Applications Invited for the WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG)

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About the Organization

The World Food Forum (WFF) was launched in 2021 by the Youth Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as an independent network of partners. Hosted within FAO, it serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through youth action, science and innovation, and investment, the WFF forges new paths of action and multi-sector partnerships for agrifood impact at the local, regional and global levels to achieve a more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and hunger-free food future for all.

About the Fellowship

The World Food Forum’s (WFF) Young Scientists Group (YSG) was launched in 2022 with the aim of providing scientific evidence and technical knowledge to the various initiatives of the Forum, including but not limited to, the Youth Assembly, the Youth Innovation Lab and the Youth Education Programme. A primary output of the group is the publication of a biennial report focusing on specific technical issues of particular concern to youth, related to agrifood systems transformation. The publication feeds into the various initiatives of the WFF and acts as a technical and informative document for youth and partners of the WFF.

Core values:

All members of the YSG are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in line with the mission, values and objectives of the WFF. These standards include conduct that embodies professional integrity, responsibility and collaboration, both within the YSG and during external engagements. As part of the WFF commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, we strongly encourage the involvement of women, underrepresented minorities and other disadvantaged groups in the YSG.

Structure:

The work of the YSG is organized into a quarterly plan spread across a two year term. The first year is geared towards different activities and consultations with the WFF Youth Team within FAO’s Office of Youth and Women (OYW), while the second year is mainly dedicated to activities related to the publication of the YSG report, including research, scientific writing and outreach, whilst still supporting different WFF activities. Overall, YSG members have the following duties:

• Provide technical and scientific inputs, where appropriate, contributing to the work of the WFF, with a particular focus on the Youth Education programme, Youth Innovation Lab and Youth Assembly.
• Represent the WFF and the YSG at meetings, events, interviews, podcasts and other forms of external outreach.
• Produce a biennial report on specific issues of particular concern to youth.
• Produce short articles aligned with FAO’s four betters, based on the WFF Youth Team's initiatives and engagements with the Youth Education programme, Youth Innovation Lab and Youth Assembly.

To facilitate communication with the WFF YSG Coordinator and to manage consensus-building within the group, four co-chairs are chosen, representing each working group under the four betters.

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.

YSG members are selected through an open and competitive selection process. The composition of the YSG aims to reflect gender parity and regional balance. Each cohort lasts two years, with the possibility of members reapplying to be part of the following cohort. The term of any individual YSG member shall not exceed a maximum of two cohorts (4 years).

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.

How to Apply

Please submit your application by 22 February 2025.

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Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Research Others