General
Description of assignment title
Project Associate
Assignment country
Türkiye
Duty stations
Ankara
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
15/12/2026
Duration
6 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal
15. Life on land
Host entity
FAO Turkiye
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Associate UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. Join us in creating a #ZeroHunger world.
Context
The assignment is embedded within the project “Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainable Management of Egirdir Lake in Türkiye for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation (SER-SEL)”, implemented by FAO Türkiye with support from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. Egirdir Lake, Türkiye’s second-largest freshwater lake, is an important ecosystem for biodiversity, agriculture, fisheries, and local livelihoods, but is increasingly affected by declining water levels, pollution, invasive species, habitat degradation, and unsustainable use of natural resources. The SER-SEL project aims to strengthen the ecological resilience and sustainable management of Egirdir Lake through biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, improved water-use efficiency, participatory governance, and knowledge sharing. Working as part of the FAO Türkiye project team, the UN Volunteer will support project implementation, coordination, research, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-sharing activities. The assignment will provide exposure to cooperation with national and local institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, research institutions, municipalities, cooperatives, and other stakeholders involved in the sustainable management of Egirdir Lake.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of FAO Assistant Representative in Türkiye, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: – Support the implementation and day-to-day coordination of activities under the SER-SEL project, including follow-up with relevant FAO colleagues, national counterparts, experts, and implementing partners. – Assist in collecting, organizing, and reviewing information and data related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and water-use efficiency. – Contribute to the preparation of project-related documents, including meeting notes, briefing materials, presentations, reports, knowledge products, and other technical or programme support materials. – Support the organization and documentation of stakeholder consultations, workshops, training sessions, field visits, and other project events, including liaison with relevant institutions and partners. – Assist in stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing activities with government institutions, research organizations, municipalities, cooperatives, local communities, and other relevant partners. – Contribute to project communication, outreach, and awareness-raising activities, including the preparation of information materials, case studies, project updates, and visibility content. – Support the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and project results, including inputs to knowledge-management and dissemination activities. – Support knowledge-sharing and coordination activities under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund-supported project, including exchanges with Chinese experts and partners where relevant. – Support project monitoring and follow-up activities by helping compile implementation information, participation records, feedback, and other documentation required for project reporting. – Perform other related duties as required within the scope of the assignment.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
1 month
Donor priorities
–
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA’s programme.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
No experience required
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Engineering Bioengineering Light Industry-related Fields Agriculture Environmental Science Natural Resources Management International Relations Development Studies Public Administration Project Management Other related fields
Competencies and values
Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Empowering Others Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Vision Working in Teams
Skills and experience
Experience in: – Previous experience as a volunteer, intern, student assistant, or in extracurricular activities would be highly regarded. – Demonstrated interest in working in multicultural environments, international cooperation, or community-based activities would be an asset. – Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. Skills in: – Preparing clear and concise reports, meeting notes, and presentations – Collecting, organizing, and summarizing information and data – Supporting the organization of workshops, trainings, and stakeholder meetings – Communicating and working effectively with diverse stakeholders – Using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – Working effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
Area(s) of expertise
Climate change, environment, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Project management, programme development, strategy
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
The UN Volunteer will be based in Ankara and responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. The Summary of UN Volunteer Entitlement (International Associate): • Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 2,152 • Private insurance coverage by CIGNA • Entry allowance (one-time): USD 3,500 upon arrival to duty station • Exit allowance (one-time after end of assignment): USD 225 per month upon the satisfactory completion of assignment • Dependent entitlements are provided based on eligibility criteria • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network Notes: 1) You can check full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator 2) Please read the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos Türkiye offers relatively comfortable living conditions, particularly in major cities such as Ankara, the capital city, which has well-developed infrastructure, reliable public services, and a wide range of housing options. Ankara experiences a continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters, occasionally with snowfall. As the administrative and political center of the country, the city hosts a diverse international and local population and provides access to government institutions, universities, healthcare facilities, and cultural amenities. Security conditions are generally stable, and international personnel can access both public and private healthcare services. While English is used in professional environments, basic Turkish is beneficial for daily interactions and integration into the local context. FAO Turkiye webpage: https://www.fao.org/turkiye/en UN Turkiye webpage: https://turkiye.un.org/en
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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