Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, August 09, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Food Systems Specialist (Policy and Programme) – FAO Uganda
Organizational Setting
In order to promote the use of a systemic approach and mobilize action towards food systems transformation to accelerate progress for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs, the first-ever United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) was held virtually as part of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on 23rd September 2021. The Summit was a culmination of an 18-month process in which 148 countries hosted Summit Dialogues to voice out the issues affecting and influencing food systems, and identify the transformational strategies for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable practices to prevent hunger and enhance nutrition. The Summit voiced catalytic and game-changing propositions for action that will spur national, regional and international partnerships and action to deliver equitably on all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through food systems transformation.
In support to that process, the Norway-funded FMM Sub-Programme “Governance Innovations for Sustainable Development of Food Systems” spearheaded by the Governance and Policy Support Unit in the Chief Economist Office, in close coordination with the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, provided assistance and financial support to three countries (notably Tanzania, Uganda and Indonesia) including to organize their National Food System Dialogues (NFSDs) that informed the UNFSS held on 23rd September 2021. Based on the outcomes of the NFSD and UNFSS recommendations, the programme is currently seeking to deepen its engagement in Uganda, in particular focusing on strengthening evidence to setting up an Agrifood Systems Transformation Agenda, building partnerships and innovating appropriate institutional mechanisms to support cross-sectoral programming and planning for sustainable development and transformation of food systems over the next decade (2022-2030).
The FMM Sub programme “Governance Innovations for Sustainable Development of Food Systems” seeks to enable more comprehensive and scalable multi-sectoral actions across three main pillars of food systems: sustainable food production, value creation and markets, and improved nutrition and diets – all within a comprehensive governance framework. The programme builds on on-going FAO and partner methodologies, initiatives, knowledge and competencies, including innovative agro-ecological, climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive practices and technologies, and capitalizes on the results and supports the follow-up of the National Food System Summit process.
The Programme adopts an open and transparent approach that utilizes multi-dimensional data to generate evidence-based analysis of crucial inter-sectoral nexuses and trade-offs and enable effective decision making of concerned food systems actors to enable and support food systems transformation.
The Food Systems Expert will provide support to the development of country-based processes for replicable and scalable food systems governance programmes in Uganda. In particular the Expert would support the assistance provided to strengthten the policy and institutional environment conducive to food systems transformation in line with existing commitments and the priorities identified through data and analysis as well as interventions identified in the national dialogues, and reflected in the Uganda Food System transformation pathway.

Reporting Lines
The Food System Specialist (Policy and Programme) reports to the FAO Country Representative in Uganda through the DFAOR and the Team Lead/Policy on the one hand, and to the Global Project Coordinator, and the technical team including experts in the Governance and Policy Support Unit and in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division in HQ.

Technical Focus
The FAO seeks to recruit an experienced Food Systems Expert (Policy and Programme) to support implementation of activities under FMM/GLO/150/MUL programme “Governance Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems” in Uganda. The desirable profile include demonstrated results-orientation and capacity for analysing complex issues, conducting effective policy dialogues , directing expert seminars or training courses, preparing documents for conferences and meetings, or writing reports on matters within the area of programme focus. The assignment will involve full-time functions. The Food Systems Expert contract is for 11 months (consultant) with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and conditional on the availability of the resources and needs of the Organization.
The incumbent is expected to complement the FAO’s ongoing policy assistance work, supporting the team already engaged in food systems transformation agenda (NFSD, political economy analysis and modelling, Rapid Food Systems Assessment, Legal Assessment, Modelling of cost-effective investments to support agrifood systems transformation, etc.). He will be instrumental in seeking coherence and convergence of existing policy frameworks, minimizing duplication, identifying trade-offs and mapping sectoral and stakeholders’ actions required to implement transformative food systems actions of existing programmes and plans.
Qualified non-recruited candidates would be included in the Governance and Policy support team roster and considered for future similar assignments.
In line with recently approved FAO Country Programming Framework for Uganda, and taking into consideration the outcomes of the National Food Systems Dialogues and the identified pathway for food systems transformation presented by the Government of Uganda at the UNFSS, the Expert, under the direct technical supervision of the Team Lead/Policy, and the overall supervision of the FMM/GLO/150/MUL coordinator , the expert shall assist the GoU to carry out a strategic policy and political economy analysis and modelling particularly looking at key overarching framework policies including the National Development Plan (NDP) III, the National programmes on Agro-Industrialization, Human Capital Development, and Community Mobilisation and Mind-set Change, the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) II 2020/2021-2024/2025 and the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the National Strategy Towards Zero Hunger 2021-2030.
As reflected in the documents consolidated during the Uganda’s NFSDs, the UNFSS and the National Pathway and Commitment to food systems transformation, there is a need for strengthening the evidence base and technical support to guide the transformation process, operationalizing commitments into action, and ensuring harmonization of relevant policies, as well as inter-institutional, inter-sectoral and multi-stakeholder coordination.
With priorities and duties assigned across different institutions, and regulated by unconnected legislations and policies, there is risk for food systems actions and recommendations emerged from the NFSDs and UNFSS to be dispersed among various ongoing national plans and strategic programmes. To address this gap, a strategic analysis is required to capitalize on a number of strategic policy, legal and institutional instruments across different sectors that address several issues related to food systems, food security and nutrition. Hence, it is of the essence that the strategic analysis identify, map, quantify and evaluate issues covered in existing frameworks and those that are outstanding to consider in the National Food Systems Transformation Plan and evaluate roles and potential contributions of concerned institutions and non-governmental partners. The strategic analysis shall also stress the need for better coherence and convergence towards SDGs and other GoU development strategic targets in line with the NDPs and Vision 2040.

Tasks and responsibilities
4.1. Food Systems Transformation and governance
• Ensure smooth follow up and support of policy and political economy analysis conducted in partnership with Kiel University under the project FMM/150/GLO/MUL.
• Support the consolidation of governance analysis, including stakeholder analysis and political analysis for identification of most effective policy mix supporting food systems transformation
• Provide technical assistance to the GoU, in particular to the OPM, MAAIF and NPA, to identifyy the most effective inter-institutional and multi-stakeholder coordination and participation mechanisms to support the Food systems Tranformation Agenda in Uganda.
• Provide technical support to the GoU’s Food Systems Strategic Analysis to consolidate policy actions under NDP III and other relevant policy frameworks in order to inform the Food Systems Transformation Plan (FSTP).
• Lead organization of validation workshops for endorsement and operationalization of results emerging from policy, governance and political economy analysis conducted under the project.
• Coordinate with FAOUG focal point for Hand in Hand Initiative to ensure linkages and complementarity between the two projects;
• Advise the GoU in harmonizing and coordinating existing policy frameworks on Food and Nutrition Security under the NDP III – including but not limited to Agro-industrialization programme, Regional Development Programmes, National Strategy towards Zero Hunger, Uganda Nutrition Action Plan II and the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Policy- seeking policy coherence and convergence towards reaching all 17 SDGs by 2030.
• Assist the GoU in the Development of a evidence-based Food Systems Transformation Plan aligned to national identified priorities and key policies and programmes including, the Food System Summit pathway, the National Development Plan (NDP III 2021-2025) and other relevant policy frameworks.
4.2. Advocacy and communication
• In collaboration with the Governance, Partnership and Food Systems officer, assist FAO to strengthen its advocacy work on FNS and Agrifood Systems Transformation. In particular, reaching out to the Uganda Parliamentary Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security (UPAN-FNS), the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, The Food Right Alliance (FRA), the CEPROHT, CONSENT and other CSO has to advance the Agenda of Agrifood System Transformation trough advocacy to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Uganda.
• Plan, organize and participate in meetings, capacity development activities and training workshops, including around institutional capacities to strengthen integrated action and implementation, and oversees the development of related materials and reports;
• Prepare reports to FAO, the donor and the National Government on progress achievement and issues related to project implementation; ensuring continuous communication and information flow between national stakeholders and HQ project coordinator and technical task force.
• Perform any other required duty related to project implementation.
• Perform any other duty as instructed by the FAOR

Minimum Requirements
• University degree in political sciences, policy and governance, political economy, development economics, agronomy, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture and natural resources management, social sciences, and related field or proven relevant experience in the above fields;
• Seven years of relevant experience in policy advice and analysis relating to food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development, and food system governance and political economy. Demonstrated experience in working on similar assignments in particular in African countries;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
• Extent and relevance of experience in political economy, governance, policy analysis and advise related to sustainable food systems, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture and rural development;
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies, multi-stakeholder alliances, and multidisciplinary teams in particular in Africa.
• Extent and relevance of experience in strengthening inclusive local and national food supply, in particular market and value chain development
• Conversant with agrifood systems transformation work
• Demonstrated experience in political economy analysis and support to governance and multi-stakeholder participation in policy making
• Demonstrated experience working on trade-policy related matters
• Very good understanding of Food Security, Nutrition and Health-policy related matters
• Demonstrated experience and carrying out policy Dialogue with Government and other relevant stakeholders
• Highly analytical and writing skills (Concept Note, Policy Brief and Project Proposals, etc.)
• Good understanding of International Development Architecture and Aid Modalities
• Demonstrated capacity in data use and analysis

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

Additional information
• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
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