Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is FAO’s hub to ensure rights-based and sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind. We build transformative partnerships and proactively engage with key actors I, including family farmers, Indigenous Peoples, parliamentarians, academia, research institutions, UN organizations and civil society. We drive a people-centered approach through technical support, capacity development, policy advice and inclusive dialogue.

Within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) provides technical support to Indigenous Peoples and ensures the implementation of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples at FAO corporate level by liaising with regional and country focal points as well as with other technical divisions in FAO. PSUI works with Indigenous Peoples towards achieving FAO's mandate of freeing the world from hunger and malnutrition, under the overarching frameworks of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples Unit has three main objectives: 1. Implement the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples; 2. Provide technical advice to other FAO technical divisions in integrating Indigenous Peoples’ issues into their work; 3. Advocate, Influence key policy processes and open spaces of dialogue between decision makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAO’s mandate.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and ILO Convention 169.

FPIC is a fundamental right of Indigenous Peoples, supporting their participation in decisions that affect their rights, resources, and territories. It is integral to ensuring inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable outcomes in all FAO activities

This open call aims to establish a global roster of FPIC experts in headquarters and the field who can support the implementation of FPIC across all FAO projects and programmes. The experts will contribute to capacity-building, project design and implementation, policy development, and monitoring frameworks in accordance with the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal People, FAO’s FPIC Manual, FPIC Technical Guide, and relevant safeguards, with a focus on implementation for FAO related projects and programmes.

FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) consultants play a critical role in advancing the FAO's work by providing specialized expertise across key technical domains such as legal frameworks, participatory methodologies, grievance mechanisms, gender-sensitive approaches, and digital tools for documentation. Their contributions enhance the FAO’s capacity to implement rights-based approaches in diverse contexts, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples’ voices are meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes. This is especially relevant across FAO’s technical areas (such as land tenure, forestry, and climate change) where FPIC, as a pillar of work under the coordination of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, as a cornerstone of equitable and sustainable development efforts.

In that sense, FPIC specialists bring added value beyond the scope of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, supporting cross-sectoral work and responding to the growing organization-wide demand for practical, context-specific guidance on FPIC implementation in the field. By bridging abstract policy frameworks with applied methodologies, FPIC expertise helps ensure consistency and coherence across FAO’s work on Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems.

PSUI works with Indigenous Peoples within the seven pillars of work and two focus areas, providing technical insights into the work of FAO across technical divisions.

The second pillar refers to the right of Indigenous Peoples to a Free, Prior and Informed consent, in which the incumbent will be supporting in enhancing FAO’s capacity to implement FPIC in any project or programme design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation that involves or affect Indigenous Peoples,

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the PSUI Unit and the Technical Officer of FPIC, in close collaboration with the members of the Indigenous Peoples Unit, other Units within PSU, and in coordination with other FAO technical units. If/when activities are carried out at country level, the incumbent will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional office.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide specialized technical support for the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) across FAO projects and programmes at headquarters, regional and country levels. The technical focus will include:

•     Supporting the practical implementation of FPIC throughout the FAO project cycle, including project identification, formulation, appraisal, implementation, supervision, monitoring, evaluation and closure.
•     Providing technical advice to FAO, in coordination with the Indigenous Peoples Unit, on the application of FPIC in projects and programmes that may directly or indirectly affect Indigenous Peoples.
•     Support in the reviewing of project documents, environmental and social assessments, stakeholder engagement plans and implementation arrangements to ensure that FPIC requirements are adequately identified, planned, budgeted and implemented.
•     Supporting the delivery of technical assistance to FAO personnel, government counterparts, implementing partners and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations on FPIC standards and methodologies.
•     Ensuring consistency with UNDRIP, ILO Convention No. 169, the FAO Policy on Indigenous Peoples, FAO’s environmental and social safeguards, the FAO FPIC Manual and other applicable international and national frameworks.

Tasks and responsibilities

Selected incumbents may be called upon to support FAO activities including:

•     Deliver FPIC training sessions (virtual and in-person) at HQ, regional, and national levels.
•     Support the integration of FPIC into the FAO project cycle (including GEF and GCF projects), while ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous women, youth, elders and persons with disabilities.
•     Advise on FPIC-related content in project design, review, and implementation, particularly for Indigenous Peoples-focused initiatives and/or in FAO projects and programmes involving directly and indirectly Indigenous Peoples.
•     Assist with the development of regional FPIC focal point networks.
•     Design culturally appropriate consultation protocols.
•     Support participatory dispute resolution.
•     Advise on grievance mechanisms in project contexts.

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 anthropology, development studies, human rights, environmental sciences, or related 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 anthropology, development studies, human rights, environmental sciences, or related field
•     At least three (3) years of relevant experience in the application of FPIC with Indigenous Peoples.
•     Working knowledge of English (level C)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•     Experience in FPIC with Indigenous Peoples is a key requisite
•     Demonstrated expertise in the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with Indigenous Peoples, as well as with institutions and organizations involved in policy and project implementation.
•     Experience designing and facilitating culturally appropriate FPIC processes, including participatory methods, grievance mechanisms, and integration into project cycles.
•     Knowledge of international and national legal frameworks on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and FPIC, and ability to support multi-stakeholder dialogue and capacity development.
•     Experience with FPIC in post-conflict or emergency contexts.
•     Use of digital and geospatial tools in participatory work.
•     Involvement in policy development or legislative processes related to FPIC.

Selection criteria

•     At least one additional UN language is highly desirable.
•     Proven field-based work, including engagement with Indigenous Peoples and understanding of FPIC legal, cultural, and operational dimensions.
•     Strong analytical, facilitation, and training skills.