Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) (P-4)

The UN Secretary-General has committed the UN system to establish a UN Food Systems Coordination 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.

Technical Focus
The Hub will stimulate and support action for SDG-based food systems transformations towards acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The Hub’s mission will be to serve countries through systemic, country-driven, customized support in translating their commitments into effective actions to reach economic, social and environmentally sustainable food systems by 2030.
The Hub will act as the independent, critical nexus point inside the UN System in relation to food systems and the 2030 Agenda.
The Hub will focus on leveraging the broad range of assets of the UN system – particularly within the context of the repositioning of the UN development system – and existing SDG reporting structures to demonstrate progress. The Hub will act as a coordinator and connector among diverse constituencies to support national progress on the SDGs and being responsive to country priorities.

Specific Functions include:
•    Acts as Secretary of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub “Science Advisory Committee – SAC”.
•    Supports the SAC Chair and Co-Chairs in performing their duties.
•    Organizes, as per coordination with the SAC Chair, regular and ad-hoc meetings of the SAC.
•    Keeps track of the work plan of the SAC and provide updates to the Chair and Membership, as per requests.
•    Provides technical support for the development of the SAC deliverables.
•    Facilitates partnerships between the SAC and other relevant global, regional and national science group in the area of sustainable food systems.
•    Develops technically robust draft proposals in support of the work of the SAC.

Minimum Requirements
•  Advanced university degree (PhD or Doctorate or equivalent) in political sciences, international relations, sustainable development or closely related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in coordinating science-based analytical work, policy development, capacity building and science-policy interfaces on issues related to sustainable development.
•  Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).