Job Description - Young Professional Officer (School Food and Nutrition) )

Job Description

Young Professional Officer (School Food and Nutrition)

Job Posting

10/Aug/2026

Closure Date

07/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : Food and Nutrition Division, ESN

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number :

CCOG Code : 1I02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour 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.

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 , and with the Vision and Approach for FAO's Work in Nutrition (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.

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📌 Young Professional Officer (School Food and Nutrition) (Roma)
🏢 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
📍 Roma