National Professional Officer (Renewable Energy and Green Technologies Expert)

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Lusaka, Zambia.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Renewable Energy and Green Technologies Expert) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and direct supervision of the FACE-NDC Coordinator (FACE-NDC stands for Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve the National Determined Contributions), the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of FACE-NDC (Natural Resources Officer of the Office of the Climate Change and Biodiversity (OCB) and the Coordinator of Output IV of the project).

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

• Assists in liaising and cooperating with government authorities and national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and in liaising with other UN agencies; • Provides support to promoting the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools (e.g. website, press releases and publications) and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (e.g. Codex Alimentarius and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries) in the country; • Collects, consolidates and maintains country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and participate in monitoring changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector; • Assists with the production of technical, economic and policy studies and assists in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); • Assists in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitor and review the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints; • Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided; • Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Reviews the stakeholders mapping document developed during the FACE-NDC preparatory phase and enhance if needed; • Supports development of the detailed implementation plan of the Work Package 8 (WP8) Activities; • Liaises with the national project partners University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU) and monitors implementation of their activities within WP8, and specifically: o Coordinates the implementation of survey among students on their interest in pursuing courses related to energy-agriculture nexus and provides technical inputs for competency assessments in green technologies and green economy; o Assesses available equipment and needs related to the establishment of the renewable energy laboratory; o Reviews the assessment of the Master of Science (MSc) level programmes available at CBU and UNZA developed during the preparatory phase; o Conducts interviews/consultation with academic staff of CBU and UNZA about the scope of the MSc level modules on renewable energy for, and from, agriculture and forestry value chains; o Liaises with the national training institutions engaged in energy and energy efficiency trainings for public and private sector actors, and support review and assessment of the existing training materials; o Supports the identification of national project partners and ongoing projects relevant for WP8 activities, and where suitable liaise with them if there is a potential for synergies.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of the country of assignment • Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, or any other field related to the work of the Organization • One year of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of the local language (if not English)

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management. • Understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO. • Extent and relevance of experience in the area of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, OR extent and relevance of experience related to the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. • Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals, as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.