Natural Resources and Climate Change Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the FAO work in 13 member countries in the Pacific subregion – Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu -, and one Associate Member, Tokelau. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development priorities, in which gender, climate change adaption, and anticipatory action are important cross-cutting issues. SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion wide institutions and entities.

The objective of the Call is to attract suitable individuals to undertake consultancies in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change. Individuals meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Call will be included in the Roster of Natural Resource and Climate Change and be considered whenever relevant opportunities for a consultancy arise.

Reporting Lines

The Expert will be placed under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific Islands and directly reports to the Natural Resource Officer. She/he will also liaise closely with SAP Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT).

Technical Focus

Provide analytical and technical backstopping on sustainable natural resource management and concerned institutions, including agriculture, land, water, fisheries, forestry, biological diversity and other environmental services and related livelihoods activities in addressing climate change and resilience matters.

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support planning, development and implementation of projects/programmes, services in accordance with SAP objectives and the Multicounty Programing Framework for the Pacific Islands (2023-2027).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams to assist in the identification and preparation of project/programme and support initiatives in the fields of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change, gender mainstreaming.
• Participates in the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, climate change and gender equality studies, assessments and strategies, in the implementation of projects and programmes.
• Supports the development of gender and social inclusion knowledge products and contribute to capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change and gender equality and social inclusion with government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations.
• Collaborate in, provide technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Support the implementation of project activities and the preparation of final evaluation and project terminal reports.
• Support the development and further mainstreaming of climate smart agriculture measures across policies, programme and projects (including in climate and environment funds).
• Support enhancement of technical knowledge, data and information to support the project activities, including the development of tools, models, methodologies, resources that address climate change impacts.
• Provide robust technical and policy support on a range of issues, including on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, gender mainstreaming, including in the design and development of projects and programmes on climate change.
• Reviewing project components for environmental and social impact, assessing environmental effects, proposing mitigation measures, evaluating climate risks on agriculture.
• Undertake analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Support capacity development activities focussed on climate change and support the development of training resources, tools and material.
• Organize team meetings and other events, including with Governments and non-state actors as well as national and international partners, bodies and partnerships on the topics and approaches related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and finance for agrifood systems.
• Develop documents, including the Terms of Reference, Letters of Agreement, Service Contracts.
• Support international multi-stakeholder consultations, trainings, and capacity development activities related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and finance as required.
• Conduct analyses and drafts documents on climate finance for the agriculture and food system (including policy briefs, technical reports, capacity development materials).
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems, including updates databases and web pages.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Gender, Climate Change, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, Law or relevant-to-the-project disciplines.
• At least 5 years of field experience in working on gender-related and climate change matters at relevant levels.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Solid working experience in conducting country gender assessments and mainstreaming gender into projects and programmes.
• Experience in supporting and/or managing gender initiatives related to food security, market-oriented productions and access, livestock and natural resources management;
• Extensive and relevant experience in collecting and analysis technical data and information;
• Extensive and relevant experience in preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, INGOs and donors.
• Experience in organising workshops and training sessions on gender-related and climate change topics.
• Knowledge and/or experience on social, economic and geopolitical context of Pacific Small Island Developing States; and
• Basic Knowledge on FAO agenda on gender, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, food security and nutrition
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with international and national experts and stakeholders

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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