Political Affairs Officer

This is a reopening of the Vacancy Announcement. Candidates who previously applied do not need to submit a new application.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Liaison Officefor North America(FAOLOW), located inWashington,D.C., playsa key role inadvancing FAO'smandate to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty worldwide. Toward this end, the Liaison Office engages in partnership-building, policy dialogue, information sharing, and raising the visibility of the Organization in the region.

FAOLOW is also responsible for the communication, cooperation, and collaboration with the government agencies of the United StatesandCanada,eachcountries'legislatorsand/orparliamentarians,civilsociety,academia,andtheprivatesectorintheregion.

ThepositionislocatedinWashingtonD.C.,UnitedStates (US).

Reporting Lines

The Political Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Liaison Officer and works under the overall guidance of the Director of FAO's Liaison Office for North America, based in Washington D.C.

Technical Focus

The Political Affairs Officer plays a key role in engaging with Congressional and Parliamentary offices and committees, as well as monitoringandreportingonrelatedprocessesanddevelopments.He/shesupportsFAO'spartnershipswiththeU.S.Congressand the Canadian Parliament and serves as a point of contact on a wide range of thematic issues with both the United States and Canada.

Key Results

Theestablishmentandmaintenanceofrelationswithmembers/staffoftheU.S.CongressandCanadianParliament,contributionto and promotion of FAO key activities and priorities.

Key Functions

• Supports FAO's collaboration with governmental counterparts to facilitate programme coordination and promotion.
• EngagesandbuildsrelationshipswithprioritycommitteeandstaffoftheU.S.CongressandCanadianParliament to message FAO's added value.
• MonitorsandidentifiesnationalactivitiesrelevanttoFAO's mandate.
• SupportsFAOparticipationincongressionalandparliamentaryforums,reviewsareastoimproveeffectivenessof FAO communication strategies and approaches.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and awareness within FAO of U.S. Congressional and Canadian Parliamentaryperspective and priorities on identified activities and assists FAO units with networking.
• Producesavarietyofinformation-relateddocumentsandreportsanddraftsrepliestoinquiriesfrom national partnersonsubjectsfallingwithinthecompetenceof FAO.
• Supports work to tailor FAO thematic issue resources (publications, speakers, data, etc.) to specific committee priorities and language.
• WorkswiththeSeniorLiaisonOfficerandtheDirectorofLOWtocapitalizeonopportunitiestoraiseFAO'sprofile and mobilize increased support for the Organization.
• Cultivatesstrongworkinglevelrelationshipswithissueareaorganizationalcounterpartswithinthe Organization.
• Works withother FAOLOW programmestaff toidentifyandaccess materials tailored to the prioritiesof U.S.and Canadian government agencies; tailor these materials to agency interests, language, and culture.
• IntheU.S.andCanada,engageswiththebroader communityaroundspecificthematicissues,includingthe private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• IdentifieswhichactorshavethepotentialtobealliesinadvocacytoU.S.andCanadiangovernment agencies.
• SupportsFAOcolleagues,includingCoreLeadersondutytraveltotheregion,andmeetingwithmembersorstaff of the U.S. Congress or Canadian Parliament.
• RepresentsFAOLOWinUNweeklymeetingsinWashingtonD.C.todiscussnationaldynamics/priority areas.
  
  

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CANDIDATESWILLBEASSESSEDAGAINSTTHE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanceduniversitydegree(Master'sdegreeorequivalent)incommunication,socialscience,journalism,political science, international relations or related fields.
• Five years of relevant experiencein development work, interacting with Congressional and Parliamentary partners and with governments,internationalorganizations,includingresearchinstitutions,civilsocietyandtheprivatesector.
• Workingknowledge(proficiency-levelC)ofEnglishandintermediateknowledge(intermediateproficiency -level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
  
  

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• BuildingEffective Relationships
• KnowledgeSharingandContinuous Improvement
  
  

Technical/Functional Skills

• Workexperienceinmorethanonelocationorareaofwork,particularlyinfieldpositions,is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in outreach for international/intergovernmental initiatives, particularly at the international level.
• Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring and advising organizational leadership on critical legislativematters, vote schedules and their significance.
• Extentandrelevanceofexperienceinpreparingtailoredmaterialsforcongressionalandparliamentaryaudiences, including fact sheets and talking points.
• Extentandrelevanceofexperienceindraftinghigh-qualitywrittenmaterialsforawidevarietyof audiences.
• UnderstandingofFAOpoliciesandprogrammesisconsideredastrong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the U.S. and Canadian parliamentary processes, offices and committees is desirable.
• Workexperienceinthemultilateralsphereishighly desirable.
• Abilitytotranslatecomplexandtechnicalcommunicationstoawideandvariedaudienceinasimpleandconcise manner.
• Workingknowledge(proficiency-levelC)ofFrenchand/orSpanishisan asset.
• Goodknowledgeofthematicareasrelevanttosustainableagrifoodsystemsisan asset.
  
  

Job Posting

13/Mar/2026

Closure Date

10/Apr/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

LOW

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-3

Primary Location

United States-Washington

Duration

Fixed term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number

2010813

CCOG Code

1L03a

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
  
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life , leaving no one behind.