Policy Specialist

Organizational Setting  The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on 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.  FAO is actively engaging in UN country level repositioning for SDG achievement, participating in the negotiation and formulation, as well as in the annual updates, of Common Country Assessments (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF).
In this context, the Organization, under the technical leadership of the Economic and Social Development Stream and the Regional Offices, in close coordination with other headquarters technical units, is implementing a mechanism for scaling up the needed human resource analytical and technical expertise in support of the CCA/UNSDCF process at country level.
The mechanism will leverage ongoing processes and initiatives already identified within the Organization and draw upon the most sophisticated tools available, including advanced geo-spatial modeling and analytics.
The effort will draw upon FAO’s specialized tools and analytical methodologies, including sectoral, to propose specific solutions tailored to the country needs and potentials, to ensure a robust UNSDCF Theory of Change that positions FAO as the premier agrifood systems player in the UN system.
As part of the CCA/UNSDCF analytical support mechanism, the need for improved technical support has been identified for producing country situation analyses and for facilitating the dialogue and policy response within the negotiation of the CCA/UNSDCF process and complementary investments in agrifood systems.
Reporting lines The Policy Specialist reports to the Chief Economist office under the overall technical oversight of the Regional Programme Leader, and in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders from decentralized ( Regional, Subregional and Country) offices.
Technical focus Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Economist, he/she will support the regional office and the FAO country offices by delivering the technical support on agrifood systems policy analysis as part of the CCA/UNSDCF analytical support mechanism and scaling up investments.
Tasks and responsibilities • As an input to the CCA, UNSDCF process, and country agrifood system investments, a pre-CCA situation analysis report will be prepared.
This includes: (i) a policy analysis using FAO tools and methodologies to assess challenges, entry points, and alignment with the agenda and SF22-31 framework, and (ii) an evaluation of interactions, trade-offs, bottlenecks, and proposals for targeted policy support and investment scaling• Integrate strategic policy dialogue with UN Country Teams and country stakeholders, identify critical moments for technical inputs into decision-making processes, and ensure the strategic prioritization of FAO technical work content to influence policy outcomes and advance agrifood systems transformation. • Provide support to the FAO country representative in technical backstopping to FAO participation in CCA, UNSDCF processes and country investments in agrifood systems; • Identify critical points, technical elements, information and data related to FAO's performance in the CCA sections in order to propose dialogue and policy response while guiding the construction of the UNSDCF; • Translate complex technical outputs into actionable insights for integration into the CCA and UNSDCF processes, ensuring they inform country programming and policy recommendations in a practical, relevant, and impactful manner. • Provide support to the Representation by contributing, organizing and analysing information from the CCA, in order to position the Organization as a focal point in the field of agrifood systems transformation within the UN system; • Identify support requirements for country offices in terms of CCA and UNSDCF and propose solutions in coordination with the regional office;  • Systematize and disseminate experiences, lessons learned, and best practices around the CCA and UNSDCF; • Other tasks assigned by the immediate supervisor, according to the contractual objectives.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements• University degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public policy or related field; • At least 5 years of working experience in the analysis of economic development issues relevant to FAO’s mandate with emphasis on policies for sustainable agriculture, rural development or food security, including working experience in a developing country context; • 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 expertise in policy analysis, particularly in assessing the policy environment for agrifood systems transformation, identifying policy gaps, and proposing actionable solutions to influence decision-making processes; • Strong advocacy skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and drive policy dialogues at both national and international levels, ensuring alignment with FAO’s strategic priorities and the Agenda; • Excellent communication and facilitation skills and demonstrated senior management and leadership track records; • Extent and relevance of experience in undertaking analysis and assessments, using benchmarked approaches of agrifood systems;  • Depth of experience of social, economic and political issues related to agrifood systems, sustainable agriculture, rural development or food security in the region;  • Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of FAO’s specialized tools and socioeconomic analytical methodologies; • Sound technical and political judgement and capacity to work well with a range of actors including technical teams and decentralized country teams from other UN entities; • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; • Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports/documents in English and an additional UN language is considered a strong asset; • Analytical skills and ability to express and synthesize ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and demonstrated communication skills; 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 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.