About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking an Institutional Development Specialist for the ‘Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa’s Great Green Wall’ (SURAGGWA) project, implemented in Senegal and seven other countries with funding from the Green Climate Fund. Operating under the FAO Representation in Senegal and working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition and the Senegalese Agency for Reforestation and the Great Green Wall (ASERGMV), the specialist will lead organizational mapping and diagnostics, structure the National Coalition of the Great Green Wall, support stakeholder engagement and social engineering, and oversee planning, monitoring, and evaluation for institutional development components.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive salary provided under a National Project Personnel (NPP) contract
- 12-month initial duration with the possibility of renewal
- Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact regional climate resilience and land restoration initiative
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent, minimum Bac+5) in engineering sciences, social sciences, political science, institutional/organizational development, natural resource management, public administration, or a related relevant field
- At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in institutional and organizational development, planning, monitoring and evaluation, or natural resource governance
- Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French
- Senegalese nationality or residency in the country with a valid work permit
Required documents
- Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
- Completed online application form via the FAO recruitment portal
When to apply
- Published on October 12, 2026
- Application deadline is October 26, 2026, at 22:59 UTC
How to apply
- Access the FAO recruitment portal via Jobs at FAO
- Complete the online application form and upload your resume/CV
- Submit your application before the closing deadline
Additional information
- Degrees obtained from educational institutions recognized by the IAU/UNESCO World Higher Education Database are considered.
- FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
- A working level (Level B) of English is considered an asset.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Strong alignment for professionals with extensive experience in institutional development, natural resource governance, and multi-stakeholder project coordination in West Africa.
- Ideal for candidates with an advanced degree in public administration, social sciences, or environmental engineering who want to drive sustainable land management initiatives.
- Provides a direct platform to contribute to major United Nations climate adaptation and green wall restoration efforts.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role requires Senegalese nationality or legal residency with a valid work permit in Senegal.
- Proficiency in French is mandatory, and the contract is structured as a temporary 12-month National Project Personnel (NPP) appointment.
- Tight application window requiring prompt preparation of application materials.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This 12-month temporary position is well-suited for mid-to-senior development practitioners seeking to deepen their impact in international environmental governance, climate finance integration, and large-scale agroforestry project coordination within the United Nations system.
Our take
Qualified institutional development experts who are legal residents or nationals of Senegal and possess strong project management backgrounds in natural resource sectors should seriously consider applying before the October 2026 deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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