Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) supports Member Nations and subregional institutions in addressing food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities across West Africa. In line with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31, SFW contributes to the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. SFW facilitates the adaptation and implementation of FAO corporate strategies and programmes at country and subregional levels, ensuring alignment with national priorities and regional frameworks led by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as ECOWAS, MRU, UEMOA and CILSS. The Office hosts a multidisciplinary team of technical experts across key sectors, including crop and livestock production, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, land and water management, pastoralism, and climate resilience. Through this integrated approach, SFW provides technical and policy support to its 15 Member Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

SFW supports countries in their efforts to reduce poverty, improve food security and nutrition, and strengthen resilient livelihoods, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, including women and youth. Its work promotes sustainable agricultural practices, strengthens value chains, enhances access to markets, and fosters climate-resilient agrifood systems. Guided by the Four Betters, better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, leaving no one behind. SFW contributes to delivering transformative impact at scale. This includes mobilizing partnerships, supporting investment opportunities, and advancing innovative and data-driven solutions.

For a Young Professionals Programme context, nutrition and agrifood systems transformation are central to SFW's operations, with a focus on improving dietary quality, promoting sustainable food systems, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. SFW supports countries in mainstreaming nutrition into policies and programmes, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and evidence-based, integrated solutions aligned with FAO's Four Betters. The YPP will be based at the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa in Dakar, with travel to countries in the subregion, where relevant.

The position is located in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) in Dakar, Senegal.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Nutrition and Food Systems) reports to the Agribusiness Officer at SFW, under the overall guidance of the Subregional Coordinator for West Africa. The YPP will work in close collaboration with technical teams at SFW, FAO Country Offices, the Regional Office, relevant Headquarters units, and regional partners.

Technical Focus

The position contributes to FAO’s collaborative efforts with partner to support the design, implementation and monitoring of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-focused programmes, projects and policy initiatives in West Africa, including:
Integration of nutrition into agriculture and food systems programming;
Contribution to analytical work, policy support and capacity development;
Strengthening of multisectoral coordination mechanisms on nutrition;
Knowledge generation and dissemination on nutrition and food systems.

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 the Integration of Nutrition into SFW Programmes and Projects:

Assists in integrating nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems approaches into FAO programmes and projects in West Africa.
Contributes to the formulation of project concept notes, proposals and provides technical inputs to strengthening the integration of nutrition considerations in regional and national interventions.
Supports the alignment of project documents with national nutrition priorities, FAO global frameworks, the SDGs, WHA Nutrition Targets and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, as required.

Provides Technical Support to Country Offices and Field Teams:

Supports SFW and FAO Country Offices in reviewing project proposals, implementing nutrition-sensitive interventions and preparing technical notes.
Assists with technical backstopping missions and preparation of field visit materials, data collection tools and follow-up reports.
Supports the organization of regular meetings of Nutrition focal points in SFW region for information sharing, capacity building, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and fostering joint efforts to improve nutrition in the sub region.

Strengthens Multi-Sectoral Approaches and Coordination

Assists in strengthening multisectoral collaboration among agriculture, health, social protection, education and environment sectors to promote integrated nutrition strategies.
Supports the review and enhancement of national and subregional coordination mechanisms involving RECs such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought in the Sahel (CILSS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and other partners.
Contributes to the development of national and subregional nutrition action plans, ensuring a holistic food systems approach.

Performs Other Duties as Required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Nutrition or a related field, such as Food Science, Food Security, Agriculture, Food Technology, and Public Health, integrating nutrition into agriculture.
One year of relevant experience in nutrition-sensitive programming, food security, agricultural development or related fields, preferably in developing countries.
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 and analysing technical information and data.
Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in related fields such as policy and programme initiatives in strengthening nutrition and agrifood systems.
Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
Extent and relevance of experience in strengthening nutrition and agrifood systems.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French 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.

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.

Young Professional Officer (Nutrition And Food Systems)