, partners and key stakeholders, as requested
• Support liaison with EOSG, SDG Summit organizers and other 2023 events organizers as relevant, as well as with the UN Task Force on Food Systems
• Attend STM-related preparatory meetings on behalf of the Hub
• Support solid information provision to Member States and stakeholders by drafting information notes, Q&A, guidelines and other documents
• Support the management of short-term junior support staff, as requested, that might be brought on board to support the event development and delivery.
• Provide backstopping support functions for the external-facing communication needs of the Hub
• Collaborate with the Programme Officers of the Hub to ensure timely and quality delivery of the outputs related to funding received for the organization of the STM
• Support the in-depth analysis of country needs following the STM and contribute to the revision/development of the Hub workplan;
• Support with resource mobilization for country support and the implementation of the Hub activities in support of the follow-up to the STM, in close consultation with development partners and other stakeholders
• Perform any other related duties as required.


CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• University degree in sustainable development, environment, economics, social studies or other area related to FAO work. An advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) will be an advantage.
• From one to twelve (for COF) or 15 (for PSA) years of relevant experience in at least one of the following areas: advisory services, partnerships and advocacy programme management, food finance, programme development, policy support, in the area of sustainable development policy and planning;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish). For PSA, working knowledge of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with the work of FAO or other multilateral organizations
• Knowledge of the content of UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and SDG Agenda
• Good writing skills as can be proved by relevant publications record

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

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.