The Agriculture programme of work is centered around: sectoral engagement and technical support with regulatory bodies and public financing mechanisms; engagement and action with farmer organisations and Indigenous Peoples groups; transforming multinational supply chains at company level and in productive landscapes; and, developing tools and knowledge products for effective deployment in the agricultural sector, for which the Head will ensure is supported by a sustainable project portfolio.

The Agriculture Team works in close collaboration with IUCN’s Enterprise and Investment Team and Business Engagement Unit, and across IUCN’s programmatic centres (such as the multi-lateral finance team), regional offices, members and commissions to ensure an aligned thematic programme of activities.

The Food and Agricultural Systems Team (FAST) in the IUCN Centre for Societal Transformation is based at the IUCN Headquarters and its work is structured around three streams of work: Policy, Knowledge & Capacity, and Landscape & Value Chain Action.

FAST works in close collaboration with other teams in the Center for Societal Transformation (and in particular the Climate Change and Human Rights teams) and across IUCN’s programmatic centres (such as the Business & Nature team or the multi-lateral finance team), regional offices, members and commissions to ensure an aligned thematic programme of activities.

The Landscape & Value Chain Action stream of FAST’s portfolio focuses on Indigenous People’s engagement, private sector engagement, including producers and their organisations, agri-businesses corporates and Financial Institutions to motivate and implement place-based forest & landscape restoration, sustainable land management and regenerative agriculture around the world.

FAST engages with multinational companies to help them frame their nature-positive actions along their supply chains. FAST is developing and piloting tools to assess and implement restoration interventions in international agribusiness supply chains while building a bigger momentum for private investment in restoration and sustainable land management. In working alongside multinational companies, there is a strong focus on forest and farm producers’ organisations and developing innovative financing mechanisms for those organisations and SMEs, such as for restorative action and agroecological practices. Forest and farm producer organisations are small business entities with a wide and varied membership, making them excellent vectors of change for a nature-positive production system.

The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a programme launched in 2012 dedicated to empowering forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs), including women, youth and indigenous peoples, as primary change agents for climate resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods. The FFF operates through a unique partnership structure, bringing together the expertise of four key organizations:

• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations): Leads the management and in-country operations of the FFF, ensuring its effective implementation on the ground
• IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development): Focuses on knowledge generation, monitoring, and learning activities. They play a crucial role in capturing and disseminating best practices within the FFF
• Agricord: Provides vital organizational support to FFPOs, helping them improve their structures and operational efficiency
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Leverages its global network to engage regional and global FFPOs and facilitate their active participation and consultation in international policy fora such as the UNFCCC and CBD COPs. IUCN promotes the participation of FFPOs in broader dialogues on sustainable landscapes and climate change and strengthens the communications and advocacy capacities of FFPOs.

The FFF equips FFPOs with the tools and resources they need to secure their rights and manage their resources sustainably, develop strong business models and improve market access for their products, contribute to climate-resilient landscapes and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These terms of reference aim to secure the services of a Young Professional who will support the ongoing implementation of the FFF program.

The primary purpose of the assignment is to work closely with regional and global Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs), providing both technical and administrative support, and contributing to the overall implementation of the project. However, the YP will also support the team with private sector engagement.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Forest and Farm Facility Management Inputs

• Attend meetings with other team members involved in the FFF project, taking minutes, as needed
• Preparation of IUCN inputs for Steering Committee, Donor Support Group, and Annual Retreat meetings
• Provide IUCN inputs for all FFF reports (e.g. progress, annual and final) and for new concept development, in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Coordinator
• Coordinate IUCN feedback from regional and global organizations on FFF impact evaluation
• Support the organization of online events of the FFF including global convening meetings, bringing together FFF stakeholders virtually
• Explore membership of FOs to IUCN and link with membership focal points

Technical support to regional and global forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs)

• Monitor the end dates of Letters of Agreement (Lo As) and initiate the reporting processes by requesting FFPOs’ reports at required times.
• Review interim and final technical and financial reports, ensuring they meet FAO requirements, are in the correct format, and include necessary FAO forms. Provide feedback and request adjustments as needed.
• Support amendments to existing Lo As and the creation of new Lo As as required.
• Directly coordinate with FFPOs on the drafting of activities for new Lo As.
• Directly coordinate with FFPOs to address questions regarding reporting and Lo As, and follow up on deadlines.
• Act as a liaison between FFPOs and other projects within the Food and Agricultural team’s portfolio, and other relevant IUCN projects.

Note: Languages of the LOAs will be in English French and Spanish.

Communications

• Liaise with farmers’ unions and Indigenous Peoples Organizations to support communications and advocacy campaigns around key international events (e.g. COPs, World Conservation Congress, etc.)
• Support and facilitate farmers and indigenous peoples representatives presence at key policy dialogues (development of a calendar and data repository of potential speakers, organize logistics of attendance between organizers and participants, summary and analysis of discussions during the events)
• Provide technical and logistical support (such as assistance with the development of session concept notes and liaising on logistical aspects) to side events being organized at key international events. Support will not require travel to these locations.
• Develop web stories, social media posts and other communication material with the support of the line manager and communication officer.

Private Sector Engagement

• Support the Senior Programme Coordinator in building partnerships with the private sector. This could include doing research, organizing and following-up on meetings, preparing and disseminating minutes, preparing inputs to concepts, due-diligence processes, partnership agreements, etc.