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• 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 person 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’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) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day.

The position is located in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Reporting Lines

The Social Protection Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programmes, and with the support of the Social Policy Officer (RAF) and Agrifoof Systems Expert (Malawi). The consultant will work in close coordination with relevant personnel in FAO Malawi, government counterparts, UN partners and other stakeholders.

Technical Focus

The consultant will be responsible for overseeing project implementation, provide technical support in project implementation, engage and coordinate with government counterparts and relevant stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on social protection and spearhead country level engagements with the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and other relevant stakeholders to advance FAO’s work on social protection in Malawi
• Co- lead with the Agrifood system expert in conducting an assessment and develop a set of programme design and delivery recommendations to ensure improved linkages and referrals between selected social protection programmes and the agrifood system in Malawi.
• Support the Agrifood system Expert to define (i) key issues and research questions; (ii) the scope of the assessment; (iii) the research method to be used to conduct the assessment; (iv) the table of contents; and (v) a literature review of best practice, institutional arrangements and governance mechanisms that would facilitate linkages across social protection and agrifood systems.
• Organize an inception workshop in Lilongwe, bringing together key government and non-government practitioners to review and finalize the contents of the assessment as outlined in FAO activity 1.
• Organize a consultation workshop in Mzuzu, Blantyre, and Salima, bringing together agribusiness, other private sector partners, local government and relevant development partners to review and finalize the contents of the assessment as per FAO activity 1.
• Organize a validation workshop of the report findings
• Organize a national launch event in Lilongwe to disseminate the findings of the assessment and develop ownership among all key stakeholders to collectively take forward the assessment’s programme design and delivery recommendations.
• Support the development and roll out a modular training package on establishing linkages and referrals between selected social protection programmes and the agrifood system.
• Ensure the effective implementation of all other activities of FAO under the Joint SDG project.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in Development Studies, Community Development, Economics, or related field.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated relevant experience in Social Protection in Africa.
• Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in Social Protection and Agri Food Systems, preferably with the United Nations or other international or multilateral organizations.
• Experience and knowledge in data analysis and management and monitoring activities using widely used statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, MS Excel is an added advantage.
• Coordination skills (communication)
• Experience working along the Social Protection -development nexus.
• Extent and relevance of experience with international or multi-lateral organizations, preferably FAO, and/or with government is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Writing and communication skills.
• Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
• Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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/csp

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