Agrifood Systems Knowledge Specialist

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 consultancy role is in the Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF) of the Economic and Social Development Stream. The Division provides strategic leadership for FAO’s support to Member Nations in the development of more sustainable agrifood systems. Working in close coordination with other technical units at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices, the Division is tasked with integrating FAO’s scientific and economic analyses to provide improved policy guidance and targeted investment in agrifood systems. Bringing together FAO’s longstanding experience and capacities in strengthening food safety systems and quality control with its technical support to Member Nations in the areas of value chain development, agroindustry and agribusiness enterprise development, urban food systems and food loss and waste, the Division integrates and extends food systems support across the Organization.

The Agrifood System Transformation Unit in ESF provides normative products and tools that help make sense of a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and provides operational guidance and tools.

Reporting Lines

The Agrifood Systems Knowledge Specialist reports to the Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF).

Technical Focus

The Agrifood Systems Knowledge Specialist leads the preparation, oversight and alignment of existing and future knowledge products and guidance documents on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and identifies relevant methods and tools to implement the approach in practice.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Draft and prepare core knowledge and guidance products on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation.
•    Provide internal coordination of emerging knowledge and guidance products being prepared by the Agrifood System Transformation Unit team according to the framework for a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and aligns language and structure.
•    Provide oversight of junior staff and short-term consultants preparing knowledge and guidance products, as required.
•    Act as focal point for the FAO knowledge and analysis processes taking a systems approach, as required.
•    Review relevant documents across FAO on agrifood systems transformation and advises on alignment of language, in collaboration with HQ units and regional and Sub-Regional Offices where relevant.
•    Collate good practice examples of a systems approach and drafts outputs as input into collective learning processes.
•    Support the preparation of presentations and trainings associated with the knowledge and guidance products.
•    Support the Stories of Systems Change initiative in collaboration with other ESF staff and the communications specialist.
•    Perform other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    PhD in subject relevant to agrifood systems, including but not restricted to, sustainability studies, public health, nutrition, food safety, food science, economics, gender studies, sociology, political economy, urban or rural studies, agricultural science, food policy, systems science.
•    At least five years of relevant post-PhD experience on agrifood systems, including proven experience of engagement with policymakers at the national level and involvement in publications on agrifood systems, such as reports policy briefs and/or academic articles.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Extent of expertise in agrifood systems and in the development of knowledge and guidance products on agrifood systems.
•    Depth of familiarity with a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in engaging with policymakers.
•    Extent of publications on agrifood systems;
•    Excellent writing skills.
•    Publications on a systems approach strongly desirable
•    Familiarity with the work and mandate of FAO. Experience of working within or engaging with FAO or other United Nations (UN) agencies is desirable.

Selection Criteria 

•    Selection criteria will be in adherence with technical/functional skills.