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 Subregional Office for West Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed-upon strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Country Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture, and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa.
As a pillar of FAO’s strategic framework 2022-31, which focuses on the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood, better environment is a key strategic pillar with the objective to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduce, reuse, recycle, residual management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. The Programme Priority Area focuses on Climate and agri-food systems; Bioeconomy; Biodiversity and ecosystems.
Livestock is an essential component of the West African rural economy, with a large contribution to agricultural GDP ranging from 5% in coastal countries to 44% in Sahelian countries, according to ECOWAS. Pastoralism is a source of income for 80 million people and plays a fundamental role in the resilience of populations, including in terms of jobs and food security. ECOWAS is developing a transformative project to enhance livestock systems’ resilience to climate change in the region. Climate change poses significant risks to livestock production, affecting food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

FAO as an accredited agency for GCF has received a request from ECOWAS to support the development of a full-fledged project proposal to be submit to the GCF. This project aims to develop innovative adaptation strategies and mitigation measures through data-driven analysis of climate impacts. The consultant shall be hired under the project TCP/SFW/3904.

Reporting Lines

The Expert on Climate Change Analysis will be under the overall supervision of the Sub Regional Coordinator SFW, the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer at SFW, the technical supervisor of the SFW Animal Health and Production Officer and Project Development Specialist (GCF) in consultation with OCB Teams.

Technical Focus

The Expert on Climate Change Analysis will support a team of experts for the design and preparation of a GCF multi-country detailed project proposal. The Expert will provide technical expertise to assess climate-related risks, develop climate models, and recommend strategies that inform project design and implementation. He will analyze climate change impacts on livestock systems in the ECOWAS region and develop and improve climate rationale for the project. The expert will work closely the international expert on agro-sylvo-pastoralism and the other expert to deliver some outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Expert on Climate Change Analysis for design of multi-country full fledge project proposal will carry out the following tasks:
•    Support the identification and oversee project formulation at their different stages and in close collaboration with the FAO country offices, FAO GCF unit and relevant regional and/or sub-regional technical officers.
•    Conduct detailed climate risk assessments focusing on livestock systems across ECOWAS member states.
•    Identify vulnerabilities, including extreme weather events, droughts, heat stress, and changes in water availability.
•    Map high-risk areas using geospatial tools and climate data.
•    Develop localized climate projections to assess future impacts on livestock systems.
•    Use downscaled models to analyze temperature, precipitation, and climate variability scenarios.
•    Collaborate with technical experts to integrate climate findings into project activities.
•    Identify adaptation and mitigation options, including sustainable grazing practices, climate-smart infrastructure, and resource management strategies.
•    Recommend innovative solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems.
•    Develop the climate rationale of the project
•    Work closely with the FAO GCF Unit, the FAO technical units, the project development specialist and experts to ensure appropriate quality control, completeness, and timeliness of project proposals.
•    Contribute to organizing meeting and workshops to validate the proposal.
•    Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in in Climate Science, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or a related field
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in climate change analysis and modelling
•    Full proficiency/working knowledge of French

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Proven expertise in livestock and agriculture-related climate studies and track record in developing strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.
•    Familiarity with GCF processes and requirements is an asset and proficiency in climate modelling tools (e.g., R, Python, ArcGIS …).
•    Strong analytical and report-writing skills, interpret complex data and ability to work in a multicultural environment and manage remote collaborations.
•    Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work in ECOWAS countries and extent and relevance of experience in working with diverse stakeholder groups, including governments, private sectors, and local communities.
•    Familiarity with participatory approaches to project design and implementation and strong knowledge of ECOWAS regional dynamics and/or the GCF framework.

Selection Criteria

•    Requirement of such position (diploma & language skills)
•    Professional experience and similar products delivered.
•    Mission-related studies particularly in Africa/focus in West Africa.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements