Call for Expression of Interest –Internship Programme for the World Food Forum (WFF)

Organizational Settings

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 an internship position 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

The intern will report to an assigned supervisor.

Technical Focus 

The intern will be assigned to a field relevant to the activities and events of the World Food Forum.

Tasks and responsibilities

The intern will perform the functions specified in the Terms of Reference (TOR) prepared by the hiring office. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

•    Enrolled in an under-graduate, graduate degree programme in a “bona fide” educational institution at the time of application or recent graduate. 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/. 
•    Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO. 
•    Working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish). Knowledge of a second FAO language will be considered an asset. 
•    Be nationals of FAO Members. 
•    Candidates should be aged between 21 and 30. 
•    Candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

Relevant working experience in one of the below listed fields would be a strong asset:

•     Thematic and academic support to policy dialogues
•     Innovation
•     Partnership/Fundraising
•     Marketing, Communications and Outreach
•     Cultural activities (film, music, culinary, art)
•     Event Management
•     Other