HLPE-FSN Steering Committee renewal: key dates and instructions for applications

The Steering Committee of the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE-FSN) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is due to be renewed in 2025, for a 2-year term (the 8th HLPE-FSN Steering Committee) starting at the closure of the CFS’s ordinary Plenary session in October 2025 and ending at the closure of the ordinary Plenary session in 2027. The call for experts will be open from 10 January 2025 to 24 March 2025, 23:59 GMT (deadline extended). 

The nomination procedure is entirely web-based via the online application form. Applicants must attach a nomination letter from a relevant institution or organization. 

HLPE-FSN Steering Committee members participate in their individual capacities and not as representatives of any institution. The HLPE-FSN Steering committee composition will reflect an assortment of technical disciplines, balance of regional expertise and gender balance.

Requirements

Ideal candidates are internationally recognized experts in food security and nutrition-related fields. Essential requirements are:

• relevant experience working with cross-disciplinary expert international processes;
• advanced university degree;
• proven record of publications;
• solid background in field/research project management in the area of food security and nutrition;
• strong experience in managing groups or networks of experts;
• extensive communication and interpersonal skills;
• leadership skills;
• capacity to attract and draw expert networks, drawing from their international recognition by peers;
• mastery of the English language at CEFR level C2, demonstrating the ability to express ideas fluently, precisely, and persuasively; and
• time availability (a minimum of 10% of working time) over the 2-year term of appointment.

Desirable skills:

• proficiency in another official UN language beyond English (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish); and
• familiarity with the UN system.

Steering Committee members do not receive compensation from the HLPE-FSN, and their participation is pro bono.

Details about the roles and functions of the HLPE-FSN and of its Steering Committee, and about their working procedures, are detailed in the following documents, which nominating entities are invited to consult:

• The CFS Reform Document, esp. paragraphs 36–48.
• Rule V of the Rules of Procedures of the CFS, as modified by CFS 41 Plenary (Final report of CFS 41, paragraph 45 and Appendix F).
• The Rules of Procedure for the work of the HLPE-FSN (agreed by the CFS Bureau, January 2010), especially Paragraphs 4–15, 32, and 35.

The first meeting of the 8th HLPE-FSN Steering Committee will take place in Rome in November 2025. All appointed Steering Committee members will be requested to attend the meeting in person¹.

The experts are appointed by the Bureau of the CFS, following a proposal by an ad hoc technical selection committee comprised of members of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), CGIAR and the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism for relations with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CSIPM).

The list of nominees shall remain confidential and will not be disclosed by the Secretariat, except for the five members of the Ad Hoc Technical Selection Committee (AHTSC).

⏰ Open until 24 March 2025.

Required documents

Please note you will be required to upload the following documents:

• Letter of engagement (download the template here)
• Nomination letter by a relevant institution or organization²
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• List of peer-reviewed publications
• Passport

¹ During their mandate, Steering Committee members are expected to dedicate a substantial amount of their time to the HLPE-FSN. Actual time requirements will depend on the capacities of experts and the work programme of the HLPE-FSN as requested by the CFS. Time dedication is expected not to be lower than 20 days per year, travel included. This figure doubles at least for the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Steering Committee.

² Government, academic, civil society, private sector, foundations or other institution, association or organization relevant to the CFS and its stakeholders.