Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting: 13/Mar/2026

Closure Date: 03/Apr/2026, 4:59:00 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, forbetter production,better nutrition,a better environment,anda better life, leaving no one behind.

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

OrganizationalSetting

The FAO Liaison Office for North America (FAOLOW), located in Washington, D.C., plays a key role in advancing FAO’s mandate 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 States and Canada, each countries’ legislators and/or parliamentarians, civil society, academia, and the private sector in the region.

The position is located in Washington D.C., United States (US).

ReportingLines

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.

TechnicalFocus

The Political Affairs Officer plays a key role in engaging with Congressional and Parliamentary offices and committees, as well as monitoring and reporting on related processes and developments. He/she supports FAO’s partnerships with the U.S. Congress and the Canadian Parliament and serves as a point of contact on a wide range of thematic issues with both the United States and Canada.

KeyResults

The establishment and maintenance of relations with members/staff of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament, contribution to and promotion of FAO key activities and priorities.

KeyFunctions

• Supports FAO’s collaboration with governmental counterparts to facilitate programme coordination and promotion.

• Engages and builds relationships with priority committee and staff of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament to message FAO’s added value.

• Monitors and identifies national activities relevant to FAO’s mandate.

• Supports FAO participation in congressional and parliamentary forums, reviews areas to improve effectiveness of FAO communication strategies and approaches.

• Promotes knowledge sharing and awareness within FAO of U.S. Congressional and Canadian Parliamentary perspective and priorities on identified activities and assists FAO units with networking.

• Produces a variety of information-related documents and reports and drafts replies to inquiries from national partners on subjects falling within the competence of FAO.

• Supports work to tailor FAO thematic issue resources (publications, speakers, data, etc.) to specific committee priorities and language.

• Works with the Senior Liaison Officer and the Director of LOW to capitalize on opportunities to raise FAO’s profile and mobilize increased support for the Organization.

• Cultivates strong working level relationships with issue area organizational counterparts within the Organization.

• Works with other FAOLOW programme staff to identify and access materials tailored to the priorities of U.S. and Canadian government agencies; tailor these materials to agency interests, language, and culture.

• In the U.S. and Canada, engages with the broader community around specific thematic issues, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Identifies which actors have the potential to be allies in advocacy to U.S. and Canadian government agencies.

• Supports FAO colleagues, including Core Leaders on duty travel to the region, and meeting with members or staff of the U.S. Congress or Canadian Parliament.

• Represents FAOLOW in UN weekly meetings in Washington D.C. to discuss national dynamics/priority areas.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

MinimumRequirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, social science, journalism, political science, international relations or related fields.

• Five years of relevant experience in development work, interacting with Congressional and Parliamentary partners and with governments, international organizations, including research institutions, civil society and the private sector.

• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/FunctionalSkills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, 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 legislative matters, vote schedules and their significance.

• Extent and relevance of experience in preparing tailored materials for congressional and parliamentary audiences, including fact sheets and talking points.

• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the U.S. and Canadian parliamentary processes, offices and committees is desirable.

• Work experience in the multilateral sphere is highly desirable.

• Ability to translate complex and technical communications to a wide and varied audience in a simple and concise manner.

• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

• Good knowledge of thematic areas relevant to sustainable agrifood systems is an asset.