: 18/Feb/2026, 12:59:00 AM
: Non-staff opportunities
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Social Protection is a critical pillar for the acceleration of progress in the fight against hunger, food insecurity and rural poverty. FAO is implementing the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection Phase III which aims to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia in closing strategic gaps in the provision of social protection while ensuring coherent policies and programmes that are interoperable and integrate critical mainstreaming agendas.
Reporting Lines
The Social Protection Specialist will work under the overall supervision of FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (programmes) and in close collaboration with the relevant staff in FAO Zambia and the counterpart entities, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will provide technical, operational and programme management support for the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection Phase III. The role will support the National Coordinator in implementation, monitoring and reporting. The role will facilitate collaboration among the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Agriculture and UN implementing Partners Agencies.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support and contribute to planning, coordination and monitoring of activities related to the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection.
• Participate in partnership engagements with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society, and other UN agencies to support sustained commitment towards extending social protection to rural communities.
• Support the development of strategic documents through consultations with the key stakeholders in the agriculture and social protection sector.
• Contribute to the formulation and preparation of concept notes, work plans and reports.
• Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure collaboration, and monitoring of ongoing social protection projects and other projects as needed
• Participate in implementation, monitoring and review of programme activities ensuring all operational activities are in line with the work plan, the budget and the project document and this will include review of outputs and expenditures while taking corrective action in consultation with the appropriate officer.
• Facilitate recording and processing requests for FAO’s support as received from Government, donors or other organizations.
• Accompany field visits to project sites and/or accompany project managers and/or experts in their meetings with donors and government officials, as requested.
• Track budget expenditures for project activities and flag any variances to the appropriate officer.
• Perform any other assigned task.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in development studies, sociology or social work or any field related to the FAO mandate
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in planning, coordination and administration support, and working with projects in the area of social protection and sustainable livelihoods
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Zambia
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional skills
• Proven skills in problem solving, relationship management,
• Experience with a UN Agency is an added advantage
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills and commitment to discretion and confidentiality
• Familiarity with UN human resource administrative procedures and systems
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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