FAO's Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) assists Members to improve diets and raise levels of nutrition, as well as provides support with appropriate policies, strategies and methodologies for improving the efficiency and inclusiveness of their agriculture and food systems. As a knowledge leader, areas addressed include dietary assessment, support on nutrition-sensitive food and agriculture policies and programmes, effective nutrition promotion programmes, food value chains, market linkages, post-harvest handling, food loss and waste reduction and nutrition-sensitive agro-processing. FAO is committed to support Members in their efforts to improve achieving better nutrition, aligned with FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, and with the Vision and Approach for FAO's Work in Nutrition 2025-2031 (VAN).

School-based food and nutrition programmes are a key area of work for FAO, serving as an effective way to improve child nutrition, support local agrifood systems, and encourage healthy eating habits throughout life. FAO promotes an integrated approach that enhances school meals through supportive policies, healthier food environments, nutrition education, and inclusive food procurement practices.

This work relies on strong partnerships. Together with the World Food Programme (WFP), FAO has developed a methodology to help countries create nutrition guidelines and standards for school meals that reflect local contexts. Collaboration with UN agencies, the School Meals Coalition Research Consortium, Intake Center for Dietary Assessment, and other partners has been essential in advancing this effort.

FAO believes that effective partnerships are critical to achieving sustainable improvements in the quality and reach of school meal programmes worldwide.

This position is located in the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Young Professional Officer (School Food And Nutrition) reports to the Senior Nutrition Officer, ESN, and collaborates with FAO colleagues in and outside of ESN, under the overall guidance of the Director, ESN.

Technical Focus This position contributes to FAO's collaborative efforts with partners to generate data that can be used to strengthen the impact potential of school meals programmes from design to implementation.

Key Results Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

- Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.
- Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.
- Provides technical support to various projects.




- Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
- Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

- Compiles and reviews existing methodological approaches, tools, and indicators, related to school meal nutritional quality assessment.
- Supports the development of research proposals and survey protocols.
- Supports the development of guidelines and adaptation of standardized data collection tools (e.g. nutrition guidelines analysis, menu analysis, procurement tracking).
- Supports data collection with multiple partners.
- Supports data consolidation, cleaning, validation, and documentation of data collection processes.
- Contributes to the design of standardized data collection protocols, including sampling approaches and data collection instruments.
- Assists in piloting and field-testing data collection protocols and tools in selected countries.
- Supports coordination with partners and networks engaged in data collection activities on the nutritional quality of school meals.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in nutritional sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or a related field.
- One year of relevant experience in nutrition research and data collection and analysis, particularly in the design, implementation, analysis and publication of quantitative surveys.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, is desirable.
- Research experience related to school meals is an asset.
- Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analysing and summarizing technical information and data.




- Experience in research design and data collection in field settings across multiple contexts is considered an asset.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.
- Good analytical skills and technical communication and writing required.
- A PhD would be an asset.

NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. Job Posting 10/Aug/2026

Closure Date 07/Sep/2026, 5:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit Food and Nutrition Division, ESN

Job Type Staff position

Grade Level P-1

Primary Location Italy-Rome

Duration Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number 2008720

CCOG Code 1I02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

- 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, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, 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
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

📌 Young Professional Officer (School Food and Nutrition) (Roma)
🏢 Fao
📍 Roma