Vacancies and How to Get a Job at Food and Agriculture Organization – FAO (Salary, Roles & Application Guide)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is recruiting an Institutional and Sectoral Coordinating and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This six-month opportunity is suitable for experienced professionals with expertise in climate change adaptation, institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement.
For candidates seeking FAO jobs in Sierra Leone 2026, this role offers an opportunity to support national climate adaptation planning while working with government institutions, development partners and civil society organisations.
Applications close on 26 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m., according to the vacancy notice.
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised UN agency working to improve food security and support sustainable agriculture and food systems worldwide.
In Sierra Leone, FAO is working with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on a climate adaptation project designed to strengthen climate-risk management. The project includes vulnerability assessments, improved institutional coordination and broader participation in climate action.
FAO recruitment opportunities can be competitive, particularly for specialist positions requiring advanced qualifications and relevant project experience. Applicants should therefore demonstrate practical achievements rather than simply list their responsibilities.
Available Position
- Institutional and Sectoral Coordinating and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist – Freetown, Sierra Leone
1. Institutional and Sectoral Coordinating and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Duration: 6 months
Job type: National Project Personnel (NPP), non-staff opportunity
Closing date: 26 October 2026
Salary: Negotiable based on experience
What You’ll Do
The successful candidate will help strengthen coordination among organisations involved in Sierra Leone’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and climate change initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Mapping government institutions, private companies, NGOs, development partners and other stakeholders involved in climate adaptation.
- Helping develop a framework that defines institutional responsibilities and coordination arrangements.
- Drafting terms of reference for the National Adaptation Committee (NAC).
- Preparing an operational manual covering decision-making, reporting, communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Identifying coordination and capacity-building gaps and recommending practical actions.
- Organising stakeholder meetings and workshops at national, regional, district and community levels.
- Developing training materials and delivering capacity-building sessions.
- Preparing reports on stakeholder engagement, training activities and lessons learned.
- Contributing to communication planning for the National Adaptation Plan.
This is a coordination and technical advisory role, not simply an administrative position. The successful applicant will need to bring different organisations together, build agreement and translate plans into workable procedures.
Who This Role Is Best For
This vacancy is best suited to experienced Sierra Leonean professionals with a background in climate change, environmental management, institutional development or related project work.
Applicants must meet these minimum requirements:
- A master's degree in environmental science or climate change.
- At least five years of experience in institutional and sectoral coordination, climate change adaptation projects and stakeholder engagement.
- Working knowledge of English at the required level.
- Sierra Leonean nationality.
Strong analytical, strategic planning, communication and facilitation skills are also important. Experience leading projects or programmes and working with government agencies, civil society and private-sector organisations will be valuable.
Previous involvement in National Adaptation Plan projects, Green Climate Fund readiness initiatives or stakeholder-mapping assignments may strengthen an application.
Estimated Salary
The vacancy notice does not specify a salary figure. Salary details should be confirmed through the official recruitment process.
Estimated salary: Negotiable based on experience.
How to Apply
To apply for this FAO vacancy:
- Click here to apply online
- Submit your application before 26 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Ensure your educational qualifications and employment history are accurately documented. FAO states that it considers higher educational qualifications from institutions recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
How to Increase Your Chances
Show measurable results. Rather than writing that you coordinated stakeholders, explain the number or types of organisations involved, the challenges you addressed and the outcomes achieved.
Highlight relevant climate projects. If you have worked on climate adaptation, environmental policy, disaster risk management or development programmes, explain your specific contribution.
Demonstrate institutional coordination experience. Provide examples of developing terms of reference, coordination frameworks, operational procedures, stakeholder engagement plans or training programmes.
Emphasise local knowledge. Explain your understanding of Sierra Leone's institutions, environmental priorities and the practical challenges of implementing climate adaptation programmes.
Use the selection criteria as a checklist. Address the required qualifications and experience clearly in your application instead of assuming recruiters will identify them from a general CV.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants pursuing FAO recruitment opportunities should avoid these common errors:
- Applying without the required master's degree or five years of relevant experience.
- Submitting a generic CV that does not demonstrate institutional coordination or stakeholder engagement expertise.
- Listing duties without explaining achievements and results.
- Ignoring experience with climate adaptation, National Adaptation Plans or Green Climate Fund readiness projects.
- Waiting until the closing date to submit an application.
- Paying someone who claims to guarantee employment or influence the recruitment process.
FAO states that it does not charge applicants fees at any stage of recruitment, including application processing and interviews.
Final Advice
This vacancy is most appropriate for experienced Sierra Leonean professionals who combine climate change knowledge with institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement skills. Before applying, make sure your qualifications meet the minimum requirements and your application clearly demonstrates relevant project achievements.
For more jobs in Sierra Leone 2026, check the official FAO employment website regularly and verify vacancy details before submitting personal information or application documents.
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