Organizational Setting
The UN Food Systems Summit (hereinafter UNFSS), 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 (UNSG) 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.
The Hub has a coordinating and connector role drawing on the capacities of the UN system and leveraging on the advice and expertise from a wider ecosystem of support, serving countries, by incentivizing existing institutions to deliver on their mandates in a systemic way. Based on this background, the Biennial Work Plan 2024-2026 of the Hub is structured along an evolving version of the six key functions adopted for the 2022-2023 Work Plan recomposed into five coordination clusters, which are:
• Landing the Vision - Overarching Cluster
• Policy and Governance Cluster
• Science and Knowledge Cluster
• Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration Cluster
• Finance and Investment Cluster
In line with its mandate, the Hub coordinates country-level initiatives to support the implementation of National Pathways. In close collaboration with UN Resident Coordinator Offices and UN Country Teams, the Hub facilitates through a range of flagship programmes technical support to advance the implementation of National Food Systems Transformation Pathways, and strengthen the capacity of National Convenors. The Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Window focuses on the delivery of National Pathway priorities through integrated UN programing, catalyzing innovative solutions, and unlocking larger scale financing and private sector investments, and strengthening the enabling environment (policies, institutions and capacities).
Another initiative is the project \"Accelerating Food Systems Transformation through a Scalable Success Model\" (SSM), financed by the European Union, which strengthens the capacity of national institutions and structures that are driving national food systems transformation processes, contributing to the operationalization and implementation of food systems transformation agendas, as outlined in national pathways or corresponding national strategies and policies.
The purpose of this call is to provide the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub with a list of qualified candidates for a number of profiles with different technical specializations as indicated below. The contract can be home based with required travel for field missions.
Reporting Lines
The Food Systems Specialists will report to the Senior Programme Policy Officer, Programme Officer, Policy Officer (Food Systems Transformation Strategy), Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.
Technical Focus
The assignments will support the Hub in delivering its overall workplan with specific focus on updating, operationalizing, integrating, implementing and localizing the National Pathways for food systems transformation), while ensuring effective programme reporting and operations management in coordination with other Hub team members and FAO respective divisions.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Food Systems specialists will assist in day-to-day coordination of the Hub initiatives, contributing to the coordination of key workplan deliverables under the relevant supervision of Hub officers. In particular, the Food Systems Specialists will perform the following tasks:
Project Implementation Support, Reporting and Documentation
• Draft meeting agendas and send invitations to UNCTs.
• Join scheduled meetings, take detailed notes, and circulate minutes.
• Update and maintain a contact list of country focal points in the project database.
• Enter country project updates and report submission dates into the database.
• Flag missing reports or delays and notify relevant team members.
• Collect and organize country-level deliverables for review.
• Prepare summaries of country progress for internal use, create draft templates for project reports under guidance.
• Format and proofread country reports before submission.
• Compile data from multiple countries into a consolidated spreadsheet.
• Assist in preparing donor reports by gathering country updates and checking accuracy.
• Upload finalized reports and supporting documents to the Hub’s internal archive.
Knowledge Management, Events Support
• Save knowledge products in the correct folders and ensure proper naming conventions.
• Support with update the Hub’s internal database with new publications and outputs.
• Collect new country case studies for inclusion in the publication on National Food Systems Pathways.
• Prepare short summaries of knowledge products for easy reference.
• Draft participant lists for multi-stakeholder dialogues and webinars.
• Prepare logistical checklists for events (venue, invitations, materials).
• Assist in creating PowerPoint presentations and briefing notes for events.
• Take notes during webinars and upload recordings to the internal system.
Research, Analysis and Capacity Building
• Gather basic data on science and innovation initiatives in food systems.
• Summarize key findings from reports or articles for internal use.
• Maintain a list of knowledge gaps identified during research activities.
• Prepare attendance sheets and materials for Young Leadership Programme sessions.
• Support coordination by sending reminders and follow-up emails to participants.
• Collect feedback from participants and compile into a summary report.
Programme Management Support
• Draft concept notes, terminal project reports and other documentation related to the projects.
• Track deadlines for deliverables and send reminders to team members.
• Prepare and update budget tracking spreadsheets.
• Support with preparation and monitor contractual arrangements with partners, ensuring compliance with FAO procedures and timely delivery of outputs.
• Support with budget monitoring, data management, and transaction processing, including the review and preparation of Field Budget Authorizations (FBAs);
Assist in reconciling and adjusting accounting entries as needed
• Support with activities related to project budget and funding management (preparation and submissions, financial statements, progress reports, etc.).
• Organize project files and maintain a clear archiving system.
Advocacy, Communication and General Support
• Draft short success stories for the Hub website under guidance.
• Collect photos and quotes from country teams for communication materials.
• Prepare donor briefing notes by compiling workshop outputs.
• Support bilateral donor engagement by scheduling meetings and preparing talking points.
• Respond to routine email inquiries from partners and country teams.
• Keep an updated calendar of project activities and deadlines.
• Perform any other administrative or coordination tasks as requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, sustainable development, environmental science, international relations, social studies, agriculture or any other closely directly related field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• At least one year of relevant experience in at least one of the following areas: programme management, programme development, reporting, policy support, partnerships, finance, in the area of sustainable development policy and planning.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and at least limited knowledge of another official language of the Organization (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Knowledge or some experience working on integrated food systems programming at country, regional or global level
• Knowledge or some experience working on resource mobilization strategies, tactics and donor relations.
• Knowledge or some experience in developing strategic relationships and advocacy positions in various contexts including in fragility settings and middle-income country contexts.
• Knowledge on science-policy research and practice, and innovative finance mechanisms
• Some field experience in Africa, LAC or Southeast Asia/Pacific Islands
• Knowledge about FAO’s project cycle management and FAO systems such as FPMIS, IMIS and etc