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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Nepal’s agriculture, a major contributor to GDP and a key source of livelihood, is transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming, backed by enabling government policies and advancing technologies. Despite its rich potential and diverse crop base, the sector continues to face challenges, including outdated farming technologies, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, and the adverse impacts of climate change.

Harnessing the potential of youth in this transformation process is crucial. Empowering youth through strategic interventions, leadership opportunities, and enhanced access to resources can catalyze innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in agrifood systems. Youth-led networks and partnerships can play a pivotal role in mobilizing local actions, driving policy advocacy, and accelerating agrifood system transformation towards resilience and inclusivity.

Creating an enabling environment that enhances the role of youth as catalysts aligns with the Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) 2015–2035 and the National Youth Vision, which emphasize youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment generation. Supporting these frameworks, FAO Nepal is implementing youth-focused interventions to increase participation in agrifood systems through training, access to technology, leadership development, and support for entrepreneurship.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme), Programme Manager, and in technical coordination with FAO regional office in Bangkok, the incumbent will support youth engagement interventions, ensuring effective integration of youth-focused activities within FAO’s country programme, including programme implementation, coordination, partnerships, and reporting.

Technical Focus

Provide programmatic and operational support to youth engagement initiatives, including mainstreaming youth interventions across FAO programmes, supporting project implementation, partnerships, capacity development, and knowledge management, while ensuring alignment with FAO strategic priorities and national development frameworks.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead in mainstreaming youth interventions in FAO’s overall country programme while consolidating global, regional and national flagship projects/ initiatives and creating alignment, synergies and synchronization to ensure youth inclusion and support the WFF Nepal Chapter and other youth led organizations.
•    Support the programme leads with all required FAO projects, programmes and partners to execute the activities and keep to the agreed timelines.
•    Lead in the preparation of project proposals/documents, project briefs, project progress/final reports, background papers, sections of reports and studies.
•    Lead to foster collaboration and partnership with stakeholders and potential partners.
•    Collect and compile data on programme/ project activities to support reporting on programme/ project delivery.
•    Lead in the organization of policy dialogues, workshops and consultation meetings and preparation for youth and other programme interventions, project periodic reviews, field monitoring and supervision missions in close consultation with the programme team, government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.
•    Lead in planning for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare meeting minutes, correspondences, compile and distribute documents, support in administrative arrangements.
•    Enter, select, analyse, and summarize data from various sources, including FAO corporate systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System), FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), Global Resource Management System (GRMS), country databases, etc to support programme operations.
•    Maintain log, file, and update records in prescribed format for subsequent use.
•    Lead in the preparation and submission of periodic and ad hoc project reports.
•    Prepare correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required.
•    Carry out other specific operational tasks for youth intervention/programme/project implementation as requested.
•    Perform other related duties as required.

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

• Develop, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications, IEC Materials and correspondence related to the work of the Country office from draft texts.

FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE( https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Master’s degree in agriculture, development studies, social sciences, youth development, environmental science, or a related field with relevant practical and/or policy-level experience.
•    At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in youth engagement and empowerment within agrifood systems, including mainstreaming youth in programmes/projects, partnership development (e.g., youth networks/WFF platforms), and leading project implementation, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.
•    Working knowledge of English and Nepali language.
•    National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Youth engagement and mainstreaming in agrifood systems (including WFF initiatives)
•    Programme/project (formulation, implementation, and reporting)
•    Partnership development and coordination with youth networks and stakeholders
•    Advocacy, and youth-focused capacity-building activities
•    Knowledge management, communication, and documentation

Selection Criteria

•    Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with strong ability to prepare reports, proposals, communication and knowledge products related to youth engagement and WFF initiatives.
•    Relevant experience in youth engagement and empowerment within agrifood systems, including mainstreaming youth in programmes/projects and supporting implementation and reporting.
•    Experience in organizing events, workshops, campaigns, and supporting youth-focused advocacy, capacity-building, and outreach activities.
•    Experience in coordinating with youth networks, government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and partners; exposure to multi-stakeholder platforms is an advantage.
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in teams and engage with diverse youth and stakeholder groups.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
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/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Youth Engagement Specialist