Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste)

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) is responsible for leading FAO's response to four regional priorities for Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Divisions/Offices/Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.

RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on the areas of the four betters, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security and nutrition.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste) reports to the Senior Policy Officer (Food Security and Nutrition) of the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and maintains contact and works under the overall guidance of the Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Technical Focus

Policy analysis support enabling Members to develop, adopt and assess policies, plans, legal frameworks and programmes that help achieve better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life in Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific areas of interest include data analysis, literature review, evidence-based policy, project development and technologies and innovations on Food Loss and Waste (FLW). The Young Professional Officer (Food Loss and Waste) will critically incorporate these areas of analysis and implementation into the support, advocacy and effective policy dialogue of high impact, realistic, and innovative regional, subregional, national and local strategies to address food loss and waste in the region.

Key Results

Research, 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

• Develops data and policy analyses on food loss and waste, sustainable agrifood systems and healthy diets.
• Conducts literature reviews, analyses, evaluation and extensive needs assessment on food loss and waste, maintaining an updated database of studies, data and policy frameworks on food loss and waste in the countries of the region.
• Assesses and prioritizes relevant technologies and innovations to unlock the potential for reducing food loss and waste.
• Analyses regional and country-level issues and prepare in depth-assessment of the policy and framework in relation to food loss and waste.
• Drafts and produces technical policy or data contents, relevant reports, publications and official documents on progress achievement and issues related to the policy advice provided or potential policy development on food loss and waste.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, sociology, agricultural sciences, political sciences, social sciences, nutrition or related field.
• One year of relevant experience in policy research, data analysis, or project design and/or evaluation on agriculture and/or nutrition.
• 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 collecting, analysing and summarizing technical information and data.
• Extent and relevance of experience in data analysis, evidence-based policy analysis, literature review and project development with different actors and sectors, such as governments, academia, civil society, private sector, and development partners within the international cooperation.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, edit technical reports and documents, present visual and graphic technical contents, and deliver effective oral presentations.
• Advanced use of statistical analysis software and efficient management of datasets.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Spanish is considered an asset.

NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.