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.ย
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) 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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office(s) for Africa. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organizationโs strategies through programmes and projects across the region.
RAF supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. RAF leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organizationโs programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks. It also leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms. RAF also delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organizationโs programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.
RAFโs emergency and resilience portfolio focuses on technical and implementation support to countries; specifically, the RAF Resilience Team plays a key role in strengthening emergency and resilience programming in the region, supporting countries with technical backstopping, programmatic and operational support, and the implementation of integrated approaches.ย
Reporting Lines
The Food and Nutrition Security Specialist reports to the Senior Regional Resilience Officer (Team Leader), under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa and the Regional Programme Leader, and the functional guidance of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) as the Programme Priorities teams in RAF, in consultation with the relevant technical officers in the regional level.
Technical Focusย
The Food and Nutrition Security Specialist is responsible for providing high-level technical guidance on the development, implementation, and sustainability of food and nutrition security analysis activities, coordinate with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders, timely analysis of data and supporting all food security related activities in the RAF Region. He/She will play a crucial role in strengthening data-driven approaches within FAO's technical and policy processes, ensuring high-quality analysis to inform humanitarian and development interventions.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Provide strategic technical guidance on food and nutrition security analyses to inform national, sub-regional and regional food security and nutrition policies and planning.
โข ย ย Coordinate with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to harmonize food and nutrition security analysis efforts and ensure coherence with national and international frameworks.
โข ย ย Manage research agendas and commission external studies on key food and nutrition security topics, monitoring and analyzing food and nutrition security trends and vulnerabilities, identifying key drivers of food insecurity and supporting early warning mechanisms using advanced data analytics and forecasting tools.ย
โข ย ย Lead capacity-building initiatives by training and mentoring national, sub-regional and regional partners in food and nutrition security data collection, analysis and monitoring tools.ย
โข ย ย Share analysis results through briefs, policy dialogues, and presentations to ensure findings reach relevant stakeholders (government, humanitarian partners, policymakers, and development partners) .ย
โข ย ย Identify funding opportunities and contribute to project proposals that integrate food and nutrition security analysis at country, sub-regional and regional levels.
โข ย ย Design and coordinate surveys and assessments using standard tools and methodologies to support early warning and resilience efforts
โข ย ย Ensure data is available and integrated into key analytical processes, such as the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC), Harmonized Framework, Anticipatory Action scenario building, and Humanitarian Needs Overviews, actively participating in these processes to enhance early warning and anticipatory action efforts in the region.
โข ย ย Document lessons learned and best practices in food and nutrition security data collection, analysis and use to support methodological improvements and promote knowledge exchange/capacity-building initiatives within FAO and with external partners.
โข ย ย Promote and ensure adherence to data management standards, including ethical data collection, protection, storage, and archiving, ensuring compliance with FAO and international best practices.ย
โข ย ย Carry out additional duties as needed, including emergency response support and participation in technical working groups.ย
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in economics, agriculture economics, statistics and social sciences or another field related to the FAO mandate. A University degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an Advanced university.
โข ย ย 5 years of relevant professional experience in food security and resilience analysis, agricultural statistics, data collection, and assessment methodologies.
โข ย ย Working knowledge (proficient โ level C) of English.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
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of workย
โข ย ย Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset
โข ย ย Strong expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including survey design, sampling techniques, and statistical analysis.
โข ย ย Proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, R, or Python for data analysis.
โข ย ย Familiarity with GIS tools, remote sensing applications, and data visualization techniques.
โข ย ย Ability to develop analytical products such as food security reports, situation analyses, policy briefs, and dashboards.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
โข ย ย Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
โข ย ย Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Knowledge (intermediate โ level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) will be considered an asset.