Job Description

2602005

Young Professional Officer (Community-Driven Innovation)

Job Posting

: 23/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 14/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: OIN

Job Type

: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Grade Level: P-1

Primary Location

: Italy-Rome

Duration: Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2008723

CCOG Code: 1A02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The 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, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. Organizational SettingThe Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the Organization's work, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. Reporting to the Office of the Chief Scientist, OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration among FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Reporting LinesThe Young Professional Officer (Community-driven Innovation) reports to the Innovation Officer (Farmer Field Schools) and works in close collaboration with other relevant OIN teams and units across FAO.

Technical FocusInnovation in agrifood systems with emphasis on community-driven and grassroots innovation, including co-creation processes, multi-actor learning, and the generation of evidence and knowledge to support agrifood systems transformation including through agroecology. Key ResultsResearch, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services. Key Functions • Analyses 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 Functions • Supports identification, documentation and analysis of grassroots innovations, farmer innovation and community-driven innovation processes in particular on agroecology, and development of related methodologies.• Supports design and implementation of community-driven, grassroots and frugal innovation activities in agrifood-systems and development of related methodologies, including promoting innovation through Farmer Field Schools.• Provides support to the Global Farmer Field School Platform, including coordination, knowledge management and communication to highlight innovations emerging in, from and through FFS.• Contributes to co-development and facilitation of multi-actor learning and innovation processes (e.g. Global Farmer Field School Platform, Living Labs, Innovation Think Labs, communities of practice).• Supports the generation of evidence, knowledge products, learning outputs and training material on innovation in agrifood systems, including on agroecology.• Contributes to analysis of key challenges in grassroots and community-driven innovation, including scaling, governance, policy engagement and innovation ecosystems.• Supports implementation of the OIN Learning Agenda on Community-driven innovation in coordination with partners and stakeholders. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agricultural innovation, systems agronomy, agricultural economics, or related field.• One year of relevant experience in international development, with a focus on agrifood systems, rural development and innovation.• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). 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, particularly in field positions is desirable.• Extent and relevance of experience in community-driven, user-driven or participatory approaches in agrifood systems for food security and agroecology.• Knowledge of agrifood systems and rural development contexts.• Understanding of innovation systems, grassroots and farmer-led innovation, community-driven innovation, user-driven innovation and multi-actor learning processes.• Ability to support co-production of knowledge and participatory research processes; for defined outputs, outcomes and impacts.• Experience with Farmer Field Schools or similar farmer participatory approaches is desirable.• Knowledge and experience of: participatory methods (PRA, human-centred/co-design approaches) for working directly with farmer communities; Results-based M-E log frames, theory of change - KoboToolbox; Data analysis (Stata, R, Python), knowledge of food security metrics (IPC classification, FIES, HDDS); Value chain and market systems analysis; Gender and social inclusion analysis.• Field experience in developing country contexts is desirable. Additional Information: Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO. _________________________________________________________________FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency._________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INFORMATIONExtension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of fundsFAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. CONDITIONS OF SERVICEA competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________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