ABSTRACT
To join Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) one can apply to it directly, answer an advertisement, or be brought to its attention through a contact. Professional appointments in FAO are supposed to be in proportion to national contributions to its financing. Recommendation by someone who is known and trusted by the relevant unit in FAO is the most successful route to joining it. Appointment to an FAO post can be blocked by over-representation of the nationality concerned. While the prospect of secure employment may be a factor in attracting and holding high-quality staff, FAO is constrained to limit its continuing obligations by the biennial nature of its financing. The largest contributor to FAO has been the USA long meeting one-quarter of its budget. Having had an opportunity to see colleagues in action and to appreciate the way FAO works, an aspiring professional will see the advantages of promoting his or her own working group.
