Youth Specialist

Organizational Setting

In its Strategic Framework 2022–2031, The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified “youth” as an important group whose needs must be addressed across all of FAO’s programmatic work areas so to promote a more systematic mainstreaming and operationalization of these issues across all of FAO’s work. FAO in Iraq is committed to strengthening youth engagement in agriculture, food security, and climate-resilient livelihoods, in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) Office to enhance youth participation in sustainable agricultural development. 

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Iraq, the direct supervision of Gender Specialist, and in close coordination with the International Gender Specialist and Youth Focal Point, and the FAO Projects’ managers, the national youth assistant will perform the tasks indicated below.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will play a key role in integrating youth-focused considerations across FAO programs, targeting young people, including those with disabilities, to advance youth priorities within FAO’s mandate, and to support Youth Engagement and Visibility within FAO and the RC Office.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assist in the implementation and monitoring of FAO’s youth-focused initiatives, ensuring alignment with national priorities and FAO’s strategic objectives.
•    Support the development and implementation of communication and outreach strategies to enhance the visibility of youth engagement in FAO’s agricultural programs and alignment with the UNYAC, including the production of communication materials upon request and based on identified needs.
•    Provide administrative and logistical support for meetings, workshops, and consultations related to youth engagement, in particular for the UNYAC.
•    Document youth-focused initiatives and facilitate knowledge-sharing and management.
•    Assist in drafting briefing notes, presentations, and reports on youth-related activities and progress in FAO’s programs in collaboration with the UN RC Office under the UNYAC and PWD working group.
•    Liaise with FAO technical teams, the UN RC Office, government counterparts, and local organizations to support the implementation of youth-related initiatives and PWD inclusion.
•    Support FAO’s engagement with youth networks and advisory bodies to ensure that their voices are represented in policymaking processes.
•    Perform any other related duties, as required

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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in social science, business, science informatics or any other related field 
•    At least 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian& development sector, UN, NGOs, and civil society organizations 
•    Working knowledge of English and Arabic 
•    National of Iraq 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Proven record of experience in working with youth related issues, youth and grants, inclusion and pwd is an added assest
•    Proven record of experience and knowledge in UN system is an added assest 

Females, youth, and candidates with disability that doesn’t affect task performance are strongly encouraged to apply. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION