Organizational Setting

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

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO’s innovative spirit, including innovation of approaches and cooperation models. The Office identifies, strengthens and complements priority areas for collective action, ensures that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units and supports the development of transformative partnerships. OIN’s ATIO unit is responsible for leading the ATIO initiative.

The Office of Innovation is responsible for the delivery of the Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO), a high-level initiative delivering a biennial global report and a federated Knowledge Base on agrifood technologies and innovations.

The ATIO Knowledge Base (KB) includes a dedicated grassroots innovation module to identify, document and scale farmer-led and community-driven innovations. The Innovation Specialist (Grassroots Innovation) will support the development, testing and operationalization of the grassroots component of the ATIO Knowledge Base and contribute to the co-development of methodologies for grassroots innovation identification and documentation.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports directly to the lead and co-lead of ATIO Initiative and Technical Officer dealing with the grassroots component.  

Technical Focus

Support the development and operationalization of the grassroots innovation component of the Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) Knowledge Base, including the identification, documentation and validation of farmer-led and community-driven innovations. This includes supporting participatory processes with grassroots stakeholders and intermediary organizations, contributing to the co-development of methodologies for grassroots innovation inclusion, and strengthening the documentation, analysis and dissemination of grassroots innovations within the ATIO Knowledge Base.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will:

•     Support the identification, documentation and validation of grassroots innovations in pilot countries, in close collaboration with intermediary organizations (e.g. farmers’ organizations and technical partners).
•     Assist in the co-development, testing and refinement of methodologies and mechanisms for the inclusion of grassroots innovations in the ATIO Knowledge Base, ensuring participatory engagement of local actors and attention to gender, youth, women and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems.
•     Facilitate and document co-design and reflection workshops with grassroots stakeholders and partner organizations.
•     Contribute to the organization and delivery of training and peer-learning sessions for intermediary organizations on grassroots innovation identification and use of the ATIO Knowledge Base.
•     Support the upload, review and quality assurance of validated grassroots innovations in the ATIO Knowledge Base using the dedicated grassroots module.
•     Assist in the preparation of reports, training materials and online tutorials related to grassroots innovation methodologies and operational guidance.
•     Contribute to the monitoring and analysis of grassroots innovation data and support the continuous improvement of the grassroots module and related processes.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Development studies, Innovation Management, Behavioural Science, Anthropology, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or related fields. Consultants with a Bachelor's degree require two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in development studies, Agrifood Innovation, Innovation Management, Behavioural Science, Anthropology, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or related fields.
•     Two (2) years of relevant experience in grassroots processes, innovation management/processes, participatory research, or community engagement.  
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) is desired.  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience facilitating participatory processes, managing partnerships with grassroots stakeholders and supporting community engagement initiatives.
•     Experience documenting and validating grassroots innovation processes and local knowledge systems.
•     Ability to facilitate participatory workshops, training sessions and stakeholder dialogues.
•     Familiarity with participatory methodologies such as co-design, human-centred approaches and agile capacity development approaches.
•     Ability to contextualize and adapt information, tools and processes for diverse local contexts.
•     Familiarity with digital knowledge platforms, innovation databases or knowledge management systems is an asset.
•     Experience working in international or multi-cultural environments is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

•     Extent and relevance of experience working with local communities, farmers’ organizations or grassroots innovation networks.
•     Demonstrated experience supporting participatory workshops, training activities or peer-learning initiatives.
•     Experience contributing to the documentation, analysis or dissemination of grassroots innovations or local knowledge.
•     Experience working with innovation, knowledge management or community-based development initiatives in agrifood systems or rural development contexts.