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The Society for International Development (SID) seeks a motivated, committed, and creative person to join its team as the Senior Programme Officer for its Agroecology, Food Justice & Sovereignty Programme. The successful candidate will support SID’s rights-based and knowledge-driven engagement and advocacy on food governance, food sovereignty and food systems transformation, agroecology, and nutrition, including interconnected social, economic, gender, and ecological justice domains. 

Established in 1957, SID is an international network that aims to promote socio-economic justice and foster democratic participation in development. Through programs and activities at regional and global levels, SID strengthens participatory knowledge and encourages collective action on people-and-planet-centered development strategies. SID’s activities are facilitated by an international secretariat with staff working remotely from different locations worldwide and two main offices in Rome (Italy) and Nairobi (Kenya). 

The successful candidate will be expected to continue SID’s well-recognized role within the pool of co-facilitating organizations of food collectives, supporting and completing the leadership of small-scale food producers and their communities. At the same time, s/he will also focus on re-designing SID’s policy research and advocacy engagements within key development fora, including forging partnerships, mobilizing resources, and contributing to SID’s more comprehensive knowledge generation and sharing efforts. 

JOB DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

Under SID’s Management Team's oversight and close collaboration with the different programmatic focal points, the successful candidate will contribute to implementing SID’s Agroecology, Food Justice & Sovereignty Programme based on SID’s overall strategy. The key focus and objectives of the work plan will embrace the following: 

  • Developing and implementing SID’s Agroecology, Food Justice & Sovereignty Programme strategy and plan in close connection with other programmatic streams of the organization 

  • Leading SID’s engagement in the CFS process through its active participation, including facilitating roles as necessary, within the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism 

  • Leading SID’s engagement in Food Systems, Agroecology, and Nutrition governance, and policy debates beyond the CFS, including by participating in collective processes beyond the CSIPM 

  • Embracing a systemic approach for food system transformation by following up SID’s engagement in nexus areas such as sustainable healthy diets, anti-microbial resistance (AMR)/One Health, and the financialization of food and health 

  • Overseeing the development and implementation of the programme’s budget and supporting resource mobilization efforts 

  • Contributing to SID’s knowledge-generating and sharing initiatives by authoring or contributing to policy briefs on relevant issues, blog articles, as well as articles for SID’s Development Journal, among others 

  • Participating actively in SID’s internal team process to ensure programmatic synergy and contribute to shared management, communication, and administrative efforts 

Candidates will be assessed against the following requirements:

Professional skills 

  • Advanced university degree related to agriculture, food security, and nutrition, or development studies, or an equivalent combination of a relevant undergraduate degree and related work experience and on-the-job training 

  • At least five years of experience in policy work and advocacy, process facilitation, and coordination related to international food, agriculture, and nutrition issues. Experience with resource mobilization would be extremely valuable 

  • Substantial experience in inter-governmental policy dialogue and decision-making, especially in the UN context. Experience and professional motivation for working with civil society organizations and social movements would be appreciated 

  • Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills 

  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and diplomatic skills 

  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in a second UN language (with preference for Spanish or French) would be advantageous 

  • Familiarity with digital platforms and social media 

Personal skills 

  • Can work independently and adapt to a flexible working schedule 

  • Can work with tight deadlines and (occasionally) under stress 

  • Committed, responsible, and loyal to the organization and its values 

  • Can work in a multicultural environment, respecting and appreciating diversity 

  • Is a team player and appreciates working in teams with diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences 

  • Problem-solving, proactive, and entrepreneurial attitude within the team 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Applications should be sent to vacancies@sidint.org by 23:59 (CET), 31 May 2024. 10 June 2024 (deadline extended). Please specify in the message's subject “Vacancy Programme Lead, FJS - Name_Surname”. 

Interested candidates should provide the following: 

  • A motivation letter on how the candidate fits the position and meets the selection criteria 

  • Curriculum Vitae 

  • Names and contact details of three referees.  

 

SELECTION MODALITIES & SCHEDULE 

SID is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from nationals from the global South are particularly encouraged. All applications will be confidentially screened, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview with a selection board. The interviews will be conducted virtually from 6 June 2024. 

SID is keen to activate the position as soon as possible. Candidates must disclose their terms of availability during the interview process.  

CONTRACTING DETAILS 

The Senior Programme Officer post can either be managed remotely (provided the candidate’s country of residence maintains a double-taxation agreement with Italy) or be based in one of SID’s offices in Rome (Italy) or Nairobi (Kenya). No relocation will be required, and no relocation benefits are available. Beyond the agreed duty station, occasional international travel, as deemed necessary and appropriate, will be required. 

The initial offer would be for a two-year contract with the possibility of a longer-term extension dependent on performance, team integration, and resource availability. SID provides all its employees with a full employment package (including annual and sick leave, maternity/paternity benefits, and medical and pension benefits) independently of their location.  

SID also offers a competitive compensation package that aligns with the sector. More information will be communicated to shortlisted candidates and will be adjusted to the candidates’ geographical location. More detailed information will be shared during the interviews.