Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)

About FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food and agriculture. The organisation works with governments and partners to strengthen food security, nutrition, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, natural-resource management and rural development.

Position Details

• Job title: Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)
• Vacancy number: 2601905
• Post number: 0816485
• Organizational unit: FRNIR
• Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria
• Job type: Staff position
• Requisition type: National Professional Officer
• Grade: N-3
• Contract duration: Fixed term for two years, with possibility of extension
• Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM, based on the date and time settings displayed by the applicant’s device
• Nationality requirement: Applicants must be nationals of Nigeria

Reporting Line and Role Context

The Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) reports to the FAO Representative. Working with independence and initiative and applying knowledge of Nigeria’s socioeconomic conditions, institutions, culture and languages, the postholder will perform normative, operational and programming duties supporting the FAO Representation’s work in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

Technical Focus

The position focuses on programme development and management, coordination and operational support informed by strong knowledge of local conditions, institutions, language and culture.

Key Result

The postholder will contribute to the effective and efficient management and coordination of technical and operational support for the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

Government, Institutional and UN Coordination

• Liaise with and support government authorities and local, national and international institutions working in FAO’s areas of responsibility.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other United Nations agencies and development partners.
• Represent FAO at inter-agency meetings when required.
• Support coordination between FAO programmes, national priorities, government structures and partner initiatives.

Advocacy, Communication and Regulatory Support

• Promote FAO’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities.
• Support advocacy and communication initiatives that strengthen understanding of FAO’s work in Nigeria.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of communication tools, including websites, press releases and publications.
• Support implementation of relevant FAO regulatory frameworks in the country, including the Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and guidance on the safe use of pesticides.

Country Data and Policy Monitoring

• Coordinate the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data relating to food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
• Maintain information on external assistance in FAO corporate systems.
• Monitor changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
• Promote the accuracy, consistency and timely availability of country programme and sector information.
• Use country data and policy developments to support programme planning, reporting and decision-making.

Technical, Economic and Policy Work

• Participate in the preparation of technical, economic and policy studies when required.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of country-level frameworks.
• Support preparation and review of the FAO Country Programming Framework.
• Contribute to relevant components of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Provide programme inputs that strengthen alignment between FAO initiatives and national food-security, agriculture and rural-development priorities.

Programme and Project Development

• Participate in identifying, formulating and preparing programme and project proposals.
• Support the development of objectives, activities, implementation arrangements, workplans and required programme documentation.
• Help ensure that proposed initiatives respond to national needs and fall within FAO’s mandate and operational requirements.
• Coordinate with technical, programme, operational and partner teams during proposal and programme development.

Implementation Monitoring and Operational Support

• Monitor and review programme and project implementation status.
• Verify that operational activities are completed in accordance with approved workplans and project documents.
• Identify inconsistencies, delays, operational constraints and implementation risks.
• Propose corrective measures when required to address constraints and improve delivery.
• Support timely follow-up on programme actions, outputs, reporting requirements and operational decisions.
• Promote adherence to FAO procedures, guidelines and programme-management standards.

Team Supervision and Capacity Support

• Brief, train and supervise lower-grade programme staff on relevant aspects of their work.
• Provide clear guidance on procedures, responsibilities, work requirements and expected standards.
• Review the accuracy, diligence and quality of work produced by supervised personnel.
• Encourage effective teamwork, knowledge sharing and continuous professional improvement.
• Perform other duties assigned in support of the FAO Representation.

Minimum Requirements

• Nigerian nationality.
• Advanced university degree, equivalent to a master’s degree, in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, rural development, business administration and management, international relations or another field related to FAO’s work.
• At least five years of relevant public- or private-sector experience in programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture, or in project implementation within an area of FAO activity in Nigeria.
• Working knowledge of English at proficiency level C.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results focus.
• Teamwork.
• Communication.
• Building effective relationships.
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Technical and Functional Requirements

• Relevant experience in programme or project development and management.
• Demonstrated understanding of technical-programme functions, operational guidelines and programme or project-management procedures, preferably those used by FAO or the United Nations.
• Relevant experience in policy analysis concerning food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development; or relevant experience collecting country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
• Experience identifying, formulating and preparing programme and project proposals.
• Experience supporting programme or project implementation, monitoring and review.
• Intermediate knowledge, level B, of Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba is desirable.

FAO Values and Employment Conditions

Candidates are expected to demonstrate commitment to FAO, respect for all, integrity and transparency. Appointment is subject to certification that the selected candidate is medically fit, accreditation, applicable residency or visa requirements and security clearances.

Diversity and Protection from Discrimination

FAO is committed to workforce diversity in gender and nationality. People with disabilities are protected from discrimination throughout all stages of employment, including recruitment. Applications are treated with strict confidentiality.

Application Instructions

• Apply only through the official FAO recruitment portal.
• Complete the online profile accurately and ensure all relevant employment, academic qualifications and language skills are included.
• Submit the application well before the deadline.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Candidates may be required to provide performance assessments and authorisation for verification of employment, character, education, military or police records where applicable.
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.

NGO Career Link is not the recruiting organisation and does not influence the selection process. Applicants should never pay anyone for recruitment or employment.