Organizational Setting
The UN Joint SDG Fund (the Fund) is the UN’s flagship global financing mechanism, designed to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through two strategic objectives: Strengthening the UN Development System to be fit for purpose; and catalysing systemic transitions at country level by promoting integrated policy and financing solutions across sectors and organizations.
The Fund operates as an inter-agency platform for strategic financing, incentivizing transformative policy shifts and mobilizing investments that drive SDG acceleration at national and sub-national levels.
In Nigeria, the Fund focuses on four key result areas implemented jointly by the three Rome-based Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP) and UNICEF. As lead agency for the Joint Programme (JP), FAO coordinates Result 1: Strengthened governance of the National Food System Transformation Support Facility (NFSTSF) to enhance leadership and coordination of the food systems transformation agenda at federal, state, and LGA levels.
FAO also plays a cross-cutting role across other result areas, which include Increasing production, sales, and income for smallholder farmers through digital technologies; Reducing post-harvest losses using business-to-business (B2B) models and innovative technologies for market linkages; and Improving knowledge and behaviours on nutrition and healthy diets among women, adolescents, children, and smallholder farmers.
The Food Security Policy Analyst with a focus on the food systems and SDGs will play a crucial role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals agenda in Nigeria. The consultant will support the government of Nigeria in the coordination of national efforts towards improved food systems through policy analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
The incumbent will directly contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies that enhance the resilience and sustainability of Nigeria’s agri-food systems. This role will require close collaboration with array of stakeholders including donor agencies, international organizations, civil society, and the private sectors.
Reporting Lines
Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria, the consultant will directly report to Programme officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with the functional day to day supervisory by the National Convener for Food Systems in Nigeria Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Technical Focus
To strengthen governance of the National Food System Transformation Support Facility (NFSTSF) for enhanced leadership and coordination for food system transformation agenda at federal and state levels.
Tasks and responsibilities
Technical support to the National Food System Transformation Support Facility – NFSTSF in Nigeria
• The incumbent will support the office of the national FS convener to strengthen sub-national and national coordination, through technical the working group, national FS technical task team and steering committee in close collaboration with the United Nation lead agencies on FS transition acceleration
• Support in building institutional alignment with the technical team of the Presidential Food System Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to align and harmonize strategic updates and reports on national food systems coordination. Establish information sharing mechanism
• Support the National Convener to organize and coordinate the zonal food system stock-take, state levels monitoring of food systems implementation and interministerial review meetings
• Support the National Convener to strengthen and operationalize interministerial food systems coordination platforms at state levels
Strengthen inter-ministerial, multistakeholder national coordination and drive the food system transformation
• Support the National Convener’s office to organize and facilitate periodic review meetings/workshop to track the food systems pathways implementation in the country (at federal and state levels)
• Support the National Food Systems Convenors office in the tracking and updating the available dashboards on the contribution to the national food systems pathways programme priority areas implementation by partners (FAO, IFAD, WFP, UNICEF, GAIN, GIZ, EU, World Bank, BMGF, IITA, AGRA etc.)
• Support the National Food Systems Convenors office in the institutionalization and operationalization of the tracking of food system funding in Nigeria using the Financing for Food Systems (3FS) framework (with support from FAO, IFAD, WFP and the World Bank)
• Establish a tracking mechanism/dashboard for monitoring the progress of food systems pathways both at government and partners levels
• Support the review and update of the National Food Systems partner mapping matrix and contribute to regular review
Support the development of a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for strengthening food systems coordination at federal, state levels
• Support the development of Terms of Reference and budget for consultive workshop on the development of state level Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food systems coordination
• Draft and present SOPs for technical review by all relevant stakeholders
• Draft a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the SOPs at various state levels
• Any other duties as assigned
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, policy, economics, Agri-food Systems, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in development sector.
• Woking Knowledge of English
• A national of Nigeria
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Working knowledge of agrifood systems transformation initiatives in developing countries preferably Nigeria
• Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct food security/food systems analysis/assessments
• Proficiency in project management cycle, including concept-ideas, formulation, implementation, and MEAL
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective coordination and capacity building
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software
