Deadline: February 22, 2025
The WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG) was launched in 2022 as the main body providing scientific evidence and technical knowledge to the various initiatives of the WFF, including, but not limited to, the Youth Assembly, Innovation Lab, and Education Programme. This support culminates in the publication of a biennial report on specific technical issues of particular concern to youth related to agrifood systems transformation.
Working under two-year cohorts, the working composition of the YSG aligns with the FAO Four Betters – better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life – and, through that, follow specific Programme Priority Areas (PPA) to direct their work.
Leveraging FAO areas of expertise and engaging with partners and relevant academic networks, the YSG plays a critical role in providing the WFF with the necessary science-based direction and allows for formal scientific opinions related to documents, statements or action-oriented proposals generated by the participating youth.
Scope of Work
The activities beyond the report fall into three different categories:
- FAO Strategic Framework: YSG members will be looking into Programme Priority Areas (PPAs) under the FAO four betters (see FAO Strategic Framework 2022 – 2031, for more information), in alignment with the ongoing work and priorities of the WFF and the Youth Assembly.
- Regional work: YSG members will be able to support the WFF Youth Assembly, providing advisory support for science-based evidence in writing.
- Scientific support: YSG members will be invited to engage in different WFF initiatives based on demand and expertise required, such as the Youth Skills Hub, the Agrifood Leadership Education Programme, the Youth Towards Zero Food Waste Campaign, the Transformative Research
Challenge, the Youth Food Lab and more.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for joining the YSG is as follows:
- Applicants must have graduated or be enrolled in a graduate degree programme at the time of application.
- Applicants must be under 36 years of age (from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026).
- Applicants must be specialized in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO.
- Applicants must have proficiency in English. Having conducted research work in English is preferred, but not mandatory.
- Applicants must be able to adapt to an international and multicultural environment and have intercultural communication skills.
- As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, we prioritize applications from women, underrepresented minorities and other disadvantaged groups.
Required Documents to be uploaded
- Signed working protocol.
- Updated CV (should highlight major work or research/innovation initiatives carried out or contributions made, list of scientific publications and products, list of presentations at conferences and seminars, soft skills, additional volunteer and professional experiences and/or any previous international experiences).
- Endorsement/recommendation letter by academic or work supervisor, senior department faculty member, scientist or similar.
- Short video (2 min maximum) elaborating on how the candidate would contribute to the YSG.
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