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Job Posting: 26/Jan/2026

Closure Date: 17/Feb/2026, 6:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit: FACPR

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: NPO (National Professional Officer)

Grade Level: N-1

Primary Location: China-Beijing

Duration: Fixed term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2010891

CCOG Code: 1A11

• 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 member nations and person 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, 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

• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by a FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Hainan Programme Cooperation Office (PCO) is established under the auspices of the FAO Representation in China and operates as an integral part of the FAO Representation. It serves as a joint platform for technical cooperation, policy dialogue, and strategic partnership facilitation between FAO and the Hainan Provincial Government while acting as a key bridge for enhanced cooperation with other leading research institutions based in Hainan and abroad.

The PCO represents a forward-looking partnership linking tropical agriculture innovation, south–south cooperation, and agrifood systems transformation, translating high-level commitments into concrete partnerships, technical cooperation programmes/projects, and policy dialogue.

The position is located in the FAO Representation of China with duty station in Beijing, China, with possible relocation to Sanya, Hainan Province, as may be decided by the Organization.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of FAO Representative (FAOR), the National Professional Officer (Programme) reports to the National Professional Officer (Head of Programme, PCO).

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

•    Assists in liaising and cooperating with government authorities and national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and in liaising with other UN agencies.

•    Provides support to promoting the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools (e.g. website, press releases and publications) and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (e.g. Codex Alimentarius and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries) in the country.

•    Collects, consolidates and maintains country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and participates in monitoring changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.

•    Assists with the production of technical, economic and policy studies and assists in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

•    Assists in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitor and review the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.

•    Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided.

•    Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

•    Assists in promoting knowledge exchange and capacity development initiatives in collaboration with research institutions.

•    Contributes to foster resource mobilization and outreach with international organizations, private sector entities, and donors.

•    Supports investment opportunities in the sectors of tropical agriculture innovation, south–south cooperation, and agrifood systems transformation in China, in line with the investment approaches of FAO.

•    Supports the maintenance and operation of the PCO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of China.

•    Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries or any other field related to the work of the Organization.

•    One year of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.

•    Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Chinese and English.

Competencies

•    Results Focus

•    Teamwork

•    Communication

•    Building Effective Relationships

•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.

•    Understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.

•    Extent and relevance of experience in the area of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, OR extent and relevance of' experience related to the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.

•    Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals, as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

• Staff members in this category are recruited locally and paid according to a local salary scale. Salary scales are reviewed periodically on the basis of comprehensive surveys of the best prevailing conditions of employment in the locality.

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies

• flexible working arrangements

• standards of conduct

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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills

• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications

• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application

• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile

• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT