La FAO recrute un Spécialiste juridique national sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition, Guyana
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the country offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government 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.
Guyana has significantly advanced its food security and nutrition (FSN) agenda over the last decade. However, the lack of access to food and nutritional inadequacy are the main challenges to FSN. While trends show a decreasing prevalence of undernourishment, the adverse impacts of a lack of dietary energy for a healthy, active life are reflected in nutritional indicators such as, prevalence of obesity in the adult population: 20.2% compared to the global average of 13.1%; and prevalence of low birthweight: 15.6% compared to the global average of 14.6% (FAO, FIDA, OMS, PMA y UNICEF, 2021).
In addition, as the country’s economy grows, and disposable income increases, unhealthy food choices are expected to drive an increase in prevalence of obesity and its co-morbidities, namely, nutrition-related chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This will exacerbate what is already recognized as a public health issue in the country. Improved governance of the determinants of food access and nutritional adequacy will greatly help Guyana to strengthen its FSN and avoid the pitfalls that have been seen in other countries that have transitioned their economies in similar ways.
The FAO requires a Specialist based on the request of the Ministry of Legal Affairs of Guyana to FAO for technical assistance in the development of a Food Security and Nutrition Bill (FSN Bill). This Bill is important to define rights and entitlements, assign mandates and responsibilities to all relevant actors, establish implementation and accountability mechanisms, entail budgetary commitments, and provide sanctions and remedies for non-compliance with FSN-related requirements and responsibilities. Moreover, adopting a framework law on FSN would position Guyana as the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to move in this positive direction to deliver on its international legal commitments and fulfil the right to adequate food for all citizens.
Reporting Lines
The FAO requires a National Legal Specialist on Food Security and Nutrition who will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Guyana and the Legal Officer, Development Law Service (LEGN) towards project implementation.
Technical Focus
This Specialist will finalize a legal assessment Report on FSN in Guyana in order to present its main findings and conclusions at a workshop. Based on the results of that workshop, the incumbent will draft a proposal of a FSN Bill for Guyana for validation.
Key Results
Draft the FSN Bill and organize and execute validation workshop
Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the International Legal Consultant and in close collaboration with the National FSN Expert, he or she shall:
• Review and update a previous legal assessment Report on FSN in Guyana drafted in this same project,
• Present the main findings of the abovementioned report to the multi-sectoral task force, highlighting the main normative, institutional mandate, coordination and regulatory gaps and barriers in FSN legislation and making recommendations on how to address existing gaps and limitations.
• Propose a succinct FSN roadmap towards considering those recommendations in national regulatory frameworks, including a roadmap for adopting the FSN Bill (in coordination with National FSN Expert).
• Present findings, recommendations and roadmap of the legal assessment and finalize legal report based on the feedback received and agreements reached therein.
– Provide support at consultation workshop(s) organized together with the FSN expert:
– Participate in workshops
– Present findings & recommendations & roadmap of legal report to stakeholders at consultation workshop.
– Capacity building on legal aspects, as needed.
– Draft legal aspects of workshop reports, as needed.
• Draft the FSN Bill under the guidance of the international legal consultant and in close collaboration with the FSN national expert.
• Organize validation workshop on the draft bill under guidance of International Legal Consultant and with support from FSN National Expert:
– Present draft FSN Bill at validation workshop
– Collect comments thereon and improve the draft accordingly
– Draft workshop report.
• Assist the International Legal Consultant in developing and facilitating trainings on the legal aspects of FSN, in order to orient stakeholders to the project and obtain their commitment to the project’s objectives as well as to build capacities on FSN.
• Under the guidance of the International Legal Consultant and with support from the FSN National Expert, as needed, develop informative material on the main content of the FSN Bill (explanatory notes or legal brief).
• Perform any other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• National or Resident of Guyana
• Bachelor’s degree in law
• At least 5 years of legal experience
• Working knowledge of English (level C); limited knowledge of Spanish (Level B) is desirable.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/ Functional Skills
• Experience on food and agriculture matters is desired
• Experience working in the public sector is desired
• Experience organizing consultations and working with governmental and non-governmental actors is desired
• Excellent communication skills both oral and in writing.
Date limite : 31/10/2022.