Organizational Setting

The Food Systems Summit (hereinafter FSS), held during the 2021 UN General Assembly, set the stage for global food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Under the leadership of the Secretary-General, the FSS made it clear that transformative action in food systems is fundamental to achieving the SDGs. As a follow up to the Summit, the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) has committed the UN system to establish a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (hereafter the Hub) to support countries implementing food system transformation pathways towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The hub is hosted by FAO in Rome on behalf of the UN System. In the same way, the UNSG committed in his Chair Summary and Statement of Action on the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit (UN FSS) to convene "a global stocktaking meeting every two years to review progress in implementing the outcomes of this process and its contributions to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda."

In 2023, the first stocktaking moment - UNFSS 2 - gathered more than 3300 in-person participants, including 21 Heads of States/Governments, 126 Minister level delegates (94 Ministers and 32 Deputies), close to 100 Food Systems National Convenors, 1900 government officials, more than 500 non-state actors and close to 800 representatives from the UN and other international organizations. In convening such a large and diverse audience, the UNFSS 2 showcased global commitment to food systems transformation and the need for collaborative solutions.

The UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Accelerated Food Systems Transformation released at the 1st UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS 2) in July 2023 emphasizing, inter alia, the need to “align the implementation of national food systems transformation pathways with the continuous updates of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) for climate action”.

In the same way, The COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, endorsed by the heads of 159 Member States stressing, inter alia, that “any path to fully achieving the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement must include agriculture and food systems” and affirming that “agriculture and food systems must urgently adapt and transform in order to respond to the imperatives of climate change”.

To support these calls, the Hub has launched the Convergence Initiative which aims to support national efforts to advance the alignment between the “food systems transformation (FST)” and “climate action (CA)” agendas to enable governments and stakeholders at the national level to strengthen synergetic action that will simultaneously support the achievement of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.

The implementation at the national level of the Convergence Initiative will kick off with the organization of national inception workshops in pilot countries from various UN regions. The national inception workshops will be inclusive of a first national dialogue and will be supported by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the agencies supporting the Hub and have expertise on food systems transformations and climate action as per each county composition of the UNCT. Following the national inception workshop and the establishment of a national Convergence Group, subsequent dialogues will be organized at the country level as per the work plan to be outlined in the inception workshop and with the ultimate objective to develop Convergence Action Blueprints¹.  

Armenia is a landlocked, upper-middle-income country characterized by mountainous terrain and an economy in which agriculture plays a strategic role in food security, employment, and rural livelihoods. Despite recent economic growth, the agricultural sector faces persistent structural challenges, including fragmented land holdings, underutilized agricultural land (estimated at more than one-third of total arable land), limited irrigation infrastructure, and low productivity. Rural regions experience high levels of depopulation and aging demographics, reflecting migration trends driven by limited economic opportunities. In response, the Government has initiated major policy instruments such as the State Support Programme for Agriculture and the Strategy for the Development of the Food Security System and Action Plan 2023–2026. These aim to modernize the sector, improve food quality and safety, strengthen national self-sufficiency, and promote digital and innovative agricultural solutions. Agriculture is considered not only an economic priority but a national security and social stability concern.
At the same time, Armenia is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, water scarcity, and increased frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, hailstorms, and landslides. These climate-related risks are directly impacting agricultural productivity, rural incomes, and national food security. The Government’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) identify agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems as priority areas for adaptation and resilience-building. Biodiversity, a vital asset for Armenia’s food systems and ecological resilience, is under threat due to land degradation, monoculture farming practices, and climate impacts. This makes an integrated approach, linking food systems transformation, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation, essential for sustaining Armenia’s long-term development, rural competitiveness, and compliance with international climate and environmental commitments.

Reporting Lines

The Food Systems and Climate Action data analysis Specialist will report to the Senior Programme Coordinator of the Hub, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and the Regional Focal Point.

Technical Focus

The specialist will analyze the current state of convergence between the Food Systems Transformation (FST) and Climate Action (CA) agendas. The specialist will assess existing data to evaluate how well these two areas are aligned at the national level, identifying gaps, synergies, and opportunities for improvement. By providing a clear, data-driven picture of the present alignment, the specialist will support governments and stakeholders in understanding the current landscape, setting the stage for more informed decision-making and future strategic planning.

The specialist will develop a background analysis document of the current state of the convergence at the country level and will propose a draft of the Convergence Action Blueprint .

The position is for a Food Systems and Climate Action Data Analysis Specialist who will:
●    Analyze the current state of convergence between Food Systems Transformation (FST) and Climate Action (CA) agendas in Armenia
●    Develop a background analysis document detailing the convergence between FST and CA
●    Draft a Convergence Action Blueprint (CAB) aligning food systems transformation with climate action initiatives

Tasks and responsibilities

Document Review:

Data Collection and Analysis:

●    Gather and analyze data on the current state of food systems and climate action at the national level.
●    Identify key areas of convergence and divergence between Food Systems Transformation (FST) and Climate Action (CA) agendas.
●    Thoroughly analyze Armenia’s revised food systems pathway and sector-specific climate change policy to identify current alignment levels and gaps.
●    Assess how Armenia’s existing documents can be effectively leveraged to create the Convergence Action Blueprint, focusing on areas where food systems and climate actions already overlap.

Background Analysis Document:

●    Prepare a comprehensive background analysis document that outlines the current alignment between FST and CA at the country level.
●    Highlight existing synergies, gaps, and opportunities for improved alignment.

Convergence Action Blueprint Drafting:

●    Develop a draft of the Convergence Action Blueprint, providing strategic recommendations for enhancing the integration of FST and CA.
●    Ensure the blueprint aligns with national priorities and supports the achievement of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Workshop Preparation:

●    Develop materials for the upcoming workshop that build on Armenia’s existing work rather than introducing entirely new concepts.
●    Work backward from the tentative workshop dates to ensure all preparatory analysis and draft documents are ready for stakeholder review before the workshop.
●    Present findings and participate in workshop facilitation

Deliverables

●    A comprehensive Background Analysis Document that builds upon Armenia’s existing food systems pathway and climate policy framework 
●      A draft Convergence Action Blueprint that identifies concrete actions for enhancing synergies between food systems transformation and climate action in Armenia
●     A workshop facilitation plan and relevant materials tailored to Armenia’s context, support with the co-facilitation during the workshop and workshop report

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

●    University degree in sustainable development, economics, law, social studies, or other areas related to UN FS Coordination Hub work. 
●    At least 5 years of relevant experience in collection and data analysis, mainly in the areas of national policies related to food systems, food security, climate action, climate adaptation, and mitigation, in the country of the assignment. 
●    Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

●    Familiarity with the work of UN FS Coordination Hub or other multilateral organizations 
●    Knowledge of the content of global agendas such as the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2063. 
●    Excellent writing skills, excellent interpersonal skills with liaising with different stakeholders and presenting ideas and exchanges 

¹The Convergence Action Blueprint (CAB) serves as a practical framework designed to facilitate synergies between food systems transformation (FST) and climate action (CA). It provides a structured approach for countries to ideate and implement strategic actions that align with both agendas while promoting sustainable development