Young Professional Officer

Job Posting: 23/Sep/2026

Closure Date: 14/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : OIN

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2008723

CCOG Code : 1A02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• 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 Members and persons 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework 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.

Organizational Setting

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the Organization's work, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. Reporting to the Office of the Chief Scientist, OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration among FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Community-driven Innovation) reports to the Innovation Officer (Farmer Field Schools) and works in close collaboration with other relevant OIN teams and units across FAO.

Technical Focus

Innovation in agrifood systems with emphasis on community-driven and grassroots innovation, including co-creation processes, multi-actor learning, and the generation of evidence and knowledge to support agrifood systems transformation including through agroecology.

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 identification, documentation and analysis of grassroots innovations, farmer innovation and community-driven innovation processes in particular on agroecology, and development of related methodologies.
• Supports design and implementation of community-driven, grassroots and frugal innovation activities in agrifood-systems and development of related methodologies, including promoting innovation through Farmer Field Schools.
• Provides support to the Global Farmer Field School Platform, including coordination, knowledge management and communication to highlight innovations emerging in, from and through FFS.
• Contributes to co-development and facilitation of multi