Employment at FAO

The Fellows Programme is designed to attract fellows, typically PhD students, researchers and professors, who have an advanced level of relevant technical knowledge and experience in any field of the Organization.  They are willing to fulfil their specialized learning objectives and at the same time, contribute their technical expertise and knowledge through time-bound arrangements with FAO.  Assignments should be in line with FAO's Strategic Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO does not provide any remuneration to fellows.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: candidates must be nationals of FAO Members.
  • Education: candidates must possess a graduate or post-graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) or be enrolled in a PhD programme.
  • Languages: candidates must have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian). Knowledge of a second FAO official language will be considered an asset.
  • Age: no age limits.
  • Skills: candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment, have good communication skills and be knowledgeable in the use of basic computer programmes.
  • Previous experience: candidates should have at least two years of relevant working or research experience in one of the fields of the Organization.
  • Family relation: candidates with family members (defined as brother, sister, mother, father, son or daughter) employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not be eligible for the Fellows Programme.
How to apply

Apply to the “Call for Expression of Interest”, which is published on our career portal. Interested candidates should apply on-line through the career portal by submitting an on-line application together with a research proposal.

Only selected candidates will be contacted.

Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered for an assignment are requested to re-apply to the new Call.

For more details, please visit the Fellows Programme FAQ page.