According to the United Nations, 3 billion people — or roughly 40% of the world’s population — are unable to afford a healthy diet. Sobering statistics like this are part of what motivates those seeking purpose-driven careers in food systems and agriculture.
On the eve of World Food Day, I’m sharing insider information for professionals aiming to help solve global food crises. Established experts offer tips on how to develop the right expertise to succeed in food and agriculture roles. You’ll also get briefed on the top agencies currently looking to fill these key positions and hear sage career advice from a food security expert at Tetra Tech. Plus, explore job opportunities at CARE USA, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and more.
Sr. Proposal Development Manager
Food for the Hungry
United States
Chief Executive Officer
FairWild Foundation
Remote
Program Coordinator, Humanitarian
CARE USA
Yemen
Girl Up Development Manager
United Nations Foundation
Remote
“There’s no replacement for being in the field.”
— Chuck Chopak, vice president of development results, DAIEstablished experts speak with Devex to share insights into the skills and expertise required to succeed as an agriculture professional, including how to gain field experience and climb the career ladder:
• Whether it’s in agronomy, ecology, horticulture, or geography, a degree with a scientific background is necessary for an agriculture career in the sector, according to Janie Rioux, natural resources climate change officer at FAO.
• While education is important, experts agree that field experience must be attained as well. “Competence is not achieved by two years of a master’s degree in a particular area,” says Musa Mulongo, senior scientist and program coordinator at the International Livestock Research Institute.
• Good communication — both written and oral — is necessary and highly sought after. Chuck Chopak, vice president of development results at DAI, adds that humility and a willingness to learn are also important, especially earlier in one's career.
Read: How to build your expertise in agriculture
+ Explore current agriculture and rural development job openings.
Sustainable agriculture and rural development are vital factors in tackling global poverty. But with the world’s population growing and climate change causing devastation to much agricultural land, ending the problem won’t be easy.
Many different types of organizations are making valuable contributions in these sectors. Here are some of the top groups in agriculture, food systems, and rural development that currently have the most opportunities on Devex’s job board:
• Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO has nearly 200 member countries and is actively working in over 100 nations to achieve food security for all. Its key priorities are to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; to make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; to reduce rural poverty; to enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems; and to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.
View current job opportunities with FAO.
• World Resources Institute. WRI is a global research organization with around 1,400 staffers and experts conducting research into sustainable resource use and management. One of its areas of research centers on food, with three main priorities: to increase food production for the growing global population; to reduce the impacts of agriculture on climate, ecosystems, and water; and to ensure social and economic inclusion.
View current job opportunities with WRI.
• One Acre Fund. One Acre Fund is a social enterprise that uses market-based strategies to assist smallholder farmers and alleviate rural poverty. It provides four main services to rural farmers across sub-Saharan Africa: asset-based loans of seeds and fertilizers, delivery locations within walking distance of every farmer, training on modern agricultural techniques, and education about market facilitation. The group reached over 1.3 million farmers across seven countries in 2020 and is aiming for 10 million by 2030.
View current job opportunities with One Acre Fund.
Read more: Top employers in agriculture and rural development: A primer
Program Assistant, Office of the President, US Program
Private foundation
United States
Senior Data Management and Integration Officer
Investment bank
Luxembourg
Plan Administrator and Head of Unit
Development finance institution
Côte d'Ivoire
National Agriculture and Climate Change Valuation Specialist
United Nations agency
Remote
Richard Choularton, director of agriculture and food security at Tetra Tech, discusses the host of roles he has held in food security at different organizations and offers advice for others pursuing a career in the sector.
Read more: The food security expert
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