Food Supply Chain and Consumption – Sociologist
Job Posting: 17/May/2021
Closure Date: 31/May/2021, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: REU
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Home-Based
Duration: 110 days WAE (NTE 31 December 2021)
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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization
Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. REU develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, sustainable food systems, and facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization in the region.
Reporting Lines
The Consultant reports to the REU Agro-industry Officer, and receives technical guidance from the REU Gender and Social Protection Advisor.
Technical Focus
Value Chains (VC) and consumers are the core of national food systems. VC development comprises analysis and strengthening of primary food production, post-harvest management, agro-processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail, food services – plus food loss and waste (FLW) reduction in all these steps (SDG 12.3). In addition there are the support systems of infrastructure, policies, finance, input supply, marketing and research.
In the context of national and ethnic cultures and social settings, the Sociologist provides support to member countries’ national food systems in enhancing the agri-food policy environment for the social and gender dimensions of small and medium-sized agricultural and food producers, processors, traders, service providers and consumers. He/she will strengthen agrifood value chains through the advice on and implementation of socially sustainable management and organization structures in the postharvest, agro-industry, wholesale/retail and horeca sectors, plus sustainable consumption through consumer education.
Tasks and responsibilities
General
Contributes to the analysis, description and depiction of national food systems, and the development of sustainable food systems.
Designs and conducts research, data collection, analysis, validation to support the development of social standards, gender-sensitive approaches and strategies, organizational settings for VC actors, reports/ publications and policy advice and expertise.
Responds to country requests for policy assistance, provides advice, assistance and solutions to decentralized offices and field projects.
Collaborates in, provides support to, and ensures the quality/ effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities, such as training events and the preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
Specific
Prepares evidence-based analyses of the agrifood value chains and related services and institutions, with regard to the social impact of the operations, application of gender equity, power relations, income opportunities, organization of VC actors, and consumer behaviour.
Formulates strategies and policy guidelines for strengthening the social sustainability of agrifood value chains, including the function of cooperatives.
Supports the design and implementation of activities, programmes and projects relating to value chain development, including management and organization of VC segments and actors, ensuring inclusiveness of vulnerable groups.
Analyses technical and policy issues, strategies and programmes to support the development and increased competitiveness of women initiatives in small- and medium agro-enterprises (SMAEs).
Contributes to national level strategic approaches for socially acceptable solutions for food loss and waste, and the development of training materials therein, targeting the VC actors and consumers in the food system.
Supports the development of consumer awareness and education for food waste reduction.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (MSc or equivalent) in social studies, sociology, gender studies.
5 years’ experience in food systems/ rural agricultural development, policy development, social surveys and research, planning and operating of projects, in low or medium income countries.
Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the following: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish for Consultants; working knowledge of English for PSA subscribers.
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Analytical and research skills with focus on social behaviour.
Familiarity with and/or prior working experience in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Western Balkans
Working knowledge of Russian will be considered 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
If you are in possession of language certificate/s from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT), please attach the certificate/s when submitting the application.
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. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline
If you need help please contact: [email protected]
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
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