Fruit and Vegetable Report Specialists

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner so as to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The positions are located in the Rural and Urban Crop and Mechanization Systems (NSPLD), one of the six teams in the Division. NSPLD leads the efforts to promote sustainable crop production and diversification, improving people’s nutrition, livelihoods and income. This involves adopting sustainable production practices, developing policies to improve crop production (including underutilized crops), strengthening rural-urban linkages, and adopting sustainable mechanization technologies and strategies.

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will be under the supervision of the Agricultural Officer (Cropping Systems Agronomist) within the NSPLD team.

Technical Focus 

FAO is preparing a global technical report on fruit and vegetable (F&V) systems. The report will synthesize the latest evidence on F&V production, trade, and nutrition, identify key constraints and opportunities, and provide practical, technical and policy-relevant guidance to support more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient F&V systems globally.

Two profiles/candidates are being sought to support this effort:

•    A Technical Report Coordinator (B-level), who will manage the end-to-end process for the preparation of the global technical F&V report, ensuring that the report and its associated outputs are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. 
•    A Research Specialist (C-level), who will provide analytical, operational and logistical support to the preparation of the technical report. 

Tasks and responsibilities

In particular, the Technical Report Coordinator (B-level) will be responsible for:

•    Coordinating inputs from various technical divisions, teams and experts (internal and external).
•    Mobilizing the Technical Steering Committee and managing their engagement.
•    Steering the inception phase, including finalizing the annotated outline and detailed work plan.
•    Leading and monitoring secondary data collection and analysis, case-study development, expert consultations.
•    Planning, organizing and implementing regional focus group discussions.
•    Overseeing drafting, peer review, technical editing, layout, translation and digital publication processes.
•    Coordinating production of five regional policy briefs and an online data repository.
•    Supervising planning arrangements for the global launch event of report.

In particular, the Research Specialist (C-level) will be responsible for:
•    Conducting extensive desk research relevant to F&V production and key report focal areas.
•    Analysing key secondary datasets (FAOSTAT, FAOLEX partner databases, etc…) and prepare descriptive statistics, graphs and charts.
•    Assisting in identifying, documenting and drafting illustrative case studies, liaising with regional focal points.
•    Assisting in organizing, conducting and documenting virtual expert consultations and focus group discussions.
•    Supporting the organization of the Technical Steering Committee (TSC) meetings and expert consultations.
•    Assisting with referencing, fact-checking, tables/figure formatting and bibliographic accuracy.
•    Maintaining the project’s online collaboration space and draft content for the digital data repository.
•    Supporting the organization of the launch event, including coordinating logistics and agenda drafting.

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.
FAO Statistics and Data Quality Assurance Framework (https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/467e9cc0-0b77-4741-99d5-7f044bac7f13/content) and relevant corporate data and statistical standards.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

For the Technical Report Coordinator 

•    Master’s degree (or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, natural resources management or a closely related field.
•    At least five years of relevant experience in horticultural production, as well as fruit and vegetable markets and trade.
•    Working knowledge of English (proficient – level C). 

 For the Research Specialist:
•    Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, natural resources management or a closely related field
•    At least one year of relevant experience with desk research and analytical work, preferably related to fruit and vegetables or horticultural systems more broadly. 
•    Working knowledge of English (proficient – level C) 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Practical work experience in fruit and vegetable sector, including production, marketing and trade.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in analysis and research related to the production of technical reports.
•    Extent and relevance of experience with secondary research and data analytics.
•    Extent and relevant of experience with value chain development, food systems and market systems development.
•    Familiarity with international organizations, regional entities, national governments and development agencies.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable crop production, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
•    Proficiency with statistical/analytical software (e.g: R, SAS, Stata, SPSS or equivalent).

Selection criteria

•    Knowledge of a second FAO language is a strong asset.

•    For the Technical Report Coordinator, the incumbent should also be an experienced report writer, with a proven track-record in coordinating multi-disciplinary efforts.
•    Strong organizational and analytical skills, writing and editing abilities, and capacity to communicate effectively and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.

•    For the Research Specialist, foundational skills in desk research and analysis, data analytics, and familiarity with processes related to report writing.