Home-Based Jobs at FAO

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Open Positions:

01. Knowledge Management, Learning and Systemic Capacity Development Specialist

Location:   Home-Based

Duration: Up to 11 months

Deadline:  12 June 2026, 12:59:00 AM

Job Description

• • • The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.Organizational Setting

      The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) work to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on these issues and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).

      FAO’s OCB is seeking specialists to transform Knowledge Management (KM), learning, and capacity development into strategic products. These specialists will help capture lessons learned, develop learning products, and translate technical experience into practical tools across climate, biodiversity, environmental and agrifood programmes. The goal is to strengthen replicability, institutional effectiveness and facilitate durable, large-scale impact.
      Depending on the specific needs, the work may involve knowledge audits, stakeholder consultations, development of knowledge and learning strategies, design of knowledge products and portals, support to communities of practice, preparation of learning events and capacity development materials, documentation of innovations and results, and support to monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communication processes.

      Through this call for expression of interest, FAO aims at capturing, systematizing and disseminating knowledge derived from initiatives in the nexus between sustainable food systems and climate change, biodiversity, and environment.

      Reporting Lines

      The specialist will report to OCB supervisor and will work under the technical supervision of programme managers, technical officers, project management units and decentralized offices, as appropriate to each assignment.

      Technical Focus

      The Knowledge Management, Learning and Systemic Capacity Development Specialist will support OCB in strengthening knowledge generation, learning, experience capitalization and systemic capacity development across its thematic units and portfolio of projects and programmes.

      Tasks and responsibilities

      •    Develop an OCB-customized experience capitalization methodology to systematically capture good practices, distill lessons learned, support continuous learning, and enable the development of global public goods within and across OCB projects and programmes.
      •    Conduct inclusive knowledge management and learning audits, needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to identify the status, gaps, opportunities and risks related to KML across OCB projects and programmes, and translate the findings into practical recommendations for project and programme-level KML strategies.
      •    Assess existing knowledge-sharing and learning platforms and support the establishment or strengthening of platforms and Communities of Practice within OCB projects and programmes, with a view to maximizing South-South, North-South and gender-sensitive learning, knowledge exchange and innovation scale-up.
      •    Support OCB projects and programmes in establishing and operationalizing KML working groups or similar coordination mechanisms, composed of relevant focal points, technical specialists and partners, to facilitate regular experience exchange, peer learning, harmonization of approaches and coordinated delivery of KML outputs.
      •    Develop, or support the development of, project and programme-level KML strategies, including workplans, timelines, coordination arrangements, implementation tools and year-one delivery plans, ensuring alignment with OCB priorities, FAO standards and donor requirements.
      •    Develop monitoring frameworks, including performance indicators, to track the effectiveness, uptake and results of learning, knowledge-sharing and capacity development activities within OCB projects and programmes at global, regional, national and sub-national levels.
      •    Provide methodological quality assurance for training materials, learning packages, guidance documents and other capacity development products to ensure effective knowledge transfer, practical uptake and relevance for target audiences.
      •    Support OCB projects and programmes in integrating systemic capacity development approaches that go beyond individual skills, knowledge and competencies, with stronger emphasis on organizations, institutions, networks, collective action mechanisms, multi-stakeholder processes and enabling policy environments.
      •    Conduct systemic capacity needs assessments across people, organizations, institutions and policy frameworks; design fit-for-purpose capacity development interventions; and support the monitoring of results, uptake and long-term sustainability.
      •    Review project-level KML and capacity development approaches, ensuring alignment with relevant programme strategies, OCB objectives, FAO corporate priorities and donor requirements. Provide technical feedback, identify common risks and opportunities, and develop standard guidance, templates and reference materials for country and project teams.
      •    Design methodological frameworks for identifying, validating and disseminating good practices, best management practices and scalable innovations, including through literature reviews, expert consultations and participatory validation processes.
      •    Develop and support plans for twinning, learning exchanges, peer-to-peer support and other structured learning modalities to foster South-South, North-South and interregional knowledge exchange across OCB programmes and regions.
      •    Support the development, deployment, testing and improvement of knowledge portals, digital platforms and online repositories, including project pages, knowledge centres, data visualization tools, good practice archives, technical resources and links to relevant international knowledge sources.
      •    Work closely with communications specialists, web developers and creative service providers to ensure that KML products are accessible, visually coherent and aligned with programme and institutional communication standards, including through visual identities, templates for printed and digital materials, multimedia products and dissemination packages.
      •    Support the design, production and dissemination of global, regional and country-level knowledge and communication products, including case studies, learning briefs, videos, webinars, stories of change, technical notes and gender-transformative examples.
      •    Ensure close alignment with relevant FAO and OCB programmes, including Integrated Programmes where applicable, and contribute to coordination mechanisms, learning events, workshops and international fora, as required.
      •    Contribute to OCB-wide KML initiatives, working groups and institutional learning processes, ensuring that outputs, tools and lessons generated by individual projects and programmes are effectively disseminated to relevant OCB staff and partners and contribute to enhanced and durable OCB impact at scale.

      FAO Standards and guidelines:

      •    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
      •    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
      FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
      FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
      Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
      FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
      FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
      FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
      Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
      •    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

       

      CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

      Minimum Requirements

      •    For Consultants:
      Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in social sciences, knowledge management, communication, adult learning, rural development, organizational development, institutional development, environmental governance, natural resources management, public policy, or another relevant field. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
      For PSAs:
      University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in social sciences, knowledge management, communication, adult learning, rural development, organizational development, institutional development, environmental governance, natural resources management, public policy, or another relevant field.
      •    For Consultants/PSA Cat C, a minimum of one year; for Consultant/PSA Cat B, a minimum of five years of relevant experience progressively responsible professional experience in knowledge management, learning, systemic capacity development, and/or organizational or institutional development, preferably in the context of environment, climate change, biodiversity, natural resources management, agrifood systems or sustainable development programmes.
      •    Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English.

      FAO Core Competencies

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

      Technical/Functional Skills

      •    Work experience in more than one location or area of work
      •    Proven experience in designing or quality-assuring practitioner manuals, training materials, learning packages, facilitation tools, guidance documents and/or other knowledge management and capacity development products for diverse audiences.
      •    Ability to conduct field work and work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, establishing constructive working relationships with national and local stakeholders, technical experts and institutional partners
      •    Strong communication, writing and facilitation skills, including the ability to translate complex technical content into clear, practical and user-oriented knowledge products.
      •    Good knowledge of digital knowledge-sharing, collaboration and outreach platforms, including online repositories, learning platforms, social media, Trello or similar project coordination and communication tools.
      •    Proven experience in facilitating inclusive stakeholder analysis, consultations and engagement processes and familiarity with participatory approaches, including rural participatory appraisal, community-based learning, co-creation processes or similar methodologies, would be considered an asset.
      •    Working Knowledge (proficiency level C) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

       Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

       

      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

      • FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
      • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
      • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
      • For more information, visit the FAO employment website
      • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

       

      HOW TO APPLY

      • To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
      • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
      • Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

      • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

      • Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
      • Incomplete applications will not be considered
      • Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
      • Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
      • Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
      •  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

      If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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02. Soil Specialists (3 profiles)

Location:   Home-Based

Duration: Up to 11 months

Deadline: 17 June 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Job Description

Organizational Setting

The Land and Water Division aims at enhancing the agricultural productivity and advancing the sustainable useof land, soil and water resources through their improved governance, development, management and restoration. It addresses the challenges Member countries face in ensuring productive and efficient use of land and water resources in order to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the land, soils and water quantity and quality. It promotes equitable access to these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods and ecosystem services. It provides technical assistance to Member nations in developing policies and programmes and adopting best practices and tools in the fields of irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, drought mitigation, water rights and access to natural resources.

In Central America and sub-Saharan Africa, the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) project stands out as a unique framework aimed at unearthing valuable information from soils to guide policymaking and fertilizer recommendations both at national and field scale. The project’s emphasis on strengthening capacities as well as empowering stakeholders with full ownership and control over the data and tools underscore its long-term ambition to sustainably equip both participating governmental institutions and farmers.

The purpose of this call is to provide FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSL) with a list of qualified candidates for a number of profiles with different specializations to support the implementation of relevant projects in 7 beneficiary countries (Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mozambique, Tunisia and Zambia,) and the work as indicated below:

• Soil Spectroscopy and Proximal Sensing

• Soil Laboratories (Wet Chemistry)

• Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

Home-based contracts with required travel for field missions, where relevant.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Land and Water Officer.

Technical Focus

Support the development and the effective implementation of FAO’s soils related portfolio through the provision of expertise in relevant technical areas including project formulation and implementation to support Member countries.

Tasks and responsibilities

Soil Spectroscopy and Proximal Sensing Specialist

• Support the implementation of activities related to the Global Soil Laboratory Network’s initiative on soil spectroscopy (GLOSOLAN-Spec)

• Provide technical support for the development of calibration model based on existing soil spectral (Vis-NIR-MIR) library for estimating soil properties

• Support soil spectroscopy and proximal sensing related capacity development programme (Training sessions, development of training material).

Soil Laboratory Specialist

• Oversee the processing of soil samples for wet and dry chemistry analysis.

• Collaborate with project partners and laboratories to ensure accurate and timely soil analysis results.

• Develop and implement quality assurance and quality control measures for soil analysis processes, including the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Participate in capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings, to enhance national capacities in soil analysis and data management.

• Support the implementation of laboratory equipment procurement activities of the project.

• Support the establishment and improvement of national soil laboratories and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

• Track progress and assess the quality of soil analysis and harmonization activities.

• Provide input to project monitoring and reporting frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of soil analysis and harmonization efforts.

• Contribute to regular progress reports on soil analysis and harmonization activities.

• Communicate project outcomes and lessons learned related to soil analysis and harmonization to relevant audiences.

• Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, particularly national soil laboratories.

• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among project partners related to soil analysis and harmonization.

• Support the implementation of activities in the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) work plan.

Soil and Fertilizer Management Specialist

• Identify locally adapted soil management practices, including fertilizer use efficiency and formula fertilization.

• Promote the adoption of identified practices at the national and local levels.

• Collaborate with other project team members to develop and implement integrated soil fertility management strategies.

• Support the establishment of field trials to test and validate prioritized soil management practices and fertilizer recommendations.

• Contribute to the development of national decision support systems that incorporate soil management and fertility data.

• Assist in creating farmer applications (mobile/desktop) for sustainable soil management and integrated soil fertility management at the farm scale.

• Participate in capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings, to enhance national capacities in soil management and fertility.

• Support the development of national capacities for fertilizer analysis, alternative nutrient sources and fertilizer use policy.

• Track progress and assess the quality of soil management and fertility initiatives.

• Provide input to project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of soil management and fertility practices.

• Contribute to regular progress reports on soil management and fertility activities for funding agencies and stakeholders.

• Communicate project outcomes and lessons learned related to soil management and fertility to relevant audiences.

• Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and local communities.

• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among project partners related to soil management and fertility.

• Collaborate with local partners, including extension services, farmer organizations, and educational institutions.

• Support the improvement of national extension services on soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation in the project target countries.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Consultants: Master’s level degree in soil science, agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field with specialization in soil science from an institution recognized on the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO list. A bachelor’s level degree and 2 years of relevant experience may be considered equivalent in certain circumstances

• PSA: University degree in soil science, agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field with specialization in soil science or specific technical specialization

• Working knowledge (Level C) of one of FAO Languages is required.

• One to four years of relevant experience for category C; five to nine years for category B; at least 10 years for category A relevant to sustainable soil management, soil fertility, laboratory analyses, soil information and data.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience of work with Member countries in terms of normative and technical work on soils;

• Demonstrated ability to deliver results within deadlines.

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes and familiarity with UN policy agendas;

• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of issues related to soil laboratory functioning and soil sample analyses or statistical analyses or sustainable soil management and agriculture (including forestry) and natural resources management in developing countries and in particular in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable agriculture and forestry in developing countries;

• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and implementation of projects related to sustainable soil management and knowledge of the Healthy Soils Facility will be an asset;

• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation of technical and policy reports and capacity development materials;

• Extent of experience in organizing medium to large scale international technical meetings and conferences;

• Experience in the development of teaching/training materials is an asset.

• Experience in the establishment and facilitation of technical networks.

 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp.

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03. Evaluation Specialists (Agrobiodiversity and Financing Instruments)

Location:   Home-Based

Duration:  25-40 working days spread over 6-8 months)

Deadline: 01 Jun 2026, 12:59:00 AM

Job Description

Organizational Setting

The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is conducting an evaluation of the Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF), examining both the BSF as a financing mechanism and its portfolio of projects, with a forward-looking perspective. The BSF was established under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as the main operational mechanism to translate benefit-sharing into concrete support for farmers and national systems that conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). Since its establishment in 2009, the BSF has been implemented through five cycles and has supported 99 projects worldwide, primarily in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The BSF supports projects that enable small-scale farmers, scientists and breeders to access and use plant genetic resources adapted to local needs helping to develop more resilient, productive and nutritious crop varieties that address challenges related to food and nutrition security, biodiversity loss and climate change, particularly through farmer-led approaches.

Purpose and Objectives of the evaluation:

This evaluation is conducted to generate lessons and forward-looking recommendations to inform the design of future funding cycles and the upcoming review of the Treaty’s Funding Strategy. It takes an integrated approach, assessing the BSF both as a financing mechanism and as a portfolio of projects. At the portfolio level, the evaluation will primarily focus on BSF cycles 4 (2017–2026) and BSF5 (2022–ongoing). As BSF5 is ongoing, it will be examined from a formative perspective given its ongoing implementation, and earlier cycles (BSF1–3) will also be used selectively to analyse trends and portfolio evolution, providing context and informing the assessment of the BSF as a financing mechanism. The evaluation will be conducted between June and December 2026.

 

Reporting Lines

The Evaluation Specialists will work under the direct supervision of the assigned OED Evaluation Officer, and under the overall responsibility of the OED Director.

Technical Focus

The evaluation will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team combining evaluation expertise with complementary technical expertise. OED is seeking consultants with expertise in one or more of the following technical areas to join the evaluation team:
•    Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including on-farm and in situ conservation.
•    Seed systems and farmer-led approaches to crop diversity and local value chains
•    Financing mechanisms and instruments for agrobiodiversity (including PGRFA)
•    Access and benefit-sharing mechanisms and international policy frameworks for plant genetic resources

Candidates must not have been directly involved in the design, implementation or operational management of BSF‑funded projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical inputs to the refinement of the  evaluation design, data collection tools and analytical framework for this strategic assessment of the BSF
•    Lead or contribute to thematic and strategic analysis in one or more areas relevant to the assignment, applying expert judgment and comparative insights from similar evaluations or technical assignments
•    Collect and analyse primary and secondary data through document review and interviews with BSF stakeholders, including executing institutions, government representatives, farmers’ groups, development partners, civil society and private sector actors, as appropriate
•    Participate in evaluation missions, validation workshops and high‑level stakeholder consultations, where feasible
•    Analyse and synthesize evidence from multiple sources to develop robust, evidence-based findings, conclusions and forward-looking recommendations within assigned thematic areas.
Draft assigned analytical sections of the evaluation report and contribute to the overall synthesis, strategic framing and finalization of evaluation deliverables, as required

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 a relevant field such as agricultural sciences, biodiversity, development studies or natural resource management..
•    A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in agrobiodiversity and/or in evaluations of related programmes or financing mechanisms
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English is required; working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian is desirable

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Relevant thematic expertise in agrobiodiversity, including PGRFA or related areas
•    Experience with multilateral financing mechanisms, global treaties or international policy processes
•    Familiarity with the ITPGRFA or related international frameworks on biodiversity and access and benefit-sharing (ABS)
•    Proven experience in independent evaluations of related programmes, portfolios or financing mechanisms
•    Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation and interviewing skills

 

Selection Criteria

Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing, implementing or evaluating programmes or financing mechanisms related to agrobiodiversity, including the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as experience working across diverse regional contexts.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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04. Cooperative Legislation Specialist

Location:   Home-Based

Duration: Up to 11 months

Deadline: 28 May 2026, 12:59:00 AM

Job Description

Organizational Setting

This assignment is situated within Regional Priority 1 (RP1) of the Near East and North Africa Regional office of FAO on Rural Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains, which focuses on enhancing productivity and income of small-scale farmers, with particular emphasis on youth employment, women’s empowerment, and the development of inclusive value chains. RP1 is grounded in a people‑centred systems approach to rural transformation, recognizing that sustainable change requires reinforcing the linkages between individual capacities, collective organizations, and enabling institutional and policy environments, rather than relying on fragmented or isolated interventions.

Within RP1, the action area on cooperative development works at the critical intersection between the collective action of small-scale farmers, youth, and women and the transformation of agrifood systems. For the 2026–2027 biennium, this work is framed under TCP/RAB/4101, which aims to catalyze agrifood system transformation in the NENA region by strengthening inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cooperative ecosystems through which youth, women, and small-scale producers are empowered to act as central economic and social agents of food security, innovation, and rural development. The expected outcome of the TCP is that youth, women, and small-scale producers are empowered as central actors within inclusive, innovative, and economically viable cooperatives, while institutional stakeholders across the NENA region demonstrate improved role clarity, coordination, and capacity to support a resilient, cooperative‑led agrifood ecosystem. The work under this TCP is organized around three main outputs:

Output 1. Cooperative‑enabling regulatory and policy frameworks strengthened. Targeted regional analysis, practical policy guidance, and lean capacity development initiatives are implemented to strengthen cooperative‑enabling regulatory, policy, and strategic frameworks in priority NENA countries, supported by an institutionalized regional dialogue platform.

Output 2. Capacities of small‑scale cooperators, including youth and women, on cooperative performance strengthened. Cooperators, including youth and women, are empowered as leaders, managers, and decision‑makers in cooperatives, with strengthened capacities, platforms, and representation mechanisms that enable them to drive good performance, innovation, inclusivity, and economic viability across the NENA region.

Output 3. Interregional dialogue on cooperative innovation and strategic cooperation among cooperative actors established and strengthened. Cooperatives, apex bodies, governments, and academic institutions engage in structured interregional dialogue and strategic cooperation, fostering shared innovations, coordinated advocacy, and inclusive growth across the NENA region and beyond.

Within this organizational setting, the incumbent will contribute primarily to the implementation of Output 1, ensuring the delivery of robust comparative legal analyses of cooperative regulations in NENA countries, as well as the development of sound, policy‑relevant knowledge products to support evidence‑based dialogue, reform processes, and institutional coordination in cooperative development.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall leadership of the Regional Programme Leader OIC and the supervision of the LTO of TCP/RAB/4101. He/she will conduct the present assignment under the close guidance of the RNE Cooperative Development Expert, and in close collaboration with the LEGN Legal Officer, and the ESP Rural Institution Specialist.

Technical Focus

The assignment will provide technical legal support to strengthen cooperative‑enabling legislative and regulatory frameworks in the NENA region, under Output 1 of TCP/RAB/4101.

The incumbent will lead the comparative legal and regulatory analysis of cooperative legislation across NENA countries, assessing alignment with international standards, including ICA principles and ILO Recommendation No. 193. The analysis will focus on governance provisions, registrar roles and practices, and legal mechanisms supporting the inclusion of youth, women, and small‑scale producers. Findings will be summarized into concise country reports and a regional synthesis brief highlighting legislative and regulatory gaps and reform options.

The incumbent will also contribute to the development of a flagship regional guideline document providing harmonized, cooperative‑enabling legal recommendations. The guideline will include modular chapters, model clauses, and self‑assessment tools to support practical adoption by ministries and registrars, and will be developed in collaboration with the project team. In addition, the incumbent will contribute substantially to two thematic policy briefs on youth inclusion and gender‑responsive cooperative reform, as well as to training materials on cooperative legal frameworks, governance, and inclusive ecosystem building. Tailored legal advisory support will be provided to requesting national authorities to review draft laws, regulations and policies during the assignment.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following key tasks and responsibilities:

–    Conduct comparative legal and regulatory research and analysis of cooperative legislation, regulations, and related legal instruments across NENA countries, assessing alignment with international standards, including ICA principles and ILO Recommendation No. 193.
–    Prepare concise country legal reports and a regional synthesis brief identifying legislative and regulatory gaps, proposing reform options, and sharing good legal practices to inform regional dialogue and technical work.
–    Conduct a structured review of cooperative governance frameworks, registrar mandates and practices, and legal provisions, with the objective of identifying how youth, women, and small‑scale producers are explicitly included or excluded, and of highlighting concrete gaps, good practices, and actionable entry points for more inclusive cooperative legislation, regulation, and policies.
–    Provide substantive legal inputs to the development of a flagship regional guideline document on cooperative‑enabling legal and policy frameworks, including drafting modular chapters, model clauses, and self‑assessment tools, in close collaboration with the project team.
–    Contribute substantially to the preparation of thematic policy briefs on youth inclusion in cooperatives and gender‑responsive cooperative reform, ensuring legal accuracy, coherence, and consistency with international standards.
–    Support the development of training and knowledge materials related to cooperative legal frameworks, governance, and inclusive ecosystem building, in collaboration with cooperative development experts.
–    Provide technical legal support to programme activities, including participation in regional and country‑level technical discussions, virtual workshops, and peer‑learning exchanges, as required.
–    Coordinate closely with the RNE Cooperative Development Expert, LEGN Legal Officer, and other relevant technical staff to ensure coherence between legal analysis, knowledge products, and capacity development activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    (For Consultants:) Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO / (For PSA.SBS:) University degree or specific technical specialization in law. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in cooperative law and/or in the cooperative sector
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English and Arabic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Work experience at least in one country of the NENA region
•    Extent and relevance of experience in cooperative law and regulations
•    Familiarity with rural development and agrifood system transformation

Selection criteria

•    Experience in international law, business law, agricultural and/or rural development will be considered an asset.
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of French will be considered an asset.

 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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05. ISPM Plain English Specialist

Location:   Home-Based

Duration: 60 non-consecutive days, aligned with the timelines of the relevant Expert Working Groups and CPM Bureau reporting schedule

Deadline: 17 Jun 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Job Description

Organizational Setting

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is hosted within the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). IPPC develops International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to protect plant health while facilitating safe international trade.
The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the IPPC’s main governing body, has recognized the need to improve the clarity, accessibility and usability of ISPMs, while safeguarding their scientific and legal integrity. Consequently, the CPM requested the IPPC Secretariat to engage a Plain English specialist to guide on the application of plain language principles in the standard-setting process.
Reporting Lines

The ISPM Plain English Specialist will work as a consultant under the overall supervision of the Standard setting lead of the IPPC Secretariat and in close coordination with the Expert Working Groups (EWGs) and the CPM Bureau.

Technical Focus

The consultancy focuses on the application of internationally recognized plain language principles (such as ISO 24495-1) to explain complex technical and regulatory texts, specifically for draft ISPMs. The aim of using plain English texts is to improving clarity, readability and usability for Contracting Parties without altering their technical accuracy or legal meaning.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Observe the work of the Expert Working Groups (EWGs) involved in the drafting of the following ISPMs:
– Safe provision of humanitarian aid in the phytosanitary context (2021-020)
– Revision of the draft reorganized pest risk analysis standard (2023-037)
•    Review draft standards from a plain-language perspective, identifying linguistic, structural, and organizational barriers to comprehension. When reviewing draft ISPM texts, apply plain-language principles, including clarity, conciseness, use of the active voice, and the application of a logical structure.
•    Apply plain language principles, including clarity, conciseness, active voice and logical structure, to assess draft ISPM texts.
•    Provide evidence-based recommendations to improve readability, comprehension and usability of the ISPMs while respecting the requirements of FAOSTYLE, the IPPC style guide and ISPM 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms).
•    Prepare a report for the attention of the CPM Bureau, summarizing observations, challenges and recommendations.
•    Submit a report to the CPM Bureau that presents observations and provides recommendations.
•    Review draft ISPMs and provide annotated versions containing clear, plain-language feedback on potential improvements.
•    Prepare concise analytical guidelines that identify transferable lessons and key considerations for future ISPM drafting.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
•    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in communications, professional or scientific writing, linguistics, English literature or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in communications, professional or scientific writing, linguistics, English literature or a related field.
•    Minimum of five (5) years of proven professional experience applying plain language principles to scientific, regulatory or policy documents.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Proven ability to simplify complex technical content without compromising scientific accuracy or legal intent.
•    Familiarity with international standards (e.g. ISPMs, ISO…), regulatory texts or multilateral institutional processes.
•    Experience working with multidisciplinary expert groups and providing editorial or analytical support.
•    Strong analytical, editorial and report-writing skills.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp.

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6. Climate Risks and Agrometeorologist Specialist

Location:   Home-Based

Duration: 4 months

Deadline: 3 Jun 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Job Description

Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Tunisia is responsible for the development, promotion, supervision, and implementation of programmes and strategies jointly prepared with the Government in the areas of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also maintains strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions and financial and technical partners.

This position is focused on development support and project implementation.

Tunisia is finalizing its first national project for submission to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), acting as the GCF Accredited Entity. The proposed project, Climate Resilient Agriculture and Livelihoods in Southern Tunisia (CRALST), aims to strengthen climate resilience, enhance rural livelihoods, and protect vulnerable arid ecosystems. During 2024–2025, the Funding Proposal (FP) underwent a full restructuring following initial feedback received from the GCF Secretariat in March 2024. A first version of the revised FP and annexes was prepared. To finalize the FP formulation, a Climate Impact and Potential Analysis (CIPA) is required to further strengthen the project’s climate rationale.

Reporting Lines

The Climate Risks and Agrometeorologist Specialist will be under the overall supervision of FAO Representative of Tunisia, OCB Natural Resources Officer, and the direct supervision of SNE land and water officer.

Technical Focus

To support the aforementioned project, the international Climate Risks and Agrometeorology Specialist is expected to produce information and recommendations using national and sub-national level data. In particular, the following activities are foreseen:
•    Analysis of the occurrence and geographical coverage of climate-related hazards in the project locations using nationally available data, including a historical analysis of hazard types, intensities, frequencies and associated losses and damages
•    Assessment of historical and future trends in climate data and extreme events to determine changes in frequency, intensity and duration and potential impacts in project areas, to the highest resolution possible.
•    Assess the impacts of climate and weather hazards to the agricultural sector.
•    Analysis of historical and future climatic indicators.
•    Assessment of vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the people and ecosystems in the project area and identify additional areas to integrate resilience into the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Collect and synthetize of all available climate data (historical and future periods) to build a more comprehensive understanding of climate trends and projections specific to the agricultural sector.
•    Collect data and study on agricultural production, trends and use along the project area and, if possible, prepare assessment on the impacts of climate change tailored to the systems targeted by the project.
•    Review available information on climate indicators, including extremes and impacts on the agricultural sector (historical and near and mid-term future).
•    Collect and synthetize available biophysical and socio-economic maps, vulnerability assessments and data at the targeted level.
•    Review all available information and collect relevant data on climate risks at regional level.
•    Collect and analyze loss and damage data in relation to climate-related hazards.
•    Review how and which type of weather-informed advisories are being delivered to the agricultural sector.
•    Advise and support for the integration of climate risk consideration in the Funding proposal.
•    Develop crop suitability maps assessing the impacts of climate change using analytical impact-based frameworks (e.g. PyAEZ) for RCPs 2.6 and 8.5. The former will be complemented by a set agricultural transformation and adaptation solutions to climate change.

 

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 climate science, environmental sciences, agricultural climatology, natural resource management, or a related field relevant to the assignment. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least five (5) years of relevant experience in climate change adaptation, with demonstrated experience in agrometeorology, climate risk analysis, and/or climate impacts on agriculture, water resources, or food systems.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Familiarity with programming language (R), web-based interfaces used to write and run codes (Jupyter Notebooks), and GIS software’s (Q-GIS, ArcGIS).
•    Excellent understanding of national and regional climate policies, climate risk assessments, and their intersection with agriculture, water, energy, and food security strategies.
•    Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to think creatively.
•    Excellent writing skills and ability to synthesize.
•    Experience working with UN agencies is an advantage.

 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at: >> Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp