Young Professional Officer (Post Production Food Systems, Food Loss & Waste)Vacancy-Job Ref:ACTHFAO/1111/202178

Young Professional Officer (Post Production Food Systems, Food Loss & Waste)Vacancy-Job Ref:ACTHFAO/1111/202178

Bangkok (Thailand)

JOB DESCRIPTION
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment and Better life, leaving no one behind.

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) based in Bangkok, Thailand coordinates the work of FAO across 46 member countries in the Asia and Pacific region. RAP is responsible for developing, overseeing, and implementing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with regionwide institutions and entities.
The Agriculture and Food Systems Group is responsible for FAO’s activities related to post production food systems and Food Loss and Waste (FLW). With the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the team is responsible for post-harvest utilization, logistics and marketing with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well-being of small scale producer/entrepreneurs; with particular emphasis on strategic decision-making and technological upgradation of the food system in the region. The major areas of focus are post-harvest operations, food value additional, food marketing and value chain development to enhance capacity development, digitalization, FLW analysis, small-scale entrepreneurship with a large portfolio of project and programmes in developing and transitional countries such as Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and The Philippines in the region. The Value Chain Development, Food Loss and Waste is under the Agriculture and Food Systems Group in FAO RAP.
The Young Professional Officer will also support and engage with other RAP Modules and participate in multidisciplinary activities including larger initiatives related to FLW and climate change.

Reporting Lines
The Young Professional Officer reports to the Senior Food System Officer.

Technical Focus
Support the development and implementation of programmes and activities related to the post-production food systems development and FLW in the region. Collaborate and support the development of strategies and methodologies to improve post-production food systems in the region with colleagues and stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector. Technical support and advice to countries in the region on food and post production including through field missions to countries in the region. Updating of information and data on the core regular programme and projects in the region.

Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions
• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents;
• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages;
• Provides technical support to various projects;
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc.;
• Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions
• Supports the technical delivery of the regular and field programme activities;
• Supports the roll out of the regional strategy for tackling FLW bottlenecks at country level;
• Provides technical support in the review and assessment of needs and technologies for sustainable and inclusive agro-food Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development;
• Contributes to the regular monitoring and updating of information and knowledge related to FLW and engagement of FAO RAP in regional and other initiatives;
• Provides support to FAO regional initiatives related to SDGs, Hand-in-Hand Initiatives, One Country One Product, FLW initiatives and digitalization;
• Supports the Resource Mobilization for RAP related to post production food systems;
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in food science, food technology/processing, food engineering or a related technical field.
• One year of relevant experience in in post-harvest operations or related fields.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in post-harvest, food value addition technologies and processes, agro-food industry MSME development, review and analysis of post-production related data and analysis, level of skills in MS office/excel and HTML.
• Knowledge in climate change, food security and economics is preferred.
• Knowledge of Food Science/Technology/Engineering, Agro-food technology, food value chain development and digitalization is considered an advantage.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.

Please click on the button below to Apply.