Junior Liaison Specialist

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 FAO Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium (LOB), based in Brussels and established in 1997, represents Organization vis-à-vis the European Union institutions and the Government of Belgium.

The Office facilitates the Organization’s communication and cooperation with these institutions and serves as liaison to the Organisation for African Caribbean and Pacific States, the Belgian Regional Governments and institutions, academia, private sector, NGOs and UN Agencies based in Belgium. It supports the mobilization of resources, disseminates FAO policy advice, and fosters the exchange of information in areas of priority related to the FAO mandate.

In 80% of their time, the Brussels-based Junior Liaison Specialist will provide support to the project UNJP/GLO/1314/UNJ “Boosting the contribution of diaspora to climate action in rural areas”. The global FAO-IOM joint project will be implemented in Morocco and Senegal, while also engaging the Moroccan and Senegalese diaspora based in Belgium.

For the remaining 20% of their time, the Junior Liaison Specialist will provide support to the liaison and advocacy efforts related to the project (UNJP/GLO/1420/EC) “Implementation of the ePhyto in Central Africa and in European Union Countries”.
This initiative, developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat in collaboration with the European Commission (EC), aims to implement the ePhyto Solution in Central African countries and ensure its interoperability with European Union systems.

The position is located in Brussels, Belgium

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Director of the FAO Liaison Office, under the direct supervision of the Liaison Officer, and in collaboration with the two project coordinators.

Technical Focus

• Support coordination and liaison activities for the FAO-IOM Project and the ePhyto Project, including with FAO HQ, IOM Brussels, FAO country offices, Belgian public institutions, civil society organizations and Brussels-based stakeholders.
• Contribute to project activities, meetings, diaspora engagement, migration-related events, and related knowledge-sharing, visibility and communication efforts, particularly in French where required.
• Support the Liaison Office’s broader communication and administrative work, including monthly newsletters, social media posts, office initiatives and other related duties as required.

Tasks and responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of the position are the following:

FAO-IOM Project:

• Support liaison and coordination between LOB, the project Secretariat at FAO HQ, the IOM Office Brussels and the FAO country offices in Morrocco and Senegal.
• Support liaison and coordination with Belgian public institutions, such as the Ministry of Development Cooperation, Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, and with civil society organizations and other stakeholders as required.
• Support the project activities in Belgium, in consultation with IOM Office Brussels, including by attending the meetings of the project steering committee, and the project activities with the diaspora
• Support the Liaison Office to participate in migration-related events taking place in Belgium

ePhyto Project:

• Support liaison and coordination between LOB, the project Secretariat at FAO HQ, and Brussels-based stakeholders.
• Contribute to related visibility and communication efforts.

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

• Support the preparation and dissemination of project-related communication materials, knowledge-sharing products and visibility content, including articles, social media posts, presentations and other outreach materials in particular in French, under close guidance of the LOB communications focal point

Other:

• Contribute to the LOB’s monthly newsletter and social media posts and initiatives.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

• Perform other related office duties as required.

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 social or political sciences, international relations, public relations or related field relevant to the work of the Organization; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For PSA.SBS: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in social or political sciences, international relations, public relations or related field relevant to the work of the Organization
• At least 1 (one) year of experience in liaison, coordination, international cooperation, stakeholder engagement, communication and/or project support, preferably in areas related to migration, diaspora engagement, plant health, food security, agriculture or sustainable development.
• Working knowledge (level C) of French and English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience with Migration Issues is considered a strong advantage.
• Experience with Plant Health Issues is considered a strong advantage.
• Experience in communication is considered an advantage.
• Proven reporting skills are considered an asset.

Selection Criteria

• Computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office)
• Able to work under pressure within multidisciplinary and diverse cultural background teams.
• Familiar with the Institutional structures of the European Union and Belgium.
• Proven interest in FAO’s mandate and multilateral cooperation

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT