Global environment facility Expert

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines

The GEF Expert will report directly to the FAO Representative in the Philippines.

Technical Focus

The Global Environment Facility (GEF8) approved the Expression of Interest (EOI) of the project entitled “Transforming Agricultural Landscapes in Island Ecosystems and Key Biodiversity Areas towards Sustainable Food Systems and Climate Resilient Communities” under the Food Systems Integrated Program (FS-IP). The project aims to improve the ecosystem health and transform food systems to deliver multiple environmental and social benefits through the following components: (i) enhancing the enabling environment for climate-resilient and sustainable food and landscape management systems, including the dynamic conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture; (ii) enabling integrated landscape management to sustain food systems and deliver GEBs; (iii) strengthening capacities promoting investment in sustainable and climate resilient food production practices, and improved value chains ; and (iv) promoting learning, knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation for sustainable landscapes management and biodiversity conservation.

In preparation for the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase, the Food and Agriculture Organization, in collaboration with the Government of the Philippines will develop the full project document in alignment with the national priorities and GEF8 programming directions. Project preparation activities will include desk review as well as multi-stakeholder consultations to ensure the involvement of key stakeholders in the project design process and generate commitments both at the national and local levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

The International GEF Expert will be under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, the direct supervision of the Assistance FAO Representative for Programme. S/he will work under the technical supervision of the FAO’s Lead Technical Officer and GEF Technical Officer (GEF Coordination Unit). The expert will lead a team of national experts recruited for the project development and ensure strong coordination and collaboration with the lead government agency/ proposed executing partner and other key stakeholders.

The International GEF Expert will lead the preparation of a full FAO-GEF project document and supporting materials.

• Lead the completion of a fundable FAO/GEF Project Document and supporting documentation in compliance with the GEF8 Programming Directions, GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program Framework Document, the GEF-approved national child project concept note/ EOI; and other government, FAO and GEF policy requirements. • Ensure that that all PPG team members are familiar with the project concept, GEF requirements, key FAO concepts relevant to the project and requirements, as well as the comments/ concerns from the GEFSEC and STAP that needs to be addressed during the project design phase. • Oversee and direct PPG activities, guiding overall PPG workplan and deliverables by each member of the PPG team, and overseeing the project design team to ensure that results are professional and positively contribute to the completion of the final Project Document, and other supporting materials. • Serve as primary author and provide overall conceptual guidance to project design, including finalizing theory of change, results framework, institutional arrangements and project budget. • Ensure that the project design process is participatory with strong stakeholder involvement from government, local communities, CSOs, academia, private sector, women, indigenous communities, and others. • Ensure strong coordination with existing GEF projects, and lessons from past GEF and other donor projects are included in project design. • Assist the LTO in determining whether FAO’s environmental safeguards standards are triggered and, if so, assist the LTO in designing an appropriate mitigation plan; and ensure strong incorporation of FAO’s tools and approaches are included (as appropriate) in project design. • Ensure that all documentation gives due consideration to FAO PTF, PPRC, GEFSEC, STAP and GEF Council Comments, including providing responses and commentary as necessary. • Ensure GEF Core Indicators are appropriately filled in. • Represent the project design team in meetings and presentations as required. • Support FAO in identifying potential co-financiers as well as in securing co-financing commitments; and • Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in the social/ environmental science, natural resource management, or related fields • At least ten (10) years of professional experience in multifocal environment project design for international cooperation funding such as GEF portfolio and demonstrated ability to lead national level project development teams. • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of following: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Previous working experience in the Philippines or tropical Asia