Organizational Setting
The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is FAOโs hub to ensure rights-based and sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind. We build transformative partnerships and proactively engage with key stakeholders, including family farmers, Indigenous Peoples, parliamentarians, academia, research institutions, UN organizations and civil society. We drive a people-centered approach through technical support, capacity development, policy advice and inclusive dialogue.
Within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) provides technical support to Indigenous Peoples and ensures the implementation of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples at FAO corporate level by liaising with regional and country focal points as well as with other technical divisions in FAO. PSUI works with Indigenous Peoples towards achieving FAO's mandate of freeing the world from hunger and malnutrition, under the overarching frameworks of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples Unit has three main objectives: 1. Implement the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples; 2. Provide technical advice to other FAO technical divisions in integrating Indigenous Peoplesโ issues into their work; 3. Advocate, Influence key policy processes and open spaces of dialogue between decision makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAOโs mandate. In this context, FAO), through the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and ILO Convention 169. FPIC is a fundamental right of Indigenous Peoples, supporting their participation in decisions that affect their rights, resources, and territories. It is integral to ensure inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable outcomes in all FAO activities.
The incumbent will work with Indigenous Peoples within the seven pillars of work and two focus areas, providing technical insights into the work of FAO across technical divisions.ย
The seven pillars of work are: 1-Indigenous Peoplesโ food systems; 2-Free, Prior and Informed consent; 3-Advocacy and capacity development; 4-Indicators for food security; 5-Indigenous Peoplesโ traditional knowledge and climate change; Governance of natural resources โ collective rights and VGGT; 7-Coordiantion. The two areas of work are: 1-Indigenous Women; 2-Indigenous Youth.ย
Reporting Lines
The specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the PSUI Unit, the Coordinator of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoplesโ Food Systems, the Technical Officer of FPIC and the Indigenous Youth coordinator, as appropriate, in close collaboration with the members of the Indigenous Peoples Unit, other Units within PSU, and in coordination with other FAO technical units. If/when activities are carried out at country level, the specialist will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional office.
Technical Focus
Work with Indigenous Peoples within the seven pillars of work and two focus areas, providing technical insights into the work of FAO across technical divisions.ย
The seven pillars of work are: 1-Indigenous Peoplesโ food systems; 2-Free, Prior and Informed consent (FPIC); 3-Advocacy and capacity development; 4-Indicators for food security; 5-Indigenous Peoplesโ traditional knowledge and climate change; Governance of natural resources โ collective rights and VGGT; 7-Coordination.ย
The two areas of work are: 1-Indigenous Women; 2-Indigenous Youth.ย
Establishment of strategic partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoplesโ organizations; Advocate, influence key policy processes and open spaces of dialogue between decision makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAOยดs mandate.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Support the implementation of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples by working on the seven pillars of work and two thematic areas of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit and undertaking the necessary measures to ensure their successful and smooth implementation.
โข ย ย Provide support for the preparation and follow-up on the implementation of Letters of Agreement and Memorandum of
Understanding related to the pillars of work of the Unit.
โข ย ย Assist FAO technical units and project teams in integrating and implementing Indigenous Peoples work with special attention to the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) into their projects and programmes.
โข ย ย Provide assistance to organize and deliver capacity development sessions on Indigenous Peoples and FPIC for FAO staff in Headquarters and decentralized offices.
โข ย ย Supporting the integration of FPIC into the FAO project cycle (including GEF and GCF projects).
โข ย ย Advising on FPIC-related content in project design, review, and implementation, particularly for high-risk or Indigenous Peoples-focused initiatives.
โข ย ย Assisting with the development of regional FPIC focal point networks.
โข ย ย Support in delivering, designing and implementing FPIC training sessions (virtual and in-person) at HQ, regional, and national levels.
โข ย ย Support the analysis and make recommendations for relevant projects and programmes submitted to PSUI by the FAO
Programme and Project Review Committee.
โข ย ย Support the Unit in activities related to the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, the Rome Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous Peoplesโ focal points network at regional and national level.
โข ย ย Support the Unit in the implementation of activities related to Indigenous Peoplesโ food and knowledge systems, in particular within the framework of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoplesโ Food Systems, the initiative of profiling of Indigenous Peoplesโ food systems and related technical publications.
โข ย ย Support the activities related to Indigenous Collective Rights to natural resources, land and territories, including case studies and the Indigenous Peoplesโ Collective Rights Working Group.
โข ย ย Assist in the organization and delivery of global, regional and national technical meetings and workshops.
โข ย ย Review and contribute to the preparation of technical reports, the gathering of lessons learned, case studies and project
information related to FAO activities involving Indigenous Peoples.
โข ย ย Review and contribute to the preparation of technical studies on specific topics related to FAO activities involving Indigenous Peoples, based on academic bibliography and in collaboration with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organization, research and technical institutes.
โข ย ย Liaise with FAO divisions as needed to obtain clearances, technical support and monitoring of ongoing and future activities.
โข ย ย Support the Unitโs efforts related to resource mobilization for technical work between FAO and Indigenous Peoples.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย University degree in agricultural sciences, development studies, environmental science, social sciences, anthropology, development studies, human rights, or any field related to FAO's mandate.
โข ย ย For category C at least two years, for category B, at least 5 years and for category A, at least 10 years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors related to, outreach and programming in food and agriculture.ย
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English or another UN language.ย
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
โข ย ย Strong analytical and training skills.
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Limited knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is an asset.ย
โข ย ย For specific tasks related to FPIC, demonstrated years of experience in the implementation of FPIC with Indigenous Peoples.
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of academic qualifications
โข ย ย Work experience in the field with Indigenous Peoplesย
โข ย ย Excellent analytical and conceptual skills
โข ย ย Indigenous Peoples and cross-cultural competency
โข ย ย Experience of research with Indigenous Peoples
โข ย ย Experience in data and Indigenous Peoples
โข ย ย Experience in preparing project proposals with indigenous Peoples
โข ย ย Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships
โข ย ย Experience with Indigenous Peoplesโ food systems, Indigenous Women, Indigenous Youth, seeds, geospatial work, project implementation, programme design and policy work would be an asset.
โข ย ย Experience in FPIC with Indigenous Peoples would be a requirement for specific consultants on FPIC matters.
โข ย ย Ability to work and write in at least two UN official languages would be a strong asset.