Young Professional Officer (Nutrition And Food Systems)

Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) supports Member Nations and subregional institutions in addressing food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities across West Africa. In line with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31, SFW contributes to the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. SFW facilitates the adaptation and implementation of FAO corporate strategies and programmes at country and subregional levels, ensuring alignment with national priorities and regional frameworks led by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as ECOWAS, MRU, UEMOA and CILSS. The Office hosts a multidisciplinary team of technical experts across key sectors, including crop and livestock production, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, land and water management, pastoralism, and climate resilience. Through this integrated approach, SFW provides technical and policy support to its 15 Member Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

SFW supports countries in their efforts to reduce poverty, improve food security and nutrition, and strengthen resilient livelihoods, with particular attention to vulnerable populations, including women and youth. Its work promotes sustainable agricultural practices, strengthens value chains, enhances access to markets, and fosters climate-resilient agrifood systems. Guided by the Four Betters, better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, leaving no one behind. SFW contributes to delivering transformative impact at scale. This includes mobilizing partnerships, supporting investment opportunities, and advancing innovative and data-driven solutions.

For a Young Professionals Programme context, nutrition and agrifood systems transformation are central to SFW's operations, with a focus on improving dietary quality, promoting sustainable food systems, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. SFW supports countries in mainstreaming nutrition into policies and programmes, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and evidence-based, integrated solutions aligned with FAO's Four Betters. The YPP will be based at the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa in Dakar, with travel to countries in the subregion, where relevant.

The position is located in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) in Dakar, Senegal.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Nutrition and Food Systems) reports to the Agribusiness Officer at SFW, under the overall guidance of the Subregional Coordinator for West Africa. The YPP will work in close collaboration with technical teams at SFW, FAO Country Offices, the Regional Office, relevant Headquarters units, and regional partners.

Technical Focus

The position contributes to FAO’s collaborative efforts with partner to support the design, implementation and monitoring of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-focused programmes, projects and policy initiatives in West Africa, including:

Integration of nutrition into agriculture and food systems programming;

Contribution to analytical work, policy support and capacity development;

Strengthening of multisectoral coordination mechanisms on nutrition;

Knowledge generation and dissemination on nutrition and food systems.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.

Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.

Provides technical support to various projects.

Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.

Participates in the organ...