UN-Nutrition Specialist

HOW TO APPLY

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Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application

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 These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

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Organizational Setting

ESN/UN-NUTRITION

UN-Nutrition is the United Nations platform for collective action on nutrition hosted by FAO in Rome under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)s mandate. It was founded in 2020 and unites agencies to align efforts reduce fragmentation and support national and global nutrition goals. A Steering Committee of five constituent agencies (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO; the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD; the United Nations Childrens Fund UNICEF; the World Food Programme WFP; and the World Health Organization WHO) plus rotating members (the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA; and CGIAR) provides governance with broader UN membership reflecting system-wide commitment.

UN-Nutrition exists to help the UN system act as one for nutrition. Its mission is to improve the efficiency effectiveness and coherence of nutrition-related work across UN agenciesfostering purposeful alignment joint advocacy and strategic integration of nutrition into development and humanitarian agendas. Rather than implementing directly UN-Nutrition enables and supports UN-Nutrition teams to deliver coordinated context aligned assistance that advances national priorities and the right to adequate food and nutrition for all.

To achieve UN-Nutritions workplan three different profiles are required: Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert Advocacy Lead Reporting and Governance Support Specialist.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Senior UN-Nutrition Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The UN-Nutrition Specialist roles comprise three distinct focus areas:
The Advocacy Lead (Nutrition) will lead and support global nutrition advocacy efforts for UN-Nutrition and its members with responsibility for team management and oversight of knowledge management and communications workstreams.
The Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert (Nutrition) will provide thought leadership for nutrition and drive strategic engagement and coordination with relevant partnership platforms systems and fora.
The Reporting and Governance Support Specialist (Nutrition) will support Secretariat reporting governance and stewardship as well as FAO processes and systems with particular attention to Secretariat knowledge flows and the delivery of timely quality-assured inputs to UN-Nutrition oversight and accountability processes.

Tasks and responsibilities

Advocacy Lead (Nutrition) or Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert (Nutrition)

Lead development and implementation of a unified advocacy or partnership strategy aligned with UN-Nutrition priorities.
Coordinate joint advocacy or partnership workplans across member agencies ensuring coherent narratives and aligned positions.
Represent UN-Nutrition in global policy processes and interagency mechanisms advocating for nutrition integration across food systems climate health and sustainable development agendas.
Manage strategic engagement in global platformsincluding CFS the UN Food Systems Hub OPN-SFS the SUN Movement and the HDSFS Coalitionensuring coordinated inputs governance participation and consolidated reporting.
Build and manage partnerships with governments UN entities donors civil society and advocacy networks to elevate nutrition in high-level dialogues.
Identify and leverage key opportunities for advocacy or partnership engagement; coordinate joint initiatives events communications and involvement of champions or influencers.
Produce concise evidence-based materialsbriefs talking points narratives statements slide decksto support advocacy or partnership efforts and leadership engagement.
Oversee knowledge management standards knowledge exchange and quality assurance for advocacy or partnership-related products.
Develop and implement monitoring frameworks for advocacy or partnership work prepare analytical updates and advise leadership on strategic adjustments.
Support and mentor staff or consultants supporting advocacy partnerships communications and knowledge management; deliver related capacity-building activities.
Perform any other tasks as required.

Reporting and Governance Support Specialist (Nutrition)

Coordinate annual and biennial Secretariat reporting including calendars templates guidance data consolidation drafting and version control.
Apply organizational reporting requirements secure technical clearances coordinate with finance and maintain evidence files.
Support light monitoring and evaluation for reporting including indicator tracking lessons learned and simple dashboards.
Provide logistical and content support for Steering Committee and membership meetings including agendas notes action trackers summaries and follow-up.
Maintain governance filesmembership lists rotation schedules archivesand support updates to internal guidance.
Maintain governance and workplan dashboards for Secretariat leadership and membership.
Ensure compliance with organizational procedures for documentation routing agreements budget instruments and archiving.
Track monthly budgets liaise with finance focal points monitor expenditures and prepare concise budget summaries and dashboards.
Maintain orderly digital workspaces (SharePoint/Teams) through structured folders naming conventions permissions and authoritative versions.
Prepare leadership packages and communication materials (briefs talking points slides background notes) and maintain a tagged repository of approved products.
Perform any other tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in public health nutrition international relations political science communications food systems development studies or a related field; Consultants with bachelors degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy partnerships policy development nutrition food security public health or international development for Advocacy Lead or Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert
Minimum 1 year of experience in coordination reporting project/knowledge support or administration in international or multi-stakeholder settings for the Reporting and Governance Support Specialist.
Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Advocacy & Partnerships

Ability to design implement and monitor evidence-based advocacy or partnership strategies aligned with global policy agendas and UN-Nutrition priorities.
Strong communication negotiation diplomacy and influencing skills with experience engaging high-level decision-makers and representing organizations in global and intergovernmental fora.
Demonstrated capacity to lead and coordinate multi-agency or multi-stakeholder initiatives ensuring coherent messaging aligned inputs and effective cross-UN collaboration.
Deep understanding of global nutrition food systems and sustainable development with familiarity with major platforms and governance structures (e.g. CFS SUN Movement HDSFS Coalition OPN-SFS UNFSS climate COPs).
Proven ability to provide technical guidance on nutrition-sensitive policies programming or investments translating analysis and evidence into strategic recommendations.
Strong analytical skills including data interpretation indicator tracking results-based management and contribution to monitoring evaluation and reporting.
Ability to prepare high-quality briefs policy papers and presentations for senior audiences ensuring accuracy clarity and alignment with organizational positions.
Experience navigating UN or international organization proceduresclearance processes governance mechanisms project cycle requirements and coordination structures.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to guide mentor and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in complex institutional environments.
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple high-level initiatives deadlines and workflows efficiently.
Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish).

Reporting Governance & Coordination

Ability to support coordination of multi-agency meetings and governance processes including agenda preparation note-taking action tracking and maintenance of structured files and archives.
Experience compiling and formatting reports using shared templates supporting routing and clearance and assisting with basic monitoring and data tracking.
Familiarity with UN or organizational processes (e.g. project documentation budgeting categories administrative workflows) and ability to follow established procedures using provided guidance.
Basic understanding of knowledge management principles and capacity to maintain organized SharePoint/Teams libraries web content updates and document version control.
Strong organizational skills attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accurate document trails.
Proficiency with MS Office (Word Excel PowerPoint) and collaboration tools (SharePoint/Teams); familiarity with CMS or communication tools (e.g. Mailchimp) is an asset.
Strong writing and communication skills including the ability to synthesize inputs and draft clear summaries or sections of reports.
Ability to work proactively and collaboratively in virtual multicultural teams with adaptability to support a broad range of coordination and administrative tasks.
Knowledge of monitoring evaluation and basic data analytics is an advantage.
Experience in international development humanitarian settings or the nutrition sector is an asset.
Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish).

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

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 FAOs 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

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