Organizational Setting

The Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) coordinates FAO’s response to accelerating the 2030 Agenda through the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, working closely with relevant units across the Organization. The Office supports countries and stakeholders to increase their capacity to implement the SDGs by i) Capitalizing on FAO's multidimensional technical expertise, information and knowledge; ii) Identifying innovative methods for prototyping and scaling up programmes and interventions for SDG acceleration; iii) Communicating the Organization’s key messages on SDGs and agrifood systems with a focus on collaboration and transformative partnerships.

One of the workstreams of the OSG is to support to its Members through the work of the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) in close cooperation with the Office of Chief Statistician as well as FAO Regional and Country Offices with a specific focus on the agrifood systems transformation as an SDG accelerator. Through this joint work, FAO works to promote integrated assessment, analysis and discussion of agrifood systems transformation; evidence-based and data-supported reported on the progress towards SDGs (with the special focus on SDG 2 and other SDGs with the indicators under FAO custodianship); facilitate the participation, inclusion and dialogues of different partners and stakeholders and their awareness of the role of agrifood systems transformation for broader sustainable development transformations; identify accelerators to speed up transformative processes; support the capacity development of national partners to undertake robust, effective, participatory; transparent and integrated follow-up and review; and build long-term partnerships during the VNR preparation process to support and promote further transformative change on the ground.

As part of this work, FAO also promotes and supports preparation of the Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and the localization of the SDGs by promoting the role of local authorities and communities as catalysts of local change through the SDG framework to facilitate transformation towards sustainable development at the local levels, thus contributing to the attainment of the SDGs at the national level. 

Reporting Lines

The SDG Follow-up and Review specialist will report to the Senior Technical Officer (SDG Coordination), Office of Sustainable Development Goals.

Technical Focus 

Promote integrated assessment, analysis, and dialogue on agrifood systems transformation and provide evidence-based reporting on SDG progress, with a focus on SDG 2 and other FAO-monitored indicators, as well as facilitate inclusive stakeholder engagement to raise awareness of agrifood systems' role in sustainable development.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director of the OSG and the direct supervision of the OSG Senior Technical Officer (SDG Coordination), the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

•    Support analysis and literature review of the existing VNR documents of different countries as well as the VLR documents from different locations, identifying good practices in the area of agrifood system transformation analysis; 
•    Support the development and organization of capacity development activities for FAO staff and personnel in HQ, Regional and Country Offices with regard to the FAO engagement in the 2030 follow-up and review process; 
•    Support analysis of existing assessment tools for analyzing agrifood systems transformation;
•    Support literature analysis and prepare draft country/community/location profiles to support the process of the VNR and VLR preparation;
•    Support regular communication processes with regard to the work undertaken by FAO in the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review;
•    Support the organization of online and offline events as part of the FAO engagement in the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review process (respective side events, booths, etc.)
•    Perform any other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in sustainable development, environment, economics, social studies or other area related to FAO work
•    From one to five years of relevant experience in at least one of the following areas: advisory services, partnerships and advocacy programme management, food finance, programme development, policy support, in the area of sustainable development policy and planning
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Sound knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
•    Good analytical skills, including capacity to analyze and synthesize findings
•    Excellent drafting, communication and presentation skills in English
•    Strong ICT skills; proficient use of Microsoft Office package 
•    Ability to plan and organize work
•    Ability to work independently, in a timely and organized manner
•    Versatile and ability to work in a team and multi-task
•    Strong interpersonal skills

Selection Criteria

•    Limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is desirable