The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has opened five home-based consultancy positions across legal affairs, agriculture, tourism, disability-inclusive design and global policy facilitation. These roles support FAO’s mission to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems worldwide. Below is a summary of each opportunity, including key requirements and deadlines.
FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Qualified female applicants and nationals of non- and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.
1. Legal Specialist (Development Law)
Location: Home-Based
Duration: Up to 11 months
Deadline: 16 August 2026, 11:59 PM
FAO’s Legal Office (LEGN) is building a roster of legal experts to support the review and drafting of national and regional legislation in areas such as veterinary and phytosanitary law, food law, environmental law and agricultural contracts. Successful candidates will assist with legal research, drafting, and capacity-building activities, with possible travel involved.
Key Requirements:
- Advanced university degree in Law or a related field (Bachelor’s + PhD in Law considered an asset).
- At least 1 year of relevant practical or research experience.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English; other UN languages an asset.
2. Coconut Pest and Disease Expert
Location: Home-Based (with travel to Tuvalu)
Duration: 50 working days over 11 months (WAE)
Deadline: 17 August 2026, 11:59 PM
This role supports Tuvalu’s coconut pest and disease management under FAO project TCP/TUV/4101. The expert will lead field assessments, coordinate laboratory diagnostics, train national officers, and help develop a National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy.
Key Requirements:
- Advanced degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, entomology or a related field (bachelor’s + 2 extra years of experience accepted).
- At least 5 years of experience in coconut agronomy, pest/disease diagnosis or integrated pest management.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English. Pacific region experience highly regarded.
3. Tourism-Linked Farming Expert
Location: Home-Based (with travel to Cook Islands and Fiji)
Duration: 50 working days over 11 months (WAE)
Deadline: 17 August 2026, 11:59 PM
Under project TCP/SAP/4105, this expert will strengthen links between tourism operators and smallholder farmers in Cook Islands and Fiji, designing commercially viable tourism-linked agrifood systems, market diagnostics and country strategy papers.
Key Requirements:
- Advanced degree in agriculture, agribusiness, rural development, tourism development or related field (bachelor’s + 2 extra years accepted).
- At least 5 years of experience in agrifood systems, value chains, market linkages or agritourism.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
4. Accessible Greenhouse Design Expert
Location: Home-Based (Uzbekistan project)
Duration: Up to 11 months (25 working days)
Deadline: 17 August 2026, 11:59 PM
This role supports the “Inclusive Employment through Accessible Greenhouses” project in Uzbekistan, developing the country’s first validated accessible greenhouse design standard for persons with disabilities, and providing technical quality assurance during pilot construction at six institutions.
Key Requirements:
- Advanced degree in agricultural engineering, horticulture, architecture, civil engineering or related field (bachelor’s + 2 extra years accepted).
- Minimum 8 years of international experience in greenhouse design or controlled-environment agriculture, with demonstrated experience in accessible/universal design.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English; Russian is an asset.
5. Global Initiative Facilitator (TERRA)
Location: Home-Based
Duration: 4 months
Deadline: 28 August 2026, 11:59 PM
The Facilitator will coordinate PAS TERRA, a global initiative to scale up agroecology and agroforestry, acting as the primary focal point between the six founding organizations (including Brazil’s Ministry of Agrarian Development, FAO, IFAD and CGIAR), managing governance, partnerships and resource mobilization.
Key Requirements:
- Advanced degree in Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, Rural Development, Public Policy, International Relations or related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in sustainable rural development, agroecology, landscape restoration or climate action.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Portuguese.
- Must be a national of Brazil.
How to Apply
- Visit the FAO recruitment website: Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile.
- Ensure your profile is accurate and complete, including employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile.
- Submit your application before the relevant deadline – only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
- Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted.
For help or queries, register with FAO’s client support team: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO is committed to workforce diversity in gender, nationality, background and culture, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and discrimination. All applications are treated with strict confidentiality.
