Junior specialist Food Loss and Waste

Position: Junior specialist on Food Loss and Waste
Job Description

Job Title:

Junior specialist on Food Loss and Waste (2601299)
Job Posting: 18/Jun/2026
Closure Date: 02/Jul/2026
Organizational Unit: DDCG - Governance Unit
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities (PSA)
Primary

Location:

Italy-Rome
Duration: 4-11 months
Organizational Setting
Food loss and waste (FLW) pose significant challenges to food security, sustainability, and agrifood system efficiency. To support FAO’s efforts in monitoring and reducing FLW, the Governance and Policy Support Unit requires additional capacity for data collection, analysis, reporting, and coordination activities. The Junior Specialist will support the implementation of FLW‑related projects, strengthen evidence‑based decision‑making, and contribute to FAO’s work toward more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
Reporting Lines
The Junior Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer, DDCG.
Technical Focus
The Junior Specialist will support the implementation of FLW‑related activities, focusing on data collection, validation, management, and cross‑checking FLW data, statistics, and related information from multiple sources. The role offers hands‑on exposure to technical analysis, policy support, and process coordination within an international and multidisciplinary environment.
Tasks and Responsibilities

Support the implementation of food loss and waste (FLW)-related activities through data collection, validation, management, and collect, compile, review, and cross‑check food loss and waste (FLW) data, statistics, and related information from multiple sources.
Provide analytical and operational support for multidisciplinary projects. Manage, clean, and analyze datasets using statistical software (including Stata) and Excel, ensuring data quality, consistency, and proper documentation.
Analyze and interpret quantitative data, and present results clearly through tables, charts, and analytical summaries.
Contribute to reporting and briefing processes in line with FAO standards, including drafting, editing, and revising technical documents, reports, and publications.
Support the development and improvement of data collection tools, methodologies, and analytical approaches.
Contribute to the development of training materials and support the organization of workshops, seminars, meetings, conferences, and other capacity‑building activities.
Contribute to the preparation of technical outputs, including reports, briefs, and inputs to final reports.
Support the identification of data gaps and contribute to improving analytical and monitoring approaches related to FLW activities.

Minimum Requirements

University degree or technical degree certificate from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, agricultural economics, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, or another field relevant to FAO’s work.
One year of relevant experience in food loss and waste, agrifood systems, food security, agricultural development, or related fields.
Working knowledge (level

C) of English.

Technical/Functional Skills

Extent and relevance of experience in FLW, food security, agrifood systems, governance, policy support, or agricultural development.
Proficiency or experience in the use of statistical software for data analysis such as STATA, Excel, or other tools considered relevant to the vacancy.
Ability to multitask and prioritize work effectively.
Demonstrated experience in data analysis, reporting, and coordination activities.
Ability to plan and organize work, deliver results, and meet deadlines.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.

Selection Criteria

Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) will be considered an asset.

EEO Statement

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 persons 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 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.

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