Organizational Setting The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on these issues and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).

The GIAHS Secretariat serves as the operational unit of FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme. It provides guidance and technical support to FAO Members in developing and submitting GIAHS proposals and implementing follow-up activities for designated sites. The Secretariat also liaises with governments and national and international organizations to establish strategic partnerships that support the Programme’s continued development and geographical expansion.

The position ‘GIAHS Agro-economic Specialist’ is in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Secretariat, in FAO Headquarters in Rome.

Reporting Lines The incumbent will report to the Senior Coordinator of the GIAHS Secretariat.

Technical Focus

Support the GIAHS Secretariat in developing practical tools, a comprehensive framework and technical guidelines for the branding, informative labelling, marketing and commercialization of products originating from GIAHS sites.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Conduct consultations and interviews with relevant stakeholders, national institutions,



GIAHS communities and members of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) to collect data and information on value addition and the branding, labelling, marketing and commercialization of GIAHS products.
- Consult representatives of organizations working on natural and cultural heritage—including UNESCO, ICOMOS, IUCN and UN Tourism—to gather and analyse relevant data, experiences, methodologies and good practices that could be considered in the branding, labelling, marketing and commercialization of GIAHS products.
- Build on and complete the literature review and assessment of relevant technical documents and reports initiated by the previous consultant.
- Complete the collection, processing and analysis of data from GIAHS sites to map the current status of the branding, labelling, marketing and commercialization of products originating from these sites.
- Complete the analysis of data from GIAHS sites and revise and strengthen the previous consultant’s draft report on the economic, institutional and policy measures required to ensure the long-term sustainability of GIAHS systems.
- Build on the previous consultant’s work to develop a comprehensive framework and technical guidelines for the branding, informative labelling, marketing and commercialization of products originating from GIAHS sites.
- Prepare a policy brief outlining appropriate measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of GIAHS systems, conserve biodiversity, strengthen food security and improve the livelihoods of GIAHS communities.
- Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of affiliate personnel (but not staff members)
- Represent FAO at relevant meetings and international conferences, as required.
- Perform any other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

- Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agricultural Economics, rural economics, Development Economics,



Environmental or natural resource economics, Agricultural development, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Development studies, or related fields. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
- One year (for Category C), five years (for Category B) or ten years (for Category A) of relevant experience in developing substantive contribution and achievements related to agricultural economics, agricultural development or agribusiness.
- Working knowledge (level c) of English

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, particularly in field-based positions, is desirable.
- Relevant professional experience in developing frameworks, technical guidelines and practical tools for the branding, labelling, marketing and commercialization of agricultural products.
- Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, processing and analysing data and information on value addition and the branding, labelling, marketing and commercialization of agricultural products.
- Demonstrated experience in reviewing technical documents and reports and preparing technical reports and policy briefs on the economic, institutional and policy measures required to strengthen value chains, improve market access and enhance the positioning of agricultural products.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing labelling, certification or origin-based quality schemes for agricultural products.
- Extent and relevance of experience working with national institutions and local communities in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and/or rural development.
- Extent and relevance of experience in organizing technical meetings and presenting technical findings and reports at conferences, workshops and seminars.
- Strong analytical, drafting and report-writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
- Familiarity with FAO’s GIAHS Programme and its areas of work is considered an asset.
- Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of French or Spanish is considered an asset.

📌 GIAHS Agro-economic Specialist (Roma)
🏢 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
📍 Roma