Project Associate, Ankara

## Project Associate, Ankara - Organization:FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Office:FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia Description of assignment title:Project Associate Assignment country:Türkiye Work location:On UN premises Expected start date:12/15/2026 Duration:6 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances Sustainable Development Goal:15. Life on land Host entity:FAO Turkiye Volunteer category:Associate UCoS from Apr2026 Work schedule:Full-time Number of Assignments:1 Mission and objectives: - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. - Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. - Join us in creating a #ZeroHunger world. - The assignment is embedded within the project “Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainable Management of Egirdir Lake in Türkiye for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation (SER-SEL)”, implemented by FAO Türkiye with support from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. - Egirdir Lake, Türkiye’s second-largest freshwater lake, is an important ecosystem for biodiversity, agriculture, fisheries, and local livelihoods, but is increasingly affected by declining water levels, pollution, invasive species, habitat degradation, and unsustainable use of natural resources. - The SER-SEL project aims to strengthen the ecological resilience and sustainable management of Egirdir Lake through biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, improved water-use efficiency, participatory governance, and knowledge sharing. - Working as part of the FAO Türkiye project team, the UN Volunteer will support project implementation, coordination, research, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-sharing activities. The assignment will provide exposure to cooperation with national and local institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, research institutions, municipalities, cooperatives, and other stakeholders involved in the sustainable management of Egirdir Lake. - Under the direct supervision of FAO Assistant Representative in Türkiye, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - - Support the implementation and day-to-day coordination of activities under the SER-SEL project, including follow-up with relevant FAO colleagues, national counterparts, experts, and implementing partners. - - Assist in collecting, organizing, and reviewing information and data related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and water-use efficiency. - - Contribute to the preparation of project-related documents, including meeting notes, briefing materials, presentations, reports, knowledge products, and other technical or programme support materials. - - Support the organization and documentation of stakeholder consultations, workshops, training sessions, field visits, and other project events, including liaison with relevant institutions and partners. - - Assist in stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing activities with government institutions, research organizations, municipalities, cooperatives, local communities, and other relevant partners. - - Contribute to project communication, outreach, and awareness-raising activities, including the preparation of information materials, case studies, project updates, and visibility content. - - Support the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and project results, including inputs to knowledge-management and dissemination activities. - - Support knowledge-sharing and coordination activities under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund-supported project, including exchanges with Chinese experts and partners where relevant. - - Support project monitoring and follow-up activities by helping compile implementation information, participation records, feedback, and other documentation required for project reporting. - - Perform other related duties as required within the scope of the assignment. - Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment. Additional eligibility criteria: - As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA’s programme. Assignment requirements - No experience required - English, Level: Working knowledge, Required Required education level: - Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Engineering - Light Industry-related Fields - Environmental Science - Natural Resources Management - International Relations - Public Administration Competencies and values: - Adaptability and Flexibility - Commitment and Motivation - Commitment to Continuous Learning - Judgement and Decision-making - Planning and Organizing - Respect for Diversity - Technological Awareness Skills and experience: - - Previous experience as a volunteer, intern, student assistant, or in extracurricular activities would be highly regarded. - - Demonstrated interest in working in multicultural environments, international cooperation, or community-based activities would be an asset. - - Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. - - Preparing clear and concise reports, meeting notes, and presentations - - Collecting, organizing, and summarizing information and data - - Supporting the organization of workshops, trainings, and stakeholder meetings - - Communicating and working effectively with diverse stakeholders - - Using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - - Working effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams Area(s) of expertise: - Climate change, environment, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Project management, programme development, strategy