Natural Resources and Climate Change Specialist

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 FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the FAO work in 13 member countries in the Pacific subregion - Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu -, and one Associate Member, Tokelau. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development priorities, in which gender, climate change adaption, and anticipatory action are important cross-cutting issues. SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion wide institutions and entities.

The objective of the Call is to attract suitable individuals to undertake consultancies in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change. Individuals meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Call will be included in the Roster of Natural Resource and Climate Change and be considered whenever relevant opportunities for a consultancy arise.

Reporting Lines

The Expert will be placed under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific Islands and directly reports to the Natural Resource Officer. She/he will also liaise closely with SAP Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT).

Technical Focus

Provide analytical and technical backstopping on sustainable natural resource management and concerned institutions, including agriculture, land, water, fisheries, forestry, biological diversity and other environmental services and related livelihoods activities in addressing climate change and resilience matters.

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support planning, development and implementation of projects/programmes, services in accordance with SAP objectives and the Multicounty Programing Framework for the Pacific Islands (2023-2027).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams to assist in the identification and preparation of project/programme and support initiatives in the fields of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change, gender mainstreaming. • Participates in the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, climate change and gender equality studies, assessments and strategies, in the implementation of projects and programmes. • Supports the development of gender and social inclusion knowledge products and contribute to capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and climate change and gender equality and social inclusion with government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations. • Collaborate in, provide technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools. • Support the implementation of project activities and the preparation of final evaluation and project terminal reports. • Support the development and further mainstreaming of climate smart agriculture measures across policies, programme and projects (including in climate and environment funds). • Support enhancement of technical knowledge, data and information to support the project activities, including the development of tools, models, methodologies, resources that address climate change impacts. • Provide robust technical and policy support on a range of issues, including on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, gender mainstreaming, including in the design and development of projects and programmes on climate change. • Reviewing project components for environmental and social impact, assessing environmental effects, proposing mitigation measures, evaluating climate risks on agriculture. • Undertake analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents. • Support capacity development activities focussed on climate change and support the development of training resources, tools and material. • Organize team meetings and other events, including with Governments and non-state actors as well as national and international partners, bodies and partnerships on the topics and approaches related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and finance for agrifood systems. • Develop documents, including the Terms of Reference, Letters of Agreement, Service Contracts. • Support international multi-stakeholder consultations, trainings, and capacity development activities related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and finance as required. • Conduct analyses and drafts documents on climate finance for the agriculture and food system (including policy briefs, technical reports, capacity development materials). • Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems, including updates databases and web pages. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Gender, Climate Change, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, Law or relevant-to-the-project disciplines. • At least 5 years of field experience in working on gender-related and climate change matters at relevant levels. • Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Solid working experience in conducting country gender assessments and mainstreaming gender into projects and programmes. • Experience in supporting and/or managing gender initiatives related to food security, market-oriented productions and access, livestock and natural resources management; • Extensive and relevant experience in collecting and analysis technical data and information; • Extensive and relevant experience in preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops. • Experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, INGOs and donors. • Experience in organising workshops and training sessions on gender-related and climate change topics. • Knowledge and/or experience on social, economic and geopolitical context of Pacific Small Island Developing States; and • Basic Knowledge on FAO agenda on gender, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, food security and nutrition • Proven ability to work collaboratively with international and national experts and stakeholders

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Added 2 hours ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: fao.org