FAO

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Work environment
FAO offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment; staff from over 100
countries specializing in diverse fields provide a truly international workplace.

Professional Growth
FAO offers countless staff development opportunities, including group training,
workshops and individual training courses. FAO also uses a performance
management module which helps staff members achieve their yearly goals and
encourages career growth within the organization.

Mobility
Since FAO’s work is global our staff should be too; that is why FAO has a staff
mobility programme which enables and encourages staff to move around both
geographically and to different functions within their duty station.

STAFF CATEGORIES

Do you thrive in an environment that is truly international and multi-cultural, which

respects as well as promotes diversity and functions at its best through the efforts of
teams of different people? Are you willing to travel to various duty stations
worldwide in order to contribute to the mission of FAO’s work? Do you want to
make a difference? If so, consider the various employment profiles at FAO.

FAO recruits staff on fixed-term or temporary contracts. Staff are grouped in two
main streams: Professional (P) or General Service staff (G). Directors (D) are part of
the Senior Management category. FAO also employs consultants, interns and
volunteers to assist with special projects and short term recruitment needs.

Internationally recruited staff

Senior Level staff

are hired internationally and occupy senior positions which require a high level of
managerial and technical expertise in their respective fields.
Professional staff
are hired internationally and occupy leadership functions or positions that require a
significant level of technical expertise. Professional staff are mobile and engage in
various functions across FAO’s areas of work.

Locally recruited staff

General Service staff

are hired locally at the respective duty station. Their main role is to provide
assistance and support and to assure the smooth functioning of all administrative
matters.

National Professional Officers

are nationals of the country in which they serve and perform functions of a
professional nature requiring local knowledge, expertise and experience of a
national.

FAO Principles
FAO is committed to achieving the best results while respecting workforce diversity
and ensuring a broad representation of nationals of our member countries.
Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and gender
balance; qualified females are encouraged to apply.

What qualities are we looking for?

PROFESSIONALISM
To be professional is to be dedicated, thorough and efficient in meeting deadlines
and achieving results. It means demonstrating know-how in your area of work, and
in any situation, presenting the best possible appearance, commitment and pride in
your work.

RESPECT
Diversity is one of the pillars of FAO and the Organization recognizes that the
diversity of its staff is essential in tackling its work. We are called to respect and
learn from each other’s differences and rely on them to find creative ways to solve
everyday challenges.

FLEXIBILITY
FAO staff are willing to share their practice and experience, to move from one duty
station to another, as well as to change office and position inside of the Organization
in order to create an experienced and versatile workforce.
INTEGRITY
Acting with integrity is performing in an unbiased and honest manner at all times.
When you work at FAO this means living the values of the Organization in your daily
activities and behavior. Integrity upholds the professionalism of the staff.
VACANCIES

Junior Professional Programme

The Junior Professional Programme is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented,
highly qualified professionals who are mainly from non- and under- represented
developing countries to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.

More information on the Junior Professional Programme can be found here.

What is it?

The Junior Professional Programme (JPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for

talented, highly qualified professionals who are mainly from non- and under-
represented developing countries to start a career as an international civil servant
with FAO.

Under the supervision of a senior staff member, Junior Professionals (JPs) work with
international and national staff and are involved in the identification, design,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO activities. Purposes of
assignments vary and may have a country-specific, regional, sector-based or
thematic focus.

JPOs are offered two years fixed term contracts subject to a one-year probationary
period. This term may be renewed for a period of up to two additional years, subject
to satisfactory performance. JPs will generally be employed at P-1 step 1 level on
initial appointment and will move to P-1 step 2 level for the second year of their
assignment.

What are the requirements?

Candidates for the JPP are selected on a highly competitive basis. The qualifications
below are required for consideration:

 Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of

application;
 Academic qualifications: advanced university degree (Master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field
relevant to the work of FAO;
 A minimum of one year of professional experience in a field relevant to the work of FAO;
 Language skills: working knowledge of one of FAO’s official languages (English, French,
Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian) and a limited knowledge of another, depending on the
working language of the duty station;
  Candidates must not bear any of the following relationships to staff members of the
Organization: son, daughter, brother or sister

Vacancies and how to apply

Please visit the list of JPP opportunities currently available in the Organization.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

Internship Programme

FAO is currently reviewing the Organization’s Internship Programme. The

information about the new Programme will be available soon in this website.

Are you interested in working for an International Organization?

Are you willing to embark on a challenging opportunity that will enrich your personal
as well as your professional experience?

If so, consider applying for an internship at FAO. The Organization offers several
options within its Headquarters and its decentralized offices worldwide to provide
hands-on opportunities for students or young graduates to learn more about what
FAO does.

General Requirements Remuneration Important considerations

 No more than 30 years
of age;
 Be recent graduates or
students in a
recognised
university or graduate
school programme and
have completed at the
very least two years of
undergraduate studies
 Interns receive a
monthly stipend from
FAO up to the amount
of US$700. In some
cases, the terms of
sponsored internships
may vary depending
upon the agreement
between FAO and the
institution sponsoring
 Duration: for individual
applicants, the
assignment usually
ranges from three
months to a maximum
period of six months;
 Interns who are
sponsored, the
maximum duration of
the internship is
 in a field relevant to the intern. Interns or defined by the
the work of FAO, or be sponsoring institutions agreement between
participants in a are responsible for FAO and the
governmental or travel and visa costs. sponsoring institution;
academic programme  Applicants should apply
sponsoring to the Internship
assignments of recent Programme only if they
graduates or students; meet the minimum
 A working knowledge criteria.
of English, French or
Spanish is required.
Knowledge of one of
the other two, or
Arabic, Chinese or
Russian, is an asset;
 Must not bear any of
the following
relationships to staff
members of the
Organization: son,
daughter, brother, or
sister.

How to Apply

FAO is currently reviewing the Organization’s Internship Programme. The

information about the new Programme will be available soon in this website.