Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The Government of Georgia places significant emphasis on enhancing youth participation in the agricultural and rural development sectors. As part of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021-2027, one of the primary objectives is to foster local and inclusive rural development initiatives, particularly targeting women and youth. To achieve these goals more effectively, FAO was requested to launch a project titled Support Youth Inclusion and Empowerment in Agrifood Systems for Rural Development (TCP/GEO/3904). Within this project, an Analysis Report on the situation and needs of rural youth is being conducted. In addition, the project aims at supporting the establishment of a national Youth Network for Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, which would serve as a platform for connection, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing for young people.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist on Policy and Youth will work under the overall guidance and responsibility of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR for Georgia, with the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and in coordination with the International Specialists on Youth and Rural Development.

Technical Focus

The main tasks of the National Specialist on Policy and Youth will include technical contribution to the finalization of the Analysis Report and to the preparation of the Policy Recommendations as well as contribution to the preparation of the Terms of Reference and the strategic outreach proposal for the Youth Network.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Specialist on Policy and Youth will closely work together with the project team including the International Specialists on Youth and Rural Development, the Youth Focal Point in FAO Georgia, the National Youth and Social Inclusion Specialist, and with the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant. The incumbent will have the following tasks and responsibilities:

•    Conduct a comprehensive review of the drafted Analysis Report on the situation and needs of rural youth and provide technical inputs for the finalisation of the document.
•    Based on the main outcomes of Analysis Report as well as the conducted dialogues at policy level and with relevant youth stakeholders, support the developpement of the conclusion and the detailed policy recommendation chapter of the Analysis Report.
•    Support the establishment of a core group of active rural youth who will contribute to the preparation of the policy recommendations and act as seed members of the Network for Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
•    Based on the Analysis Report and the outcome of the different dialogues with core group of youth as members of the Network and other relevant stakeholders, prepare a comprehensive Paper on Policy Recommendations (policy paper), which may include the situation of youth in agriculture and rural development and their engagement in agrifood systems and rural development. The Paper also should include a strategic vision or a Roadmap, which could serve as a tool for the implementation process of the policy recommendations elaborated in the Paper.
•    Based on the Analysis Report, the Policy Recommendations and the outcomes of the consultations with different stakeholders finalize the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Youth Network for Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
•    Technically contribute to youth consultation workshops: including agenda setting, participant selection, and preparation of materials, documenting the inputs and feeding in the design of the ToR, and policy recommendations.
•    Plan, and technically contribute to the validation event, where the validation of the ToR of the Network by MEPA and other relevant stakeholders including the members of the Network will be conducted.
•    Technically contribute to the dialogues with relevant stakeholders at all levels at relevant events.
•    Document feedback and suggestions provided during the consultations, meetings and events.
•    Integrate stakeholders’ input into the final design and structure of the Network design.
•    Elaborate strategic outreach proposal to activate and extend the Network’s membership at national level.
•    Based on the results of the Analysis Report and the Paper on Policy Recommendations, formulate a donor-funded concept note with specific focus on youth related services, opportunities, and support interventions.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in social sciences, rural development, international relations, international development or related fields;
•    At least 5 years of combined experience in policy analysis and policy design in the fields of youth engagement, in the context of agriculture and rural development and/or poverty reduction and/or rural employment, generational sustainability of family farming and/or social inclusion;
•    Working knowledge of Georgian and English languages; and
•    National or resident of Georgia with work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

•    Advanced university degree is an asset;
•    Relevance of academic qualifications;
•    Extent of knowledge and experience related to policy analysis and/or policy design and research in the field of youth related issues in the context of rural development and/or poverty reduction and/or rural employment and/or generational sustainability of family farming and/or social inclusion;
•    Report and academic writing skills and analytical skills;
•    Knowledge of national and international strategic priorities in the fields of youth empowerment, youth inclusion, rural employment, policy development and rural development;
•    Experience in youth networks’ development and management is an asset;
•    Work experience in UN/international organizations; and
•    Skills in facilitating stakeholder consultations and workshops is an asset.