International GEF Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is one of the top Global Environment Facility (GEF) partner implementing agencies worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300 projects valued at more than USD 1.5 billion. FAO supports eligible countries in accessing resources from the GEF family of funds comprised of: GEF Trust Fund (TF), the Least Development Countries Fund (LDCF), the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). To do this FAO helps countries to identify and prepare project proposals and oversee their implementation under GEF priority focal areas, including biodiversity, climate change (mitigation and adaptation), land degradation, chemicals and waste, international transboundary waters. FAO brings to the GEF partnership extensive knowledge and expertise in sustainable agri-food systems transformation, including sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, ecosystem restoration. It draws on its strong field presence and in-depth understanding of GEF policies and procedures to assist member countries in accessing GEF financing. The synergies between GEF and FAO priorities and the importance of FAO’s thought leadership and contribution in the above areas to our member countries have resulted in more countries choosing to work with FAO and the subsequent growth of the FAO-GEF portfolio and partnership (FAO GEF webpage). The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and the Environment (OCB) works across FAO to help countries and stakeholders respond to challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, keeping food and agricultural sustainability high on the agenda through FAO’s seven core functions and by enabling countries to access climate and environment financing from the GEF and other funds. OCB is home to the FAO/OCB-GEF Coordination Unit. FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, together with the Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) in Samoa supports member countries in meeting their national priorities in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, agri-food systems, nutrition, and rural development and in accessing GEF financing to meet these priorities. The FAO member countries in the Pacific include the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Under this assignment, the consultant will work closely with the SAP and RAP Lead Technical Officers (LTO), RAP-GEF Regional Lead Coordinator, OCB GEF Coordination Unit and country offices and partners in the Pacific to ensure that GEF projects are designed and implemented with the highest technical quality.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands (SRC) and direct supervision of the SAP LTO, the International GEF Programme Specialist will perform following tasks.

Technical Focus

The main technical focus of International GEF Programme Specialist are GEF pipeline development, portfolio management, ensuring the alignment of GEF project development with other environmental finance projects, providing the GEF project management advises on project cycle management, collaborating with GEF OFPs and senior government officers and providing required insights on GEF project programming and its alignment with national development priorities, etc.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Analyse complex environmental issues and draft clear and compelling project documentation, with a theory of change and “SMART” logical framework; • Provide technical leadership for FAO/SAP-GEF production of concepts/EOIs/PIFs/project proposals that bring together country priorities, FAO priorities, and the GEF’s priorities in clear and compelling proposals. • Build working relationships with relevant country ministries and national GEF Operational Focal Points to identify and support opportunities for FAO to serve Pacific member countries as lead GEF agency in formulating and implementing GEF projects consistent with FAO-GEF mandates. • Establish partnerships with other GEF agencies securing opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration and potential joint-programming befitting the interests of FAO and the needs of Pacific member countries; • Assist governments and FAO-SAP Offices in the identification and formulation of natural resource and environmental management projects for financing by the GEF TF, LDCF, SCCF, GBFF. • Provide technical expertise, advice and project design guidance to project identification, development and implementation of natural resource/environmental project proposals that address country priorities and further FAO and GEF (or other environmental funds) strategic objectives, programme priorities areas and operational policies and procedures. • Ensure quality control of the GEF project concepts and full project proposals in line with GEF eligibility criteria and alignment with GEF Programming Directions; Ensure all documentation gives due consideration to GEF SEC, STAP and GEF Council Comments, including providing responses and commentary as necessary; • Lead the design and delivery of capacity development activities to FAO-SAP technical staff on the strategies, priorities and procedures, trends and issues related to GEF, LDCF, SCCF, GBFF and other environmental funds. • Review and clear the reports prepared by the PPG team members and ensure that required data are collected and analysed for the final Project Document and supporting materials. • Represent the project design team in meetings and presentations, as required.

GEF portfolio management

• Manage the FAO GEF project portfolio in the Pacific, ensuring an eligible project pipeline and each project receives the necessary support throughout the project cycle. • Ensure FAO SAP GEF implementation support to projects and ensure timely submission of PPR and PIR mid-term and terminal reviews of projects. • Collaborate with FAO country office staff to ensure adequate and effective country office support (identification and formulation and follow up of GEF projects); • Assist the FAO LTO to determine whether FAO’s environmental safeguards standards are triggered and, if so, assist the LTO in design of mitigation plans; • Support FAO country office to identify potential co-financiers and secure co-financing commitments; • Conduct missions and prepare mission reports in collaboration with the national experts; • Serve as primary author and provide overall conceptual guidance to overall project design; • In cooperation with the Operational Partner and GEF programme partners, ensure adequate M&E and Knowledge Management with strong involvement from Government, local communities, CSOs, academia, private sector, women, indigenous communities, and other relevant stakeholders.

Ensure alignment of GEF programme

• Support synergies of GEF programme/projects with other environmental and climate finance such as the Green Climate Fund, etc. including potential co-finance opportunities • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in natural resources management, environment, or natural resource economics, or in a field directly related to one or more of the following areas: biodiversity, climate change, energy, sustainable land, forest or water management. • At least seven years of relevant experience in one of the technical areas listed above • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

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