FAO Is Hiring a Banana Value Chain Specialist – Remote Home-Based Consultant Opportunity|Deadline: September 8, 2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for a Banana Value Chain Specialist (Decent Work and Occupational Health & Safety) to support global efforts to improve labour conditions, occupational health and safety, gender equality and sustainability across banana supply chains.

This is a home-based consultant opportunity with a duration of nine months, with the possibility of extension. The position is particularly relevant to professionals with experience in occupational health and safety, labour rights, decent work, public health, capacity development or related areas.

The application deadline is September 8, 2026, at 4:59 a.m., based on the time settings stated in the vacancy announcement.

Position Overview

The role is located within FAO’s Markets and Trade Division (EST) and supports the organization’s work with the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The World Banana Forum brings together stakeholders across the banana sector to address challenges affecting the industry. Its Working Group 3 on Labour Rights focuses on promoting decent work throughout global banana supply chains.

The successful consultant will specifically contribute to the Banana Occupational Health and Safety Initiative (BOHESI) while supporting the broader decent work activities of the World Banana Forum.

Key Details

• Position: Banana Value Chain Specialist – Decent Work and Occupational Health & Safety
• Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Job Type: Non-staff opportunity
• Contract Type: Consultant / Personal Services Agreement
• Location: Home-Based
• Duration: 9 months, with possibility of extension
• Job Posted: August 12, 2026
• Application Deadline: September 8, 2026
• Organizational Unit: Markets and Trade Division (EST)
• Reference: 2601742

The position does not list a conventional FAO staff grade because it is being recruited as a consultant/Personal Services Agreement.

About the Role

The specialist will report directly to the Project Officer of FAO’s World Banana Forum, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Economist and Team Leader of the Responsible Global Value Chains team in EST.

The central focus will be supporting the implementation, monitoring and reporting of BOHESI while contributing to initiatives promoting decent work throughout banana value chains.

This includes technical assistance, research, capacity development, stakeholder coordination and development of practical occupational health and safety resources.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to support a wide range of activities, including:

• Supporting the operations of the World Banana Forum’s Working Group 3 on Labour Rights.
• Contributing to work promoting decent work, gender equality and freedom of association.
• Supporting implementation of WG03 work plans, projects and activities.
• Assisting with the implementation, monitoring and reporting of BOHESI.
• Supporting capacity development activities and pilot projects in banana-producing countries.
• Developing and disseminating occupational health and safety tools, manuals, training materials and guidance.
• Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into occupational health and safety resources.
• Supporting Training-of-Trainers programmes.
• Contributing to capacity development for producers, workers, producer organizations and national institutions.
• Providing technical support and coordination for field activities.
• Conducting research on occupational health and safety, labour rights and responsible business practices.
• Researching trends and best practices involving due diligence, grievance mechanisms, gender equity, living wages and living incomes.
• Preparing reports and supporting other technical and organizational activities required by the WBF Secretariat.

Educational Requirements

Applicants should have an advanced university degree from an institution recognized through the International Association of Universities/UNESCO framework.

Relevant fields include:

• Social Sciences.
• Occupational Health and Safety.
• Public Health.
• Labour Studies.
• International Relations.
• Public Policy.
• Other disciplines relevant to FAO’s work.

Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may also be considered, but they must have two additional years of relevant professional experience in related fields.

Academic credentials must meet FAO’s requirements concerning recognized and accredited institutions.

Professional Experience

Applicants must have at least one year of relevant professional experience in areas such as:

• Occupational health and safety.
• Labour rights.
• Capacity development.

Experience in related fields can strengthen an application, particularly where candidates can demonstrate practical involvement in decent work, public health, labour standards or sustainability programmes.

Language Requirement

A key requirement for the position is working knowledge of Spanish at Level C.

Knowledge of English is desirable.

Candidates should therefore ensure that their language capabilities are accurately reflected in their FAO application profile.

Technical and Functional Skills

FAO is looking for candidates with practical knowledge and experience relevant to occupational health, labour rights and decent work.

Desirable technical capabilities include:

• Experience in occupational health and safety programmes.
• Experience in labour rights initiatives.
• Knowledge of decent work.
• Experience with gender equity programmes.
• Public health programme experience.
• Understanding of international OHS and labour-rights frameworks.
• Knowledge of due diligence standards.
• Experience developing training materials.
• Experience delivering capacity development activities.
• Experience supporting Training-of-Trainers programmes.
• Strong report-writing abilities.
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management capabilities.

Knowledge of the fruit sector and familiarity with FAO’s working environment are considered advantages.

Additional Selection Criteria

FAO will also consider the extent of a candidate’s experience in capacity development, network facilitation and technical assistance related to decent work.

Additional value may be attached to:

• Previous experience with UN agencies.
• Experience with major international organizations.
• Agricultural-sector experience.
• Experience in the fresh produce industry.
• Knowledge of international labour and occupational health standards.

Candidates should therefore highlight specific achievements rather than simply listing responsibilities in their CV or application profile.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out?

The role offers an opportunity to contribute to international work addressing labour conditions and occupational health and safety within a major global agricultural value chain.

Bananas are an important internationally traded agricultural commodity, and improving working conditions across the sector requires collaboration between governments, producers, workers, civil society organizations and international institutions.

Through the World Banana Forum and BOHESI, the successful specialist will contribute to efforts involving multiple stakeholders across banana-producing countries.

The role could therefore be valuable for professionals interested in:

• Sustainable agriculture.
• Responsible global value chains.
• Occupational health and safety.
• Labour rights.
• Decent work.
• Gender equality.
• Agricultural development.
• Public health.
• International development.
• Responsible business conduct.

Home-Based Working Arrangement

The position is home-based, providing flexibility for the selected consultant to work remotely.

However, the role involves coordination with stakeholders across different organizations and potentially different geographic locations. Strong communication, organization and time-management skills will therefore be essential.

Candidates should be comfortable managing multiple assignments independently while meeting deadlines and maintaining effective communication with project stakeholders.

FAO’s Commitment to Diversity and Integrity

FAO states that it is committed to workforce diversity across gender, nationality, background and culture.

Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals from non- and under-represented FAO Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The organization also emphasizes high standards of integrity and professional conduct and maintains a zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Selected candidates may undergo reference and background checks.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official FAO recruitment portal.

Candidates should:

1. Visit the FAO recruitment website.
2. Create or complete their online profile.
3. Provide accurate employment and academic records.
4. Include relevant language skills.
5. Attach a letter of motivation.
6. Review the completed application carefully.
7. Submit the application through the FAO recruitment system before the deadline.

FAO states that only applications received through its recruitment portal will be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date.

Important Application Warning

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process, including application, interviews or processing.

Applicants should also be aware that FAO verifies academic qualifications through recognized education databases and may request authorization for verification of employment, education, character and other relevant records.

Candidates should therefore provide accurate information throughout the application process.

Application Deadline

The official closing date is:

September 8, 2026 at 4:59 a.m.

The vacancy notice explains that the displayed closing time is based on the date and time settings of the applicant’s personal device, so candidates should not wait until the final hours to submit.

Final Thoughts

The FAO Banana Value Chain Specialist – Decent Work and Occupational Health & Safety position offers an opportunity for an experienced professional to contribute to international efforts supporting safer workplaces, labour rights, gender equality and sustainable agricultural value chains.

The nine-month home-based consultancy, with possible extension, combines technical research, capacity development, stakeholder coordination and occupational health and safety work.

Professionals with relevant qualifications, at least one year of experience and working knowledge of Spanish should carefully review the eligibility requirements and consider applying.

With a focus on the global banana sector and FAO’s World Banana Forum, the position could be particularly valuable for candidates seeking to build or strengthen careers in international development, decent work, occupational health and safety, sustainable agriculture and responsible value chains.

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