Food Loss and Waste Specialist

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 overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, 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 in close collaboration with the International Project Manager, the National Project Coordinator, and the other relevant FAO consultants and Service Providers, the incumbent will ensure the timely and quality implementation of the project performing specific tasks

Technical Focus

• Provide technical guidance for the project including identification of suitable strategies, partners and delivery of quality outputs
• Support the smooth implementation of the project to achieve the deliverables in a timely manner.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on the development and implementation of strategies for Food Loss and Waste with a focus on value chains, circularity, socio-economic and environmental impacts of potential solution tailored to the national context
• Be a member of the Project Steering Committee and Working Groups;
• Liaise with the state and other stakeholders to ensure the flow of cooperation and coordination in the implementation of the project, and ensure the participation of senior staff within relevant ministries in project activities;
• Collaborate with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry stakeholders, and other relevant actors to promote the adoption of circular economy practices and technologies for food loss and waste reduction.
• Assist the PMU to identify Technical Specialists/Consultants/Service Providers for the implementation of the project;
• Support and guide the comprehensive assessments of current food loss and waste practices within the country, identifying key drivers and hotspots throughout the food supply chain.
• Develop implementation strategies using an evidence-based approach and identify opportunities for scalability in the areas of intervention.
• Ensure alignment with national policies, regulations, and initiatives related to food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.
• Develop and/or review Terms of Reference of affiliate workforce and ensure compliance with current standards and regulations.;
• Facilitate capacity building activities, workshops, and training sessions to enhance awareness and understanding of circular economy concepts and strategies among key stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance to the pilot initiatives in terms of best practices related to circular economy, suitability, and sustainability.
• Support the facilitation of establishing stakeholder platforms and data sharing to enable implementation.
• Provide technical support to the project communication specialist for the preparation of communication materials of the project; provide training; represent the project at events.
• Support technical aspects of the project progress reports to review and monitor the outputs/deliverables of the project against the agreed work plan and identify constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions.
• Undertake any other task as requested by FAOR/AFAOR (Programme)

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, environment, social sciences, project management or any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in project management, preferably in the field of agriculture, food security, or waste management.
• Experience in working with government, regional and international development agencies.
• Working knowledge of English and working knowledge of Sinhala and/or English.
• National of Sri Lanka

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
• Knowledge of food loss and waste issues, particularly in the context of Sri Lanka or similar settings.
• Familiarity with innovative approaches and technologies for reducing food loss and optimizing food waste utilization.
• Strong coordination and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to prepare reports, proposals, and other project-related documents.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating development projects, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant tools.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in related sectors.
• 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION