Young Professional Officer (Nutrition And Food Systems)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceThe length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • 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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization. FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. 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, forbetter production,better nutrition,a better environment,anda better life, leaving no one behind. Organizational SettingThe FAO Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) supports Member Nations and subregional institutions in addressing food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities across West Africa. In line with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31, SFW contributes to the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. SFW facilitates the adaptation and implementation of FAO corporate strategies and programmes at country and subregional levels, ensuring alignment with national priorities and regional frameworks led by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as ECOWAS, MRU, UEMOA and CILSS. The Office hosts a multidisciplinary team of technical experts across key sectors, including crop and livestock production, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, land and water management, pastoralism, and climate resilience. Through this integrated approach, SFW provides technical and policy support to its 15 Member Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.SFW supports countries in their efforts to reduce poverty, improve food security and nutrition, and strengthen resilient livelihoods, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, including women and youth. Its work promotes sustainable agricultural practices, strengthens value chains, enhances access to markets, and fosters climate-resilient agrifood systems. Guided by the Four Betters, better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, leaving no one behind. SFW contributes to delivering transformative impact at scale. This includes mobilizing partnerships, supporting investment opportunities, and advancing innovative and data-driven solutions.For a Young Professionals Programme context, nutrition and agrifood systems transformation are central to SFW's operations, with a focus on improving dietary quality, promoting sustainable food systems, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. SFW supports countries in mainstreaming nutrition into policies and programmes, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and evidence-based, integrated solutions aligned with FAO's Four Betters. The YPP will be based at the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa in Dakar, with travel to countries in the subregion, where relevant.The position is located in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) in Dakar, Senegal.Reporting LinesThe Young Professional Officer (Nutrition and Food Systems) reports to the Agribusiness Officer at SFW, under the overall guidance of the Subregional Coordinator for West Africa. The YPP will work in close collaboration with technical teams at SFW, FAO Country Offices, the Regional Office, relevant Headquarters units, and regional partners.Technical FocusThe position contributes to FAO’s collaborative efforts with partner to support the design, implementation and monitoring of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-focused programmes, projects and policy initiatives in West Africa, including:Integration of nutrition into agriculture and food systems programming;Contribution to analytical work, policy support and capacity development;Strengthening of multisectoral coordination mechanisms on nutrition;Knowledge generation and dissemination on nutrition and food systems.Key ResultsResearch, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.Key FunctionsAnalyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.Provides technical support to various projects.Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.Specific FunctionsSupports the Integration of Nutrition into SFW Programmes and Projects:Assists in integrating nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems approaches into FAO programmes and projects in West Africa.Contributes to the formulation of project concept notes, proposals and provides technical inputs to strengthening the integration of nutrition considerations in regional and national interventions.Supports the alignment of project documents with national nutrition priorities, FAO global frameworks, the SDGs, WHA Nutrition Targets and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, as required.Provides Technical Support to Country Offices and Field Teams:Supports SFW and FAO Country Offices in reviewing project proposals, implementing nutrition-sensitive interventions and preparing technical notes.Assists with technical backstopping missions and preparation of field visit materials, data collection tools and follow-up reports.Supports the organization of regular meetings of Nutrition focal points in SFW region for information sharing, capacity building, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and fostering joint efforts to improve nutrition in the sub region.Strengthens Multi-Sectoral Approaches and CoordinationAssists in strengthening multisectoral collaboration among agriculture, health, social protection, education and environment sectors to promote integrated nutrition strategies.Supports the review and enhancement of national and subregional coordination mechanisms involving RECs such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought in the Sahel (CILSS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and other partners.Contributes to the development of national and subregional nutrition action plans, ensuring a holistic food systems approach.Performs Other Duties as Required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum RequirementsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or e