JOB DESCRIPTION

Organizational Setting 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is currently implementing a 3-year project under the Multi-Donor Action “Circular Economy in the Food Sector” (CIRCULAR) which is jointly implemented with Expertise France (EF) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and funded by the European Union (EU). The FAO project under CIRCULAR seeks to address critical issues such as food loss and waste reduction, circularity applied to agri-food systems, and the transition away from single-use plastics from producers up to wholesalers. By leveraging multi-stakeholder partnerships and socio-technological interventions the project seeks to not only mitigate agri-food system climate impacts but also contribute to economic and social well-being.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and close collaboration with the International Project Management Specialist, National FLW Specialist the incumbent will contribute to timely implementation of the project performing specific tasks.

Technical Focus

The Specialist for school-related activities should have an expertise knowledge in designing and implementing and delivering learning materials. This includes proficiency in circular economy principals and integrating Circular Economy approaches.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Develop and implement the CIRCULAR FAO school-based activities targeting children aged 12 to 14 , teachers, and youth to promote awareness and understanding of circular economy principles and sustainable food systems.
•    Contribute to the design of workshop agendas, materials, and interactive learning materials, including lesson plans, activities, games, and multimedia resources, to integrate circular economy concepts into the school curriculum across various subjects.
•    Support FAO to organize and conduct training workshops and capacity-building sessions for teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills in delivering circular economy education and fostering sustainability practices in the classroom.
•    Assist the Project Management Unit to coordinate student-led initiatives and projects that will be supported through CIRCULAR, such as school gardens, composting programs, and waste reduction campaigns, to promote hands-on learning and practical application of circular economy principles.
•    Assist the PMU to facilitate school visits, field trips, and experiential learning activities to agricultural sites, food and feed processing facilities, and other relevant locations (e.g. composting and bio-gas production sites) to provide students with real-world exposure to sustainable food systems practices.
•    Monitor and evaluate the impact of school activities and educational programs on student learning outcomes, behavior change, and attitudes towards sustainability, and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
•    Ensure the inclusion of gender-responsive and inclusive approaches in all school activities, with a focus on promoting equal participation and opportunities for girls and boys.
•    Coordinate with the International Project Manager and the National FLW Specialists and other project staff to align school activities with project objectives and reporting requirements and contribute to project monitoring and reporting as needed in coordination with other project staff, as required.
•    Ensure compliance with FAO and donor rules and regulations, including child protection policies, ethical standards, and reporting requirements, in all school-related activities.
•    Undertake any other school-related tasks as directed by the International Project Manager to support the overall objectives of the CIRCULAR project.
Any other related task as assigned by AFAOR (Programme)

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    A bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, environmental science, sustainable development, or a related field is required
•    Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in education, curriculum development, or youth engagement, preferably in the context of environmental education or sustainability in Sri Lanka.
•    Full proficiency in English and Sinhala/Tamil, both written and spoken, is required.
•    National of Sri Lanka or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core 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
•    Extent and relevance of experience in designing and implementing educational programs, activities and materials for children and youth.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in training and capacity building and delivering workshops.
•    Familiarity with curriculum frameworks and learning theories.

Selection Criteria 

•    Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing educational programs, activities, and materials for children and youth, with a focus on experiential learning and participatory approaches.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
•    Experience in training and capacity building, particularly in delivering workshops and professional development sessions for teachers and educators.
•    Knowledge of pedagogical principles, learning theories, and curriculum frameworks, with the ability to adapt educational content to different age groups and learning styles.
•    Familiarity with circular economy concepts, sustainable food systems, and environmental sustainability issues is desirable.
•    Experience in working with government, especially with Ministry of Education.
•    Experience in coordinating and liaising with industry, academia, national authorities, UN agencies, donors, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
•    Familiarity with the UN System and /or development sector will be considered an asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements