Associate Programme Officer - Youth Employment in Agrifood Value Chains
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations works to achieve food security and promote sustainable agri-food systems globally. In Zambia, FAO supports the government in creating decent employment opportunities for youth within the agrifood sector, aligning with national policies. This role is situated within the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) Phase II, a program focused on empowering Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) as agents of change for climate resilience and improved livelihoods, with a specific emphasis on youth engagement.
Job Purpose
This assignment aims to consolidate and scale up successful initiatives from the Integrated Country Approach for boosting decent jobs for youth in the agrifood system (ICA-4) in Zambia. The UN Volunteer will contribute to capturing results and lessons learned from pilot projects, particularly in the soybean value chain, and support national partners in expanding proven models. The role involves feeding evidence into policy dialogues and new programs focused on youth employment in agrifood systems. The volunteer will gain practical experience in market systems development, youth employment strategies, and agrifood value chain dynamics within a UN country office setting.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer will support various aspects of youth employment in agrifood value chains under the supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). Key tasks include monitoring youth seed grower groups and documenting lessons learned for contract farming; assisting with the follow-up of an index-based crop insurance pilot for young farmers and their linkages with financial services; contributing to market analysis and business model profiling for youth-led enterprises in mechanization and processing; and supporting the integration of gender-transformative and disability-inclusive approaches. The role also involves assisting in preparing policy dialogue materials, supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities using a market systems approach, and contributing to knowledge management and communications through case studies and briefs. Additionally, the volunteer will help map funding opportunities, support event organization, and promote volunteerism.
Work Experience
A minimum of one month of relevant experience is required. Demonstrated interest and/or experience in youth employment, rural development, agrifood value chains, agribusiness, or market systems development is essential. Experience supporting development projects, including monitoring, evaluation, data analysis, knowledge management, or communications, is also required. Experience working with government, private sector partners, farmer organizations, or youth groups is considered an asset.
Skills
Core competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, and Respect for Diversity. Specific skills include community development, youth engagement, economics, poverty reduction, and livelihoods. Proficiency in research, analysis, report writing, data collection and analysis (e.g., Excel, KoboToolbox/ODK), and MS Office suite is necessary. Familiarity with gender and youth-sensitive approaches, participatory methods, stakeholder engagement, and organizing events is also beneficial.