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 Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) is mandated to coordinate climate change issues in Eswatini which is focal to a number of multilateral agreements and funds such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF). The National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) is the main institutional arrangement set up for the coordination of climate change issues in Eswatini. The NCCC is multi-layered, composed of a committee of Ministers, the Executive committee (Principal Secretaries), the Operational Committee (senior officials) and technical working groups. Technical Working groups (TWGs) form a core part of the NCCC and include representatives of academia, private sector and civil society. The Aid Coordination Management Section (ACMS) of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) is responsible for the mobilization and management of external assistance. Sectorial climate change coordination is being implemented. For example, the Agricultural Sector Climate Change Coordination Mechanism (ASCCCM) has been set up to help mainstream adaptation and mitigation interventions in the Agricultural Sector.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other relevant FAO Project Task Force Members and in close collaboration with government focal points including the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs who is mandated to coordinate climate change issues in Eswatini.

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will be responsible for conducting an inventory of all relevant international climate change conventions/ obligations to which Eswatini is a signatory/has ratified or obliged to comply with, identify key contentious/sticking climate change related issues/themes and red lines. The Eswatini Government has to come up with measured and considered positions and direction and proffer recommendations on Eswatini position, direction and strategic interventions on key climate change issues from 2024-2035.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following duties:
•    Identify and outline all relevant international climate change conventions/ obligations to which Eswatini is a signatory/has ratified or obliged to comply with
•    Review and stocktake previous and current climate-related policies, strategies, plans, reports and action plans for gap analysis and come up with recommendations for mainstreaming climate action in all sectors
•    Assess CC policies and action plans from other countries, noting good replicable practices and come up with recommendations for Eswatini
•    Conduct situational analysis and literature review of Eswatini’s socio-economic development trajectory and how it is being impacted by climate change
•    Actively support the implementation of consultations with the high-level Government officials to identify national priorities for addressing CC;
•    Identify key contentious/sticking issues/themes, red lines where Eswatini Government must come up with measured and considered positions and direction, including why they are so important to be addressed in the context of Eswatini; (such as just transition and coal related issues, carbon markets, emissions from livestock etc)
•    Develop/ make recommendations on Eswatini position, direction and strategic interventions on key climate change issues from 2024-2035
•    Develop guidelines/recommendations for institutional arrangements and roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Eswatini for effective implementation of the strategic interventions and instruments

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Environmental Management, Natural Resources Management, Climate Change, Agricultural Economics or a related field.
•    (Ten) 10 years of relevant experience in Environmental Management, Natural Resources Management or related field
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Work experience in research, drafting and preparation of policies and programmes

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements