The World Food Forum is an open global platform established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2021 to transform agrifood systems through the power of youth, science and innovation, and investment. The Youth Policy Board leads the Youth Assembly, a year-round open platform for co-creating policy priorities, exchanging knowledge and developing joint recommendations.

The Board is an independent group of 40 young people aged 18-35 from diverse regions and backgrounds. It was launched in 2021 to provide a strategic youth-led vision for policy-related activities.

Term: one year, with the possibility of reapplying for a second year. Each member has a primary area of responsibility, and each regional group will have a YPB lead.

Regional work (2027–2028 term):

• Lead and facilitate regional youth consultative processes to gather young people's vision for the future of agrifood systems.
• Prepare the regional consultative youth process towards the 2028 FAO Regional Conferences and, where applicable, engage with regional technical commissions and bodies, in coordination with the Youth Assembly Secretariat and FAO Regional Offices.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including FAO Regional Offices, members of the WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG) and members of WFF National Youth Chapters.
• Synthesize regional youth voices into recommendations to be presented at intergovernmental processes and conferences.
• Represent the YPB in relevant intergovernmental processes and conferences.
• Summarize outcomes and progress in an outcome document.

Thematic work: leading youth consultative processes on agrifood governance themes, conducting surveys and consultations, drafting position papers and outcome documents, and providing structured youth inputs to intergovernmental or FAO member-led policy and governance processes. (Note: the document describes these duties under the heading "2026–2027 term" and mentions summarizing 2027 outcomes.)

Youth engagement: supporting wider WFF Youth Initiative activities to enhance meaningful youth participation globally.

Selection process (four rounds):

• Round 1: the Youth Assembly Secretariat reviews applications and scores candidates on eligibility and experience.
• Round 2: a committee of youth organization representatives and, when feasible, National Youth Chapter policy focal points assesses applications and creates a shortlist. Shortlisted candidates are asked to submit a CV, a letter of recommendation and a two-minute video explaining how they would contribute to the YPB and the Youth Assembly.
• Round 3: the outgoing YPB cohort evaluates shortlisted candidates on criteria including knowledge of agrifood systems, leadership skills and policy expertise.
• Round 4: top candidates are invited to interviews, with final selection based on interview performance and overall ranking.

Key attributes: demonstrated passion for transforming agrifood systems and engaging youth in policy processes; leadership and strategic thinking; knowledge of policy development, advocacy and global governance structures; excellent communication skills and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.

Commitment: approximately 25 hours per month, including meetings, contributing to policy documents and external engagements.

Optional engagements: joining WFF National Youth Chapters and taking part in WFF Youth Initiative programmes such as the Transformative Research Challenge, Youth Food Lab, Startup Innovation Awards and the Agrifood Leadership Education Programme.

Deadline: not specified in the document.

• Have graduated from high school and either have completed or be enrolled in a bachelor's degree programme at the time of application.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old as of 30 April 2027.
• Be a national of an FAO Member State.
• Demonstrate spoken and written English proficiency at C1 level (fluency in other FAO official languages is an advantage).
• Be available for at least one weekly YPB meeting (one hour) between 09:00 and 18:00 CET/CEST.
• Have demonstrated experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy and youth empowerment.
• Be able to dedicate approximately 25 hours per month: 20 hours to the core area of responsibility (regional/thematic) and 5 hours to the supporting area.
• Be able to work effectively in an international, multicultural environment, with strong intercultural communication skills.
• Not be an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling or their respective spouses) of an FAO employee.
• Not be employed by FAO.
• Not be a current or former member of the WFF YSG or YPB.

Preference is given to applicants with:

• Experience within youth constituencies or organizations.
• Experience supporting consultative youth processes.
• Backgrounds as underrepresented stakeholders, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples and women.
• Understanding of international governance frameworks related to agrifood systems.

The document does not mention any financial benefits, allowance or travel coverage; these are not specified in the announcement.

What the document says about the role:

• Leading regional and thematic youth consultative processes.
• Representing the Board in intergovernmental processes and conferences, including the 2028 FAO Regional Conferences.
• Working with FAO technical experts, FAO Regional Offices and partner youth organizations.
• The option to take part in WFF Youth Initiative programmes (optional).