Job Description

2601883

Atoll Food Systems Specialist

Job Posting

: 04/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 25/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: SAP - Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Marshall Islands-Majuro

Duration: 12 months with a 3-month probation period

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and cultureQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to applyEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's valuesFAO, 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 checksAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentialityFAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind.FAO is technically and operationally supporting the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) through the GEF-funded project “Sustainable food systems and integrated land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands”, with the objective of transforming food systems and land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands to deliver integrated global environmental benefits and health benefits. This project is implemented on 6 atolls: Majuro, Kwajalein, Arrno, Wotje, Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, selected based on population sizes and density, land areas, level of urbanization. The project is expected to integrate food system management into strategy and planning in the RMI; capacity building for spatial planning and decision making to support integrate environmental and agri-food system management; provide feasible and attractive options for resource management and restoration for food production to contribute to land degradation neutrality, ecosystem services; promote value chain/market conditions for sustainably produced nutritious food and upscale/outscale the learnings/best practices in other atoll states and in other small island developing states.The Government of the RMI, in partnership with FAO, will set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) within MNRC and recruit a Project team and international and national specialists (for long- and short-term appointments) to co-ordinate and support project implementation. Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the National Project Coordinator, with guidance of the Senior Technical Advisor. Technical Focus

Under Outcome 1.2, the project will develop and deliver a structured training program and establish a network of skilled Atoll Food System Specialist deployed across the 6 Atolls. The AFS program will support indigenous knowledge, food security and adaptation, and the need for the expansion of scientific capacity within and beyond governments. The AFSOs will work with communities to record local knowledge sets under a changing climate, as well as to identify opportunities (and establish initiatives) to develop sustainable, climate-resilient green and blue food production systems to increase local resilience to climate change, enhance local food and nutrition security, and to strengthen national food sovereignty. By ensuring accurate recording and reporting of data, this program further enhances national data sets, including for the LDN database mentioned above, and will provide a living census of food production across the RMI.The specialists will also act as project Field Specialists to coordinate and support implementation of the annual Work Plan in their respective Atolls. Tasks and responsibilities

• Collect and record local and traditional knowledge on food production systems and food systems datasets towards a ‘living national census’ of food production using data collection and reporting tools prepared under the project;
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of project activities in their respective Atolls;
• Facilitate farmer training and management of the demonstration sites and farmer field schools in the target localities;
• Provide assistance to the MNRC on nursery propagations of planting material for distributions;
• Conduct monitoring of project implementation and regular reporting;
• Liaise with all project stakeholders, in particular the Local Governments, on project information and facilitate implementation of project activities;
• Provide technical support to farmers and communities;
• Prepare and submit progress reports to the NPC;
• Perform any other duties deemed necessary for the successful execution of the project; CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements
• High School Diploma
• 3 years of relevant experience in management or coordination of projects related to the agriculture and environment
• Working knowledge of English
• National of the Marshall Islands FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)Applications received after the closing date will not be acceptedPlease 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 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/cspFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT