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 Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF) at FAO provides strategic leadership to drive agrifood system transformation by supporting FAO HQ, decentralized offices, Members and partners in taking a systems approach to policy, programmes and projects, including through normative products, methods and tools; documentation and collective learning of systems approaches; and support for implementation at the national and subnational level. It also works to deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, including through the Joint FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programme and support to the strengthening of national food control systems.

The Agrifood Systems Transformation Unit (TU) in FAO’s ESF Division works to advance the adoption of a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation. Monitoring systems change (i.e. agrifood transformation) is an essential part of a systems approach. In the context of dynamic and interconnected agrifood systems, it enables implementers and partners see if agrifood systems are actually changing in the desirable direction, thereby supporting learning, adaptive management, accountability, and effective decision-making. Monitoring systems change provides early and actionable insights into how policies, programmes, and investments are influencing how systems function and are configured well before ultimate outcomes and impacts become visible. Systems learning processes are likewise essential to ensure what is learned through monitoring leads to adaptation and improvement of actions being undertaken in policy and practice.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will report directly to the ESF Director.

Technical Focus

This role will provide technical support or leadership on the design, development, and operationalization of approaches to monitor the adoption of a systems approach and systems change, and associated processes of adaptation through learning, for the Agrifood Systems Transformation Unit. This includes supporting methodological design, providing technical backstopping and quality assurance, convening and facilitating learning processes, and ensuring alignment with institutional results and reporting frameworks. In addition, the role will act as the technical focal point for internal and external partnerships and engagements on monitoring systems change.

Through this call for expression of interest, ESF aims at identifying specialists with experience in these areas of work, who will be endorsed on the roster.

Tasks and responsibilities

Design, monitoring and learning

•     In collaboration with project teams, design and implement approaches for monitoring the adoption of a systems approach and systems change into the TU’s ongoing and new work. This includes the selection, adaptation and operationalization of relevant methods and tools, providing technical backstopping and quality assurance throughout implementation of work to project teams and preparing reports on tested methods.
•     Establish and facilitate learning processes with implementing teams and partners in which data from monitoring efforts are used and interpreted to surface relevant insights and inform adaptive action during implementation 
•     Ensure alignment and complementarity between systems change monitoring efforts and institutionally required results and reporting frameworks.

Partnerships on monitoring systems change

•     Act as a technical focal point on the topic of monitoring systems change towards internal and external partners. 
•     Identify and engage with relevant technical partners, practitioners and experts that are active on this topic, and contribute to shaping longer-term partnerships and engagements including internal coordination on this topic.
•     Contribute to the design, delivery and follow-up of expert consultations, reference groups, technical exchanges and learning and capacity building events on monitoring systems change.
•     Be informed about relevant work undertaken by internal and external partners, synthesizing insights and emerging practices to inform FAO’s own work. 
•     Identify and develop opportunities for joint experimentation, testing and learning on monitoring systems change, with a view to advancing practical application and collective learning in collaboration with partners.

Documentation and communication

•     Document insights, lessons and emerging practices from the application of monitoring systems change and related learning and adaptation processes.

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

•     In collaboration with the senior communications expert and other team members, contribute to the development of stories of change, case studies and other products that illustrate the process of systems change over time based on data collected focused on monitoring systems change

FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en 
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia  
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

•     Prepare clear and accessible technical notes, briefs and other (knowledge) products for different audiences demonstrating the value of monitoring systems change for different purposes

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 public policy, public administration, social science, political science, international development, economics, sociology, data science, or another relevant field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in public policy, public administration, social science, political science, international development, economics, sociology, data science, or another relevant field
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience working on complex programme, systems-level or policy monitoring, learning or evaluation using qualitative research methods with a systems lens.
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience with setting up and implementing monitoring frameworks in project and/or policy contexts with a systems lens 
•     Knowledge and experience with applying learning processes in project and/or policy contexts with a systems lens
•     Deep understanding of a systems approach in agrifood systems contexts

Selection Criteria

•     Degree and extent of demonstrated experience in monitoring and/or evaluation and learning in programme and/or policy contexts with a systems lens
•     Degree and extent of depth of methodological expertise on monitoring, learning and/or evaluation of systems change.
•     Degree and extent of familiarity and experience of working on agrifood systems with a systems approach
•     Degree and extent of country-level experience of monitoring systems change
•     Knowledge of a second FAO language, in particular Spanish or French, is considered an asset. 
•     Previous experience of engagement with international issues and organizations and/or working in the development sector/ UN system.