Youth Affairs Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The objective of the Call is to attract suitable individuals to undertake A-level, B-level and C-level consultancies and/or PSAs in the Office of Youth and Women (OYW) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The OYW ensures that youth and women act as conduits both (i) internally in FAO, supporting women and youth career enrichment and mainstreaming important topics of youth and women across the Organization, and (ii) externally, by gathering and realizing innovative ideas and approaches related to youth and women within the FAO mandate. The Office takes forward and further institutionalizes the work of the FAO Youth Committee and the FAO Women’s Committee, as well as the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action, designed by FAO as a global network of partners to build an effective platform to share transformative initiatives and encourage actions for the agrifood systems transformation. It promotes transformational leadership for gender equality and women and youth empowerment in the workplace and in FAO’s initiatives, strengthening accountability of managers for gender equality and youth and women’s empowerment. OYW further engages with relevant global initiatives, and UN and other partners and relevant stakeholders, enhancing the advocacy for, and engagement of, youth and women in agrifood systems. The Office works closely with the FAO technical units that coordinate the implementation of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality and the Rural Youth Action Plan and related programmes and initiatives.

Launched in 2021, the World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, youth-led global network of partners facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It aims to spark a global movement that empowers young people everywhere to actively shape agrifood systems to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a better food future for all.

The WFF serves as the premier global forum to harness the passion and power of youth to identify solutions and incite positive action for agrifood systems. It aligns with the 2021 United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, acts as major youth platform in global food governance, and serves as a global think tank that fosters youth-led solutions in innovation, science and technology.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the OYW-Director, the Youth Affairs Specialist will develop and execute strategy and action plans for the WFF tracks, programmes and workstreams.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will work in the technical fields of youth empowerment for agrifood systems transformation, in areas related to policy, innovation, education, culture and outreach.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate and collaborate with partners to further amplify the messages, events and content of the WFF;
• Create and adapt content (presentations, articles, videos, and additional relevant content) for the activities mentioned above and support key meetings and events, including enhancement of design and messaging;
• Collaborate with all required FAO divisions and partners to execute the activities and keep to the agreed timelines;
• Manage the preparation and organization of the World Food Forum key events (i.e. drafting of concept notes, invitations, follow-up communication materials);
• Lead engagements with external partners (e.g.- private sector companies; influencers; marketing & design agencies and freelancers) to enhance and execute campaigns.
• Co-lead planning, partnerships, promotion and management of the WFF key tracks;
• Oversee the measurement and reporting of WFF Tracks activity results;
• Co-manage the team of volunteers and interns of the WFF;
• Develop new initiatives that will boost inclusivity of youth around the world;
• Support the Coordinator of the WFF in other tasks that may arise;
• Upon request from the supervisor, undertake short missions to field offices to support the campaign-related tasks where required and possible.
• Fulfil other tasks as requested.
  
  

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

• Consultants should hold an advanced degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in political science, business administration, marketing, international development or related areas to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• PSA Subscribers must have the relevant educational background, which may, depending on the ToRs, include specific academic or technical qualifications within the required field of expertise. A university degree is therefore not automatically required.
• At least one year (for PSA.SBS category C), two years (for Consultant category C), five years (for category B) or ten years (for category A) of relevant experience developing advocacy platforms, running events, leading marketing and communications, or managing programmes in youth and/or food-related organizations or development agencies similar to FAO.
• Working knowledge (C level) of English
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive experience in strategy development
• Experience in capacity development preferred
• Excellence in presentation development
• Strong English writing skills
• Limited knowledge (B level) of a second FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian) is considered an asset
  
  

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

30/Oct/2025

Closure Date

13/Nov/2025, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

OYW

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Up to 11 months

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 person 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.