Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure)

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) leads FAO's work on land tenure, social protection, gender equality, and rural development. The Land Tenure Team promotes equitable and secure access to land and natural resources, advocating for the tenure rights of the poor and marginalized. This position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Job Purpose

The Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure) will support FAO's initiatives in national and local inclusive land reform processes. This involves building the capacity of stakeholders, including women, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and small farmers, based on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT). The role also includes knowledge management to integrate VGGT principles into environmental, poverty eradication, and rural development programs. Key outcomes will focus on strengthening inclusive land reform through enhanced capacity building and knowledge management, contributing to programme projects, products, and services.

Responsibilities

The Junior Professional Officer (Land Tenure) will support the Land Tenure Team's work plan, focusing on knowledge management and capacity building aligned with the VGGT. This includes securing tenure rights for vulnerable groups and promoting VGGT-based policies. The role involves developing high-quality training materials and modules, providing technical support for training design and implementation at various levels, and documenting good practices, lessons learned, and success stories. Additionally, the officer will liaise with FAO country offices and partners to disseminate information and communication products, contributing to the overall goals of inclusive land reform and sustainable agrifood systems.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of relevant experience in rural development is required, encompassing knowledge management, capacity building, and data analysis. Experience in land tenure is desired. Work in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is also desirable.

Skills

Key skills include knowledge management, capacity building, data analysis, and technical writing. The ability to develop training materials and modules, provide technical support for training implementation, and document best practices is essential. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are needed for liaising with country offices and partners. Experience in food security, agriculture, rural development, or natural resource management is beneficial. Proficiency in English and at least one other FAO official language is required.

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