Young Professional Officer (Community-Driven Innovation) in Latina

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

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 ondate and time settings ofyour personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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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 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 Setting

The 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 Lines

The 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 Focus

Innovation 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 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

• 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

• 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).
• 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.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO 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 SERVICE

A 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 workplaceculture 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.

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