FAO Regular Volunteer Programme for Africa

FAO Launches a global initiative to combat hunger and enhance food security, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations invites individuals worldwide to participate in its Regular Volunteer Programme. This program seeks to harness the passion and skills of volunteers to fulfill the UN Sustainable Development Goals and support FAO’s Strategic Framework in line with the ambitious 2030 Agenda. Operating across over 130 countries with participation from over 195 member states, FAO’s volunteer program strategically integrates broad-based volunteer efforts to combat hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. Volunteers assigned through this program can expect to engage in tasks aligned with the FAO’s mandate to transition towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems. Each volunteer, upon engagement, will operate under the guidance of designated supervisors and integrate into environments that further FAO’s goals of improved production, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and life quality improvement, ensuring no one is left behind. The volunteer roles encompass various responsibilities, all specified within the Terms of Reference drafted by the hiring office. Candidates interested in contributing are required to have completed at least a secondary school education and possess proficiency in one of the FAO languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish—with additional language skills considered beneficial. Applicants must be nationals from FAO member countries, over the age of 18, and capable of working in an international, multicultural context. FAO emphasizes core competencies in their volunteers including results focus, teamwork, effective communication, relationship-building, and commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Those with relevant work or research experience in fields pertinent to the Organization’s work are especially encouraged to apply. Furthermore, FAO assures potential candidates that no fees are charged at any stage of the recruitment process, and emphasizes inclusivity by encouraging applications from qualified female applicants, nationals from under-represented Member states, and candidates from specifically categorized countries needing developmental support. Applications are accepted exclusively online through the FAO recruitment portal where candidates should submit comprehensive profiles and relevant documents. The organization stresses the importance of early applications and thoroughness in the submission process. Additionally, FAO does not provide monetary compensation to volunteers, reinforcing the altruistic nature of the program aimed at achieving global food security and ending hunger sustainably by 2030.

FAO CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Must have completed secondary school education.
•    Working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish). Knowledge of a second FAO language will be considered an asset.
•    Be nationals of FAO Members.
•    Candidates should be aged 18 or older.
•    Candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Relevant working or research experience in one of the fields of the Organization.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

•    FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
•    Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members, as well as candidates from Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-locked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are encouraged to apply to this Call for Expression of Interest.
•    All applications will be reviewed, and only qualified applicants will be directly contacted for interviews by the hiring office and contacted again, if selected.
•    Selected candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment prior to joining the Organization.
•    Candidates with family members (defined as mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, or son) employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible for the FAO Regular Volunteer Programme.
•    FAO does not provide any remuneration to volunteers.

HOW TO APPLY

•    To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills.
•    Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation and copy of academic qualifications to the online profile.
•    Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application. Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
•    Incomplete applications will not be considered.
•    Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile.
•    Personal information provided in your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application.
•    Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered for an assignment are requested to re-apply to the new Calls.
•    We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

The deadline is on 1 January 2025

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