Jerusalem: Policy Adviser: Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Mar 6, 2022 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.

Organizational Setting

Under the 2014-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework, the European Commission (EC) engaged in a partnership with FAO to strengthen countries’ capacities and the policy and institutional environment for investments geared towards improving food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (SDG2) to be more effective and impactful.

Following the 2019-20 independent evaluation, the FIRST Programme was extended until end of 2022 with the intention to develop a successor programme in the framework of the new EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027), whereby the country work will become largely funded from country-level resources.

In Palestine, In the past 5 years, the Government undertook a strategic thinking process that led to the formulation of the National Policy Agenda 2017-2022 (NPA) and a series of related sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies, such as the National Agriculture Sector Strategy and related six Agriculture Cluster Development Plans for its activation. Within this drive, the MoA led the formulation of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy in Palestine 2030 (NFNSP) and of the National Investment Plan for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture 2020-2022 (NIP), to address the dispersed, imbalanced and uncoordinated policy response of the sector. The NFNSP and the NIP were formulated counting on the services of the FAO-EU Food and nutrition security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) Programme.

On 7 October 2020, the Government of Palestine endorsed the NFNSP and the NIP.

The formulation and endorsement of the NFNSP and the NIP are evidence of a policy shift towards an SDG-based multi-sectoral approach to planning and implementation of interventions for the transformation of the food system to be more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. This matches and complements the efforts made in parallel by the European Development Partners (EDPs) that issued the European Joint Strategy in Support of Palestine. With the European Joint Strategy, the EDPs committed to having a common reference ground when addressing (individually or as a group) Palestinian development priorities and needs.

Reporting Lines

The Policy Adviser (FIRST Programme) reports to the Head of Office, works in close liaison with and guidance from the Head of Programme and receives guidance on technical issues from FIRST Management (FAO HQ).

Technical Focus

Provides leadership, guidance and operational support for results-based policy assistance, governance, capacity development and facilitates policy dialogue around food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Provide leadership, guidance and operational support for results-based policy assistance, governance, capacity development and facilitation of policy dialogue around food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA).
  • Develop and implement coherent, integrated and effective policy assistance and governance work for FNSSA.
  • Plan, organize and participate in capacity development activities involving the provision of technical advice and assistance, and oversee the development of related materials
  • Advocate strategic partnerships, best practices, and policy dialogue and support resource mobilization, formulation and implementation of programmes and initiatives within a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach.
  • Prepare reports to FAO, the European Union and the Government on progress achievement and issues related to FIRST implementation

In the specifics and in close liaison with and guidance from the Head of Programme of the FAO Office for West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Policy Adviser will:

  • Enhance MoA capacity to perform as leader of SDG2 Governance System supporting:
    • the preparation of the NIP Report for 2021;
    • the initiation of the NIP revision for NIP 2024-2028.
  • Support MoA and the EU in their respective strategic efforts in the field, including updates and reviews of the National Agriculture Sector Strategy and of European Partners Joint Strategy, as and when needed.
  • Prepare/support/distribute analyses/studies/situation reports for evidence-based decision making including:
    • Supporting the establishment and implementation of a quantitative based methodology to monitor the impact of shocks and stressors on the agri-food system);
    • Overseeing the preparation of an The Exploratory Study of the Feasibility of Food Reserves in Palestine
    • Supporting the definition of the Road Map for investment on the solar electrification of the agriculture sector along the agri-food value chain in Gaza.
  • Facilitate/foster Policy dialogue around SDG2, through:
    • Ensuring the active participation of the MoA Planning and Policy DG and SDG2 Working Group in the NIP reporting and revision exercises mentioned above;
    • Providing advisory oversight to the Food Security Sector Coordination Team;
    • Participating and/or contributing to UN coordination activities over SDGs, fostering an HDP nexus approach;
  • Formulate a county level project to build and support governance capacities for Agri-food System Transformation to Achieve SDG2 in Palestine, Enabling the Policy and Investment Environment.

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in agricultural economics, development economics, public policy or closely related fields;
  • Seven years of experience in economic analysis, formulation and monitoring of FNSSA policy, delivering policy assistance and institutional capacity development related to FNSSA;
  • Working knowledge of English Language and limited knowledge of one of the other languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian). For PSA.SBS the working knowledge of only one language is required.

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions in Oriental Near East is desirable
  • Extent and relevance of experience in facilitating multi-stakeholders policy dialogue on Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) policies
  • Extent and relevance of experience in identifying and prioritizing investment projects and programs in the area of FNSSA and rural development including command of Project Cycle Management is desirable
  • Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

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

Additional Information

  • FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
  • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
  • 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website

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
  • 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 contact: Careers@fao.org