National Research Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The National Research Specialist shall operate under the overall guidance and responsibility of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR for Georgia, technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and in coordination with the National Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Provide technical expertise for the data collection planning and analysis, and the development of the Analysis Report on the situation and needs of rural youth in Georgia foreseen under the FAO project. Collaborate with the relevant national and international team members and timely deliver the project outputs responsible for.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Research Specialist has the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct an analysis on the situation and needs of rural youth in Georgia with a focus on the current policy framework and political participation of youth and prepare an Analysis Report (Activity 1.2. of the TCP/GEO/3904 project). • Participate at consultation meetings and workshops to gain information and present the results of the Analysis Report.

To prepare the Analysis Report, the National Research Consultant shall perform the following tasks:

• Prepare the annotated outline for the Analysis Report, including a section on policy recommendations. • Review the research methodology provided by FAO and tailor it to the national context. The methodology shall include the selection of key informants for interviews and participants for the focus group discussions as well as the guiding questions for the qualitative interviews and for the focus group discussions. The tailor-made research methodology shall be used for development of the Analysis Report. • Conduct desk research analyzing relevant statistical data and recent publications related to youth issues as well as taking stock of all relevant policies and policy trends, which could influence the situation of rural youth and their engagement in the agrifood systems in Georgia. • Conduct key informant interviews with representatives of different stakeholders defined in the research methodology. • Conduct focus group discussions with the selected groups of rural youth defined in the research methodology and gain a deeper understanding of their situation, needs, perspectives, expectations and issues related to youth inclusion, empowerment and engagement in agriculture, food systems, and rural development. • Deliver the comprehensive, gender-responsive Analysis Report summarizing the a) findings from desk research, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, including the gender-related differences in the current opportunities and limitations of youth, the current policy framework to address those opportunities and limitations, the experiences and perceptions of youth about political participation and other related issues, and b) recommendations for improving the policy framework.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in social sciences, economics, rural development, international relations, international development or related fields. • At least 8 years of relevant experience in research, of which at least 3 years in the field of youth and/or social inclusion. Research experience in the field of youth in the context of agriculture and rural development and/or generational renewal of farms and/or poverty reduction and/or rural employment will be considered as an asset. • Excellent command of written and spoken English and Georgian languages. • National or resident of Georgia with work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of academic qualifications. • Extent of knowledge and experience related to research in the field of youth and/or social inclusion related issues in the context of agriculture and rural development generational renewal of farms and/or poverty reduction and/or rural employment. • Report and academic writing skills and analytical skills. • Work experience in UN/international organizations.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and diversity of experience related to the above requirements.