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Description
Use behavioural science to help transform global agrifood systems.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is enriching its roster of behavioural scientists to support cutting-edge work across countries, regions, and global programmes. Facilitated by FAO’s Office of Innovation (OIN), this roster feeds expertise to interested parties across the Organization working at the intersection of science, policy, and real-world impact—applying behavioural insights to improve how agrifood systems work for people and planet.
Why FAO?
FAO leads global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda by transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Behavioural science is a growing pillar of this work—and OIN is at the forefront of embedding it across FAO’s programmes worldwide.
Responsibilities
You’ll apply behavioural science to some of the world’s most pressing challenges—working with FAO teams and partners to design, test, and scale behaviourally informed solutions. Depending on assignment, you may support, coordinate, or lead work such as:
- Designing and running behavioural diagnostics, formative research, and experiments
- Applying stepwise behavioural approaches (e.g. Define–Diagnose–Design–Test–Scale)
- Co-designing and piloting behaviourally informed interventions in the field
- Facilitating behavioural design sprints and co-innovation workshops
- Developing toolkits, playbooks, and frameworks adapted to agrifood systems
- Translating evidence into insights for technical and non-technical audiences
- Identifying pathways for scaling and policy uptake
Assignments are short-term, ranging from days or weeks up to 11 months.
Requirements
You’re a behavioural scientist with 1-9 years of applied experience who enjoys translating theory into practice and working in multidisciplinary, international settings. You likely bring:
- A degree in behavioural science, behavioural economics, psychology, decision sciences, sociology, economics, or related fields (advanced degree an asset)
- Experience applying behavioural insights through research, experimentation, or design
- Familiarity with qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods
- Experience with behavioural design, prototyping, or user testing
- Comfort working across teams and managing projects in complex environments
- The ability to translate complex behavioural concepts into simple, real-world language
- Working knowledge of English; additional UN languages are an asset (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian)
Experience in agriculture, food systems, development contexts, or the UN system is highly valued. See Jobs at FAO weblink under "How to apply" for official requirements.
Additional Information
This call is to populate a roster.
Candidates admitted into the roster may be contacted for future assignments aligned with FAO needs.