Job Title: FAO Representative in South Sudan
Job Posting Date: 06 January 2026
Application Deadline: 04 February 2026 (01:59 AM)
Duty Station: Juba, South Sudan
Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Grade: P-5 (Senior level)
Contract Type: Fixed-term appointment (2 years, with possibility of extension)
Post Number: 2004331
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for the position of FAO Representative (FAOR) in South Sudan, a senior leadership role central to FAO’s mission of combating hunger, strengthening livelihoods, and transforming agrifood systems in one of the world’s most fragile contexts.
FAO’s Mandate and Global Vision
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union) and operations in over 130 countries, FAO works to ensure that all people have regular access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
Through its Strategic Framework, FAO contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supporting the transformation of agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, aligned with the “Four Betters”:
- Better Production
- Better Nutrition
- Better Environment
- Better Life – leaving no one behind
Environmental sustainability, integrity, accountability and inclusivity are core principles guiding FAO’s operations worldwide.
Organizational Context in South Sudan
The FAO Country Office in South Sudan plays a critical role in supporting national authorities and communities facing chronic food insecurity, climate shocks, conflict-related disruptions and humanitarian emergencies.
FAO Country Offices, headed by FAO Representatives, are mandated to:
- Support governments in designing and implementing policies, programmes and projects in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry and natural resource management;
- Reduce hunger and malnutrition;
- Strengthen resilience and recovery in crisis and post-crisis settings;
- Promote sustainable use of environmental and natural resources.
The FAO Representative in South Sudan will lead FAO’s country programme from Juba, working at the intersection of development, resilience and humanitarian action.
Reporting Lines and Coordination
The FAO Representative is fully accountable for FAO’s country programme, office operations, staff and resources. The incumbent:
- Reports to the Assistant Director-General / Regional Representative for Africa (ADG/RR);
- Works under the technical guidance of the Subregional Coordinator, where applicable;
- Collaborates closely with the Regional Leadership Team, FAO headquarters and decentralized offices.
The FAOR also reports periodically to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), contributes actively to the UN Country Team (UNCT), and supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Where relevant, the FAOR is an active member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).
Technical Focus
The FAO Representative leads FAO’s response to national priorities and sustainable development challenges in South Sudan. This includes:
- Advancing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
- Implementing FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF);
- Leading FAO’s contribution to the UNSDCF, with particular focus on FAO’s Programme Priority Areas (PPAs);
- Advocating for integrated solutions across food security, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, climate adaptation and resilience.
Key Results Expected
The FAOR is expected to:
- Provide strong strategic leadership to the FAO Country Office;
- Represent FAO effectively at the highest national and international levels;
- Strengthen partnerships with government institutions, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society;
- Ensure high-quality delivery, monitoring and reporting of FAO programmes;
- Enhance FAO’s credibility, visibility and impact in South Sudan.
Core Functions and Responsibilities
Representation and Advocacy
- Represent FAO vis-à-vis national authorities, partners and stakeholders;
- Advocate FAO’s policy positions in national fora and media;
- Lead proactive communication strategies to raise public awareness of FAO’s work;
- Support joint UN advocacy and communication, speaking with “one UN voice” on the 2030 Agenda;
- Facilitate national access to FAO’s global knowledge products and public goods;
- Lead FAO’s emergency preparedness, coordination and response at country level, including resource mobilization.
Country Programming and Policy Leadership
- Lead the development and operationalization of the CPF and Country Work Plan (CWP), aligned with national priorities and the UNSDCF;
- Oversee country analysis and contribute to the Common Country Analysis (CCA);
- Ensure FAO’s effective participation in UN joint planning frameworks (UNSDCFs, CAPs, Flash Appeals, Joint Programmes);
- Maintain high-level policy dialogue with government authorities on FAO’s mandate areas.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Strengthen strategic partnerships with governments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs;
- Lead country-level mobilization of extrabudgetary resources;
- Support the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in joint UN positioning and fundraising.
Programme Implementation and Oversight
- Ensure effective, compliant and results-oriented programme implementation;
- Mobilize technical backstopping for FAO projects;
- Act as budget holder for nationally managed projects;
- Monitor and report on FAO’s contributions to national and UN frameworks;
- Address operational issues in real time to minimize financial and reputational risks.
Office, Human Resources and Financial Management
- Lead and manage the FAO Country Office, staff and assets;
- Ensure strict compliance with FAO’s administrative, financial and ethical standards;
- Uphold FAO’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination;
- Guarantee staff security and adherence to UN security regulations;
- Promote gender equality, staff development and well-being;
- Strengthen internal controls, risk management and anti-fraud measures.
Candidate Profile
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, rural development or a related field;
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating field programmes;
- Full proficiency in English (Level C) and intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another FAO official language (French, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese or Russian).
Key Competencies
- Extensive experience in managing country programmes from design to delivery;
- Proven leadership in emergency, recovery and rehabilitation programmes;
- Demonstrated success in resource mobilization;
- Strong negotiation and partnership-building skills with governments and international organizations;
- Strategic thinking, results orientation and excellent communication skills.
Conditions of Service
FAO offers a competitive UN salary and benefits package, including:
- Dependency allowances;
- Rental subsidy;
- Education grant for eligible children;
- Home leave travel;
- 30 working days of annual leave per year;
- Participation in the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund;
- International health insurance and optional life insurance;
- Disability protection.
FAO promotes a positive, inclusive and diverse workplace culture, with flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only through the FAO recruitment portal:
👉 Jobs at FAO
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Complete an accurate and detailed online profile;
- Upload a motivation letter;
- Apply well before the deadline (04 February 2026).
Only qualifications from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) will be considered. FAO does not appoint FAO Representatives to their country of nationality.
Why This Role Matters
The position of FAO Representative in South Sudan offers a rare opportunity to provide high-level leadership in a context where agriculture, livestock and food security are central to peacebuilding, resilience and recovery. The selected candidate will shape FAO’s contribution to national priorities, humanitarian response and long-term development in one of FAO’s most critical country programmes in Africa.
