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.
Organizational Setting
The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is FAO’s hub to ensure rights-based and sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind. We build transformative partnerships and proactively engage with key stakeholders, including family farmers, Indigenous Peoples, parliamentarians, academia, research institutions, UN organizations and civil society. We drive a people-centered approach through technical support, capacity development, policy advice and inclusive dialogue.
Within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) provides technical support to Indigenous Peoples and ensures the implementation of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples at FAO corporate level by liaising with regional and country focal points as well as with other technical divisions in FAO. PSUI works with Indigenous Peoples towards achieving FAO’s mandate of freeing the world from hunger and malnutrition, under the overarching frameworks of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.
The Indigenous Peoples Unit has three main objectives: 1. Implement the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples; 2. Provide technical advice to other FAO technical divisions in integrating Indigenous Peoples’ issues into their work; 3. Advocate, Influence key policy processes and open spaces of dialogue between decision makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAO’s mandate. In this context, FAO), through the Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI) within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and ILO Convention 169. FPIC is a fundamental right of Indigenous Peoples, supporting their participation in decisions that affect their rights, resources, and territories. It is integral to ensure inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable outcomes in all FAO activities.
The incumbent will work with Indigenous Peoples within the seven pillars of work and two focus areas, providing technical insights into the work of FAO across technical divisions.
The seven pillars of work are: 1 – Indigenous Peoples’ food systems; 2 – Free, Prior and Informed consent; 3 – Advocacy and capacity development; 4 – Indicators for food security; 5 – Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and climate change; 6 – Governance of natural resources – collective rights and VGGT; 7 – Coordination. The two areas of work are: 1 – Indigenous Women; 2 – Indigenous Youth.
Reporting Lines
The specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the PSUI Unit, the Coordinator of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, the Technical Officer of FPIC and the Indigenous Youth coordinator, as appropriate, in close collaboration with the members of the Indigenous Peoples Unit, other Units within PSU, and in coordination with other FAO technical units. If/when activities are carried out at country level, the specialist will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional office.
Technical Focus
Work with Indigenous Peoples within the seven pillars of work and two focus areas, providing technical insights into the work of FAO across technical divisions.
Establishment of strategic partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations; Advocate, influence key policy processes and open spaces of dialogue between decision makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAO’s mandate
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support the implementation of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples by working on the seven pillars of work and two thematic areas of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit and undertaking the necessary measures to ensure their successful and smooth implementation.
• Provide support for the preparation and follow-up on the implementation of Letters of Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding related to the pillars of work of the Unit.
• Assist FAO technical units and project teams in integrating and implementing Indigenous Peoples work with special attention to the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) into their projects and programmes.
• Provide assistance to organize and deliver capacity development sessions on Indigenous Peoples and FPIC for FAO staff in Headquarters and decentralized offices.
• Support the integration of FPIC into the FAO project cycle (including GEF and GCF projects).
• Advise on FPIC-related content in project design, review, and implementation, particularly for high-risk or Indigenous Peoples-focused initiatives.
• Assist with the development of regional FPIC focal point networks.
• Support in delivering, designing and implementing FPIC training sessions (virtual and in-person) at HQ, regional, and national levels.
• Support the analysis and make recommendations for relevant projects and programmes submitted to PSUI by the FAO Programme and Project Review Committee.
• Support the Unit in activities related to the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, the Rome Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous Peoples’ focal points network at regional and national level.
• Support the Unit in the implementation of activities related to Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, in particular within the framework of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, the initiative of profiling of Indigenous Peoples’ food systems and related technical publications.
• Support the activities related to Indigenous Collective Rights to natural resources, land and territories, including case studies and the Indigenous Peoples’ Collective Rights Working Group.
• Assist in the organization and delivery of global, regional and national technical meetings and workshops.
• Review and contribute to the preparation of technical reports, the gathering of lessons learned, case studies and project information related to FAO activities involving Indigenous Peoples.
• Review and contribute to the preparation of technical studies on specific topics related to FAO activities involving Indigenous Peoples, based on academic bibliography and in collaboration with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organization, research and technical institutes.
• Liaise with FAO divisions as needed to obtain clearances, technical support and monitoring of ongoing and future activities.
• Support the Unit’s efforts related to resource mobilization for technical work between FAO and Indigenous Peoples.