About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking candidates for a Young Professional Officer (Small Island Developing States – SIDS) position located in the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, Switzerland. The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted at talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under-represented countries, with priority consideration given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and developing countries in general. The selected officer will support sustained interaction with SIDS Permanent Missions, facilitate policy dialogue, partnerships, and knowledge exchange on agrifood systems transformation in SIDS, and contribute to the SIDS Solutions Dialogue Series and quarterly SIDS Digest.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive compensation and benefits package based on UN salaries, allowances, and benefits
- Dependency allowances
- Rental subsidy
- Education grant for children
- Home leave travel
- 30 working days of annual leave per year
- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
- International health insurance and optional life insurance
- Disability protection
- Family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements
Who can apply?
- Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Social or Political Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations, or a related field relevant to the work of the Organization
- One year of relevant experience in development work and/or in designing and managing projects, including engagement with development partners, governments, international organizations, research institutions, and civil society
- Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish)
- Higher educational qualifications must be obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
Required documents
- Accurate and complete online profile including employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
- Letter of motivation attached to the online profile
When to apply
- Job Posting Date: 10/Aug/2026
- Closure Date: 07/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM
How to apply
- Visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile
- Submit your application through the FAO recruitment portal
Additional information
- Duration: Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension
- Post Number: 2008748
- CCOG Code: 1A02e
- Grade Level: P-1
- Organizational Unit: FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, LOG
- Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
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…
- Professionals aged 32 or younger with an advanced degree in social sciences, economics, or international relations.
- Candidates with experience in development work or project management.
- Individuals from SIDS, LDCs, or LLDCs who have a strong interest in agrifood systems.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is based at the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The position is a two-year fixed-term staff appointment.
- Candidates must meet the English proficiency requirement and possess intermediate knowledge of a second UN language.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is designed for those looking to bridge the gap between policy and practice in international development. It offers the chance to engage with high-level diplomatic missions and contribute to global dialogues on SIDS-specific challenges.
Our take
This position is highly recommended for young professionals with a background in international relations or development; it is less suitable for those who prefer field-based technical work over diplomatic and liaison-focused responsibilities.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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