About the World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems (WFA)
The World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems (WFA) is an ecosystem dedicated to education, career development, and collaboration in food, nutrition, science, and technology.
Designed for university students, early-career researchers, and practitioners, the Academy aims to empower the next generation of food and nutrition professionals with free education, practical skills and hands-on learning opportunities through internships, scientific research projects and applied training programmes. This will enable them to contribute to more sustainable, and more resilient food systems worldwide.
The WFA was developed by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).
About the Independent Scientific Review Board Members for World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems
The Scientific Review Board is established to safeguard academic integrity, credibility, and public trust of the World Food Academy. It will ensure that all outputs including courses, learning materials, and educational content offered or endorsed by the World Food Academy are scientifically accurate, and evidence based.
In carrying out its mandate, the Scientific Review Board operates on a strictly neutral basis and does not promote, endorse, or advocate for any specific product, company, technology, partnership, cooperation, or institutional position.
Responsibilities
In coordination with the Director of UNU-INWEH and in close collaboration with the project team at the Institute, the successful members will contribute to:
- Review modules, learning objectives, scientific claims, data, references, case studies, and assessment methods;
- Evaluate scientific validity, balance, and transparency;
- Identify conflicts of interest, biases, or material omissions;
- Provide written recommendations for approval, conditional approval, revision, or rejection of modules;
- Advise periodic review and updates in response to emerging scientific evidence.
Qualifications
Candidates for the Scientific Review Board should fulfill the following conditions:
- Demonstrate recognized expertise and leadership in a relevant field related to food, nutrition, science, and technology
- Have a strong academic, research, or professional track record (PhD or equivalent experience preferred)
- Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Food Systems, Engineering, Nutrition or another relevant field
- Bring experience in scientific review, advisory roles, or expert committees
- Show the ability to critically assess scientific evidence and ensure rigor and integrity
- Demonstrate a commitment to objectivity, transparency, and academic standards
- Be motivated to support free and accessible knowledge sharing, capacity building, and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Be able to contribute effectively in an international, multi-stakeholder environment
- Demonstrate the ability to perform effectively under pressure and deliver high-quality, timely scientific reviews
Duration of Contract
The Independent Scientific Review Board members are appointed for one year with the option of renewal up to three terms. The Independent Scientific Review Board meets virtually once per quarter to conduct board meetings. The approximate time commitment would be 8 days per year to review material and attend meetings.
Remuneration and Expenses
Board members will receive compensation for their time and may be reimbursed for approved travel expenses incurred in connection with their board responsibilities should this be deemed necessary.
Independence and Conflict of Interest
The Board operates independently of all external institutions and stakeholders, including but not limited to United Nations entities, government agencies, and private companies. It is not affiliated with, nor influenced by, UNU-INWEH, or any other partner of the World Food Academy. Scientific Review Board members serve in their individual expert capacity.
All Scientific Review Board members must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest upon appointment. Members shall recuse themselves where a conflict exists.
Scientific Review Board members may not be on the payroll of any of the partners or having a consultancy relationship with any of the partners beyond compensation for their time as a board member by the UNU-INWEH.
Scientific Review Board members may not have a spouse, partner or second-degree relative who is an employee or having a consultancy relationship with any of the partners. Scientific Review Board members may not have had any significant business dealings with partners during a period of six months before the start of their mandate.
Nomination and Selection Process
- Submission of Nominations
- Nominations, including self-nominations, are invited for membership on the Independent Scientific Review Board.
- Submissions should include:
- CV
- Brief nomination statement (maximum one page) describing the nominee's qualifications, expertise, and suitability for serving on the Independent Scientific Review Board and conducting independent scientific and technical reviews;
- The nominee's contact details, including email address, position, and institutional affiliation.
- Eligibility and Independence Review
- Following submission, nominees will be assessed against the Board's eligibility, independence, and conflict-of-interest requirements.
- Nominees may be requested to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, including professional, financial, consulting, or family relationships that could affect, or be perceived to affect, their independence.
- Selection and Appointment
- UNU-INWEH will oversee the application process and selection of the Scientific Review Board.
- Appointed members will serve in their individual expert capacity and will be required to maintain their independence throughout their term of service.
About United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe.
About the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
UNU-INWEH is one of 13 institutes comprising the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. UNU-INWEH specializes in addressing critical global security and development challenges at the intersection of water, environment, and health. Through research, capacity development, policy engagement, and knowledge dissemination, the institute bridges the gap between scientific evidence and the practical needs of policymakers and UN member states, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. By collaborating with a diverse array of partners—including UN agencies, governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society—UNU-INWEH develops solutions that advance human security, resilience, and sustainability worldwide.
