Banana Value Chain Specialist (Decent Work and Occupational Health & Safety)

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 Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The Team on Responsible Global Value Chains in EST facilitates the work of the World Banana Forum (WBF), a platform to support global collaboration between all stakeholders of the banana sector on challenges facing the industry. Working Group 3 on Labour Rights (WG03) of the WBF promotes decent work along global banana supply chains. The Banana Occupational Health and Safety Initiative (BOHESI) is a pilot project being implemented in banana producing countries with an unprecedented involvement of public and private sector actors, as well as civil society, at local and international levels.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will report directly to the Project Officer of the FAO’s WBF, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Economist/Team Leader of the Responsible Global Value Chains in EST.

Technical Focus

The Specialist supports and contributes to the monitoring, implementation and reporting of the Banana Occupational Health and Safety Initiative (BOHESI), while also supporting the broader decent work portfolio of the World Banana Forum’s Working Group 3 on Labour Rights (WG03).

Tasks and responsibilities

The generic functions for the profile include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support the operations of the World Banana Forum’s Working Group 3 on Labour Rights (WG03) to promote decent work, gender equality and freedom of association across global banana supply chains, including support in the implementation of its work plans, projects and activities, as well as related reporting;
• Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Banana Occupational Health and Safety Initiative (BOHESI), including capacity development activities and pilot projects in banana-producing countries;
• Provide technical support to the development and dissemination of occupational health and safety tools, manuals, training materials and guidance documents, including gender-sensitive approaches;
• Support Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programmes and capacity development activities for producers, workers, producer organizations and national institutions;
• Support coordination and technical backstopping of project implementation and field activities related to occupational health and safety, labour rights and socio-economic sustainability;
• Conduct research and analysis on policies, trends and best practices related to occupational health and safety, responsible business conduct, due diligence, grievance mechanisms, gender equity, living wages and living incomes;
• Perform any other technical and organizational tasks required by the WBF Secretariat.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Social Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, Labour Studies, International Relations, Public Policy or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience related fields.
• At least one year of relevant experience in occupational health and safety, labour rights, or capacity development;
• Working knowledge (Level C) of Spanish

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in occupational health and safety (OHS), labour rights, decent work, gender equity or public health programmes;
• Knowledge of international frameworks and standards related to occupational health and safety, labour rights, and due diligence;
• Experience in developing and delivering training materials and capacity development activities, including Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programmes;
• Knowledge of the fruit sector and FAO’s working environment is a plus
• Thorough attention to details
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with different stakeholders
• Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects independently and proactively
• Ability to write reports and minutes of meetings in a systematic manner
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of English is desirable
• Extent of experience in capacity development, network facilitation and technical assistance related to decent work.
• Work experience in UN agencies and/or major international organizations
• Work experience in the agricultural sector, including in the fresh produce industry