The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialised agency dedicated to achieving global food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Established in 1945, FAO works with governments, development partners, and local communities to eliminate hunger, strengthen agricultural systems, and support resilient livelihoods. With operations in over 130 countries, the organisation provides technical expertise, policy guidance, data-driven insights, and on-ground support that enable nations to build inclusive, sustainable, and climate-smart food systems. FAO’s mission is clear: to ensure that every person has regular access to safe, nutritious food and to advance agriculture as a driver of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Some available opportunities at FAO
National Communications Specialist
Tasks and responsibilities:
In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
• Support the BH to draft, develop or update the communications and visibility plan and budget for specific project and FAO Timor-Leste.
• Produce communication products in line with corporate messages (briefs, leaflets, posters, brochures, presentations, etc.);
• Implement planned and ad hoc communications and visibility activities for specific projects and FAO Timor-Leste.
• Facilitate the organization of official events, including, but not limited to project launches, conferences, inaugurations, handover ceremonies, etc. in Dili and other municipalities
• Provide, review, and quality assurance of all projects and corporate communication and visibility materials and ensure their availability in both English and Tetun languages
• Prepare a monthly communication and visibility update and plans for the project, office and donors
• Assist in the preparation of the projects’ quarterly briefs
• Identify communication priorities, liaise with relevant parties and identify follow-up actions within the country office
Minimum Requirements:
- • University degree in communications, journalism, media relations OR disciplines relevant to FAO’s work
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in communication and visibility guidelines for development institutions such as FAO
• Working knowledge of English and Tetum - • Experience in/familiarity with communication and visibility guidelines for development institutions such as FAO
• Knowledge and skills on production of communications materials, organizing media or other events, managing social media platforms
• Above-average translation skills
• Strong communications, computer, and report writing skills
• Ability to work independently
• Level, extent and relevance of proven experience in the field of communication and media relations;
Human Resources Officer (Social Security)
Tasks and responsibilities:
- • Supports the overall management of the medical, death and disability benefits plan covering FAO’s global staff and non-staff population and oversees the design and implementation of the necessary policy and operational framework to maximise corporate cost-effectiveness and minimise risks and liabilities.
• Supports and monitors Social Security financial sustainability and ensures that adequate mechanisms are in place to mitigate risks; reviews benefits regularly in order to maintain continuing relevance to staff needs and to FAO’s strategic objectives.
• Contributes to and monitors the financial integrity of the Trust Fund and Special Account and ensure transparent and accurate financial reporting to oversight bodies and relevant stakeholders.
• Supports collaborative partnerships with vendors, manage contractual obligations for the provision of insurance-related administrative services, and ensure the vendors’ adherence to established performance standards and key performance indicators (KPIs); drafts periodic report to the FAO Advisory Committee on Medical Coverage (FAC/MC);
Minimum Requirements:
- • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources, management, business administration, contract management, pharmaceuticals, law, industrial psychology or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in human resources management and administration.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (Intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). - • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in reviewing, interpreting and/or implementing rules and regulations related to the staff benefits and social security and expressing sound analytical skills to identify root-cause for irregularities from complex databases. Terminology Specialist
Tasks and responsibilities:
- • Contribute to the ongoing development and quality assurance of Arabic entries in the FAO Terminology Portal by adding, revising, proofreading, and validating equivalents in line with current linguistic standards, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. This involves conducting in-depth linguistic and terminological research using authoritative sources across FAO’s thematic areas, including FAO publications, FAOSTYLE, dictionaries, UN documentation, and specialised glossaries, to ensure linguistic precision and conceptual consistency.
- • Ensure the terminological integrity and scientific accuracy of Arabic technical terms by performing comprehensive terminology research. This will be done independently and/or in collaboration with the Terminology Team, subject matter experts, FAO technical divisions, and other internal or external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with FAO usage and terminology practices.
Minimum Requirements:
• For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in linguistics, translation, terminology or a related field; Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognised by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in linguistics, translation, terminology or a related field.
• At least one year of relevant experience in terminology, translation or related areas.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and working knowledge (mother tongue or equivalent) of Arabic.
Operations Assistant
Tasks and responsibilities:
- • Act as the focal point for day-to-day project operations and coordination with relevant units and partners.
• Support project formulation, work planning, budget preparation, and monitoring of progress and expenditures.
• Assist in procurement, recruitment, travel, and other administrative actions, ensuring compliance with FAO rules and procedures.
• Contribute to the timely preparation and submission of progress and terminal reports and assist in project closure.
• Maintain accurate data and documentation in FPMIS and related FAO systems.
• Support the preparation of project documents, annexes, and country clearances.
• Prepare and process requests related to procurement, HR, travel, payments, operational advances, and asset management. Minimum Requirements:
- • High school diploma or technical diploma in business administration, management, finance or accounting
- • Five years of relevant experience in finance, financial management of the projects
• Full Proficiency (level C) in English and Samoan language
• National of Samoa or resident of the country with valid work permit• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance or accounting would be an asset
• Experience in managing or coordinating international, regional, or national projects related to agriculture and the environment is highly desirable. FAO Internship Programme
- The Internship Programme is a learning opportunity aimed at attracting talented young women and men who are strongly motivated to share their new perspectives, innovative ideas and latest research experience in FAO’s domains.The Internship Programme provides selected students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme or recent graduates with the opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with a practical work experience in a field related to the work of FAO. It will enable them to gain a better understanding of FAO’s mandate and programmes. At the same time, the Programme provides FAO with the assistance of qualified individuals specializing in relevant fields.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: candidates must be nationals of FAO Members.
- Education: candidates must be students enrolled in an under-graduate or graduate degree programme in a bona fide educational institution at the time of application, or recent graduates.
- Languages: candidates must have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian). Knowledge of a second FAO official language will be considered an asset.
- Age: candidates should be aged between 21 and 30 at the start of their internship (i.e. internship should start before the candidate turns 31).
- Skills: candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment, have good communication skills and be knowledgeable in the use of basic computer programmes.
- Residence/Visa status: candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment prior to the start of the internship assignment.
- Family relation: candidates with family members (defined as brother, sister, mother, father) employed by FAO under any type of contract are not eligible for the Internship Programme.
The duration of an internship assignment is between 3 and 11 months.
How to apply
The 2026 General Call for Expressions of Interest for Institutional Collaborations will officially open on 15 December 2025.
- Interested candidateds should look out for more information on FAO’s official website
Pro Tip
FAO evaluates candidates using specific behavioural competencies such as Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, Knowledge Sharing, and Continuous Improvement. Instead of generic achievements, rewrite your CV and motivation letter to reflect how your past work demonstrates these exact competencies. For example, instead of writing “coordinated agricultural training,” highlight how you built partnerships with local actors, shared technical knowledge, or introduced process improvements, all of which align directly with FAO’s assessment framework. Candidates who speak FAO’s “competency language” from the start stand out significantly.
- FAO continues to play a vital role in shaping a world free from hunger, and its 2026 opportunities offer a chance for professionals to contribute to global food security and sustainable development. Interested applicants are encouraged to review available roles, prepare strong competency-aligned applications, and submit their materials early.
