Agrifood Systems Associate Officer at FAO Tanzania

Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Host Entity: FAO TZA
Position: Agrifood Systems Associate Officer
Assignment Country: United Republic of Tanzania
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam
Work Location: On UN Premises
Modality: Onsite
Assignment Type: International
Volunteer Category: Associate UCoS from Apr 2026
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Number of Assignments: 1
Funding: Fully Funded
Expected Start Date: 15 December 2026
Duration: 6 Months
Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 2, Zero Hunger
Advertisement End Date: 14 October 2026 at 03:00

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to achieve a world free from hunger and malnutrition by transforming agrifood systems, so they become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's vision is a sustainable and food-secure world for all.

FAO's mission is to support countries in:

• Eradicating hunger, food insecurity, and all forms of malnutrition.
• Improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Reducing rural poverty.
• Creating inclusive and resilient food systems.
• Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources for current and future generations.

FAO'S AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS OBJECTIVES

FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-2031 focuses on transforming agrifood systems through the Four Betters approach:

1. Better Production

Promote sustainable and efficient agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food value chains while increasing productivity and supporting small-scale producers.

2. Better Nutrition

End hunger and improve food security by ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and affordable diets for all people.

3. Better Environment

Protect ecosystems, biodiversity, land, water, and climate through sustainable agricultural practices and environmentally responsible food systems.

4. Better Life

Reduce inequalities, create decent rural livelihoods, promote economic growth, and improve the wellbeing of communities, especially vulnerable populations, while leaving no one behind.

CONTEXT

The Agrifood Systems assignment is implemented within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s Strategic Framework 2022-2031, which seeks to transform agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

The assignment contributes directly to FAO's vision of achieving a world free from hunger and malnutrition while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty reduction, food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and rural development.

The role is situated in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment that supports the design, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of programmes and projects aimed at strengthening agrifood systems.

The successful candidate will contribute to initiatives that improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security and nutrition, promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen value chains, and support rural livelihoods.

The assignment typically involves close collaboration with technical specialists, programme teams, government counterparts, development partners, research institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and farming communities.

Working within a diverse and international team, the incumbent will support evidence-based planning, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, knowledge sharing, and programme delivery to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

This opportunity offers candidates the chance to contribute to high-impact development work, engage with key national and international stakeholders, and gain experience in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, including food insecurity, climate change, rural poverty, and sustainable natural resource management.

Through their work, candidates will help advance FAO's Four Betters agenda: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, ensuring that no one is left behind.

TASK DESCRIPTION

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative responsible for Programmes, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of agrifood systems projects and activities.
• Assist with the preparation of work plans, budgets, progress reports, concept notes, and project documentation.
• Contribute to the collection, compilation, analysis, and verification of programme data to track project results and indicators.
• Assist in organizing and following up on project review meetings, field missions, stakeholder consultations, workshops, technical meetings, and policy dialogues.
• Contribute to partnership activities promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, nutrition, and rural development.
• Assist in gathering and analyzing information on agriculture, food systems, value chains, climate resilience, nutrition, and rural livelihoods.
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of technical briefs, presentations, case studies, lessons learned, good practices, and other knowledge products.
• Support project monitoring, impact assessments, and the preparation of donor reports, situation analyses, and programme updates.
• Participate in field visits and support activities related to agricultural productivity, food security, climate-smart agriculture, natural resource management, and value chain development.
• Assist in identifying and documenting challenges, opportunities, and emerging needs within target communities and project locations.
• Support the preparation of communication materials and contribute to advocacy and awareness-raising activities showcasing project achievements and promoting sustainable agrifood systems.
• Participate in UN Volunteer initiatives and support the promotion of volunteerism, inclusion, diversity, community engagement, and the principle of leaving no one behind, particularly for women, youth, vulnerable groups, and rural communities.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan.

The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Age: 18-80
Required Experience: 1 Month
Donor Priorities: Not specified

Nationality Requirement

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA's programme.

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Relevant Experience: No experience required.

Language:

• English, Fluent, Required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL

Bachelor's degree in:

• Agriculture
• Agronomy
• Agricultural Economics
• Food Systems
• Rural Development
• Crop Science
• Nutrition
• Or related disciplines relevant to agrifood systems.

COMPETENCIES AND VALUES

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Empowering Others
• Ethics and Values

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience in:

• Agriculture or related fields.
• Project activities, working with stakeholders, data collection, basic analysis, monitoring, and reporting.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, such as studies, volunteer work or internship, would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

• Basic knowledge of agriculture, food security, and rural development.
• Basic research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Ability to support project activities and work with stakeholders.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Interest in volunteerism, inclusion, and sustainable development.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Nutrition
• Administration

Driving License: Not specified.

VOLUNTEERISM

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

LIVING CONDITIONS AND REMARKS

The UN Volunteer will be based at the FAO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and may travel to project sites.

Dar es Salaam offers access to essential services, including healthcare, banking, telecommunications, transportation, and accommodation.

The assignment offers a multicultural and collaborative working environment, with opportunities to learn, develop professional skills, and gain experience within the United Nations system.

VISA PROCESS

The UNV will need to apply for a business visa prior to arrival once the contract has been issued. The work permit will be applied for, and once issued, the residence permit will be processed.

The timeline is one month and 14 days.

INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals.

UNV is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender and other protected characteristics.

As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person's race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

NOTE ON COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

SCAM WARNING

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.

Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it.

Furthermore, emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Candidates are therefore advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

HOW TO APPLY

The provided text indicates that applications are submitted through the vacancy's Apply function, but it does not include the direct application URL.

Advertisement End Date: 14 October 2026 at 03:0