Natural Resources and Environment Specialist

Organizational Setting

As one of its Country Programming Framework (CPF 2018 – 2022), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Nigeria work to support the Federal Government of Nigeria in improving efficient and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem. This is aligned to FAO’s corporate objective of making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable. In this regard, FAO has been supporting the government to develop and implement policies, strategies, and frameworks for sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The purpose of this consultancy is to expand and strengthen FAO Nigeria Country Office’s work on natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation, reposition and prioritize its work in these important areas

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) (AFAOR-P) and in close collaboration with the Programme Leads, and FAO experts in the Sub-regional office, Regional office and Headquarters, the Consultant will support the implementation of FAO Nigeria Country Programme Framework.

Technical Focus

The tasks place emphasis on programme development, effective programme implementation, resource mobilization, reporting and outreach related to sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation

Tasks and responsibilities

The Natural Resources and Environment Specialist will:

• Contribute to the achievement of FAO Nigeria Country Programming Priorities through expansion and strengthening of programme portfolio within the thematic focus of sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation; and its effective implementation, development of new concept notes, project documents, briefs, analyses and reports in support of fund mobilization, reporting, communication and outreach.
• In collaboration with Programme Development Specialist, identify concept ideas lead the formulation of project proposals, concept notes and project documents. In particular relating to (i) Trust Fund (TF, UNJPS), Projects with Donors, (ii) Unilateral Trust Funds (UTFs) with Federal and State Governments; (iii) South-South Cooperation (SSC, TrC)) programme and (iv) Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCPs) v) Climate funds and Private sector resources in support of sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Provide technical assistance to Federal and State governments, FAO Implementing Partners engaged in the programmes linked to sustainable management of forests, land, soil, water, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Review of relevant government, UN and Donor strategic and development plans/frameworks, with a view to identifying additional entry points for FAO Nigeria to enhance/strengthen its resource mobilization drive.
• Lead the preparation and planning of all related program/project work plans, procurement plan, field activities implementation, progress monitoring and, where necessary, identify corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Build network of collaboration with governmental and organizational counterparts to strategically position FAO leadership within relevant sectoral and thematic platforms and facilitate programme coordination, promotion and stakeholder engagement;
• Support project leads in work-planning, implementation, reporting and project coordination with stakeholders, initiate actions to be taken with relevant partners, Agencies, institutional and stakeholders on issues related to projects management to enhance effective implementation of programmes;
• Facilitate and coordinate operational and logistical field actions in all aspects of the project cycle management related to sustainable natural resource management. These include, but are not limited to, implementation arrangements, choice of inputs and procurement plans, site selection, beneficiary targeting, determining vulnerability criteria, distribution mechanisms, activity monitoring, training and capacity building, reporting, etc.;
• In collaboration with the M&E and Reporting Officer, contribute to monitoring and evaluation of programme and project performance (outputs and impact) and its linkages to FAO’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) and Corporate Strategic Objectives; and submit Project Progress Reports and any other reports required by the Organization in time.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of technical elements of briefs, evaluation reports, Letters of Agreement, Terms of Reference, technical specifications, statements and correspondence for internal use and for recipient governments and donors;
• Identify and evaluate the capacity and quality of work of potential local suppliers of technical goods, public works and services;
• Provide leadership in assessments, surveys, analyses and documentation in the domain of sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation and for planning exercises;
• Monitor emerging issues, trends and threats; to sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change impacts and advise on measures to be taken for programme planning and implementation;
• Compile an updated analysis relevant thematic issues of natural resource management, biodiversity, climate change in Nigeria and assessment of areas to target with specific interventions;
• In liaison with the communication team, collect and maintain repository of documents and information, governmental guidelines, policies, manuals, assessments, etc.), to shape and define priorities, guidelines and standards for interventions in the sector;
• Promote, advocate and widely communicate through organizing field days, or commemorating international days related to sustainable land and water management, soils, wildlife, forestry and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Mentor and strengthen capacities of programme assistants and junior personnel in the area of sustainable forestry, land use, water management, climate change and other development related aspects.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree in environment, biology or climate change, development economics or a related field;

• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in programme development and management, Resource mobilisation, advocacy, communication and outreach, preferably in the areas of sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

· Working knowledge of English and at least one of the Nigerian main languages.

· National of Nigeria or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

· Sound knowledge and understanding of the on-going emerging policy issues in the areas of environment, conservation or climate change;

· Strong knowledge and background in forestry, land and water management, soils management, wildlife, climate smart agriculture,

· Experience in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects linked to sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation at UN Systems level will be a key asset;

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a wide range of individuals at technical and strategic levels in government, private sector and civil society;

· Experience in preparing high quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policy makers;

· Experience of working with Federal and State government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, private sector/ civil society in the field of natural resource management in Nigeria;