Policy Specialist

Overview

Support planning and policy reform for climate adaptation in Jordan

You have:

• University Degree, preferably M.Sc. in relevant fields such as agriculture, rural development, or public policy
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in policy and planning within public or international institutions
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language
• National of Jordan

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the Project entitled “Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan (BRCCJ)”, The goal of the seven-year project is increased climate resilient sustainable development in the country. Towards this aim, the project combines infrastructure development and natural resources management with principles of local capital formation at the community level. The project will have three interrelated components, which will work synergistically to address key barriers and enhance the impact of project investments. The components are designed to deal with the lack of infrastructure, limited capacity of rural farming households and weak institutional capacity. They include (i) Component 1: Climate Resilient Water Systems; (ii) Component 2: Climate Change resilience for Enhanced Livelihoods and Food Security; and (iii) Component 3: Scaling-up climate adaptation. Coherently with identified lesson learned in Jordan as well as with the GCF Gender guidelines, the project builds on the idea of inclusion of women as change agents for climate adaptation. The project will be executed jointly by FAO, UNDP, Ministry of Environment (MoE), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) indicating the strong collaborative and partnership approach which will be adopted during the implementation of the project. The project will capitalise on the strong experience and convening power that both FAO and UNDP have established in the country.

For the implementation of the Project, a project management unit (“PMU”) will be formed. The PMU will be responsible for day-to-day project management, providing human resources management, financial and procurement services, coordinate the Project activities, generate work plans and prepare reports. The PMU will be established within MoE and will report to the FAO.

Under the overall technical supervision of the International Consultant on Policy and Education Reform, the Senior Policy Expert is a part-time resource position, whose mandate is to support in planning, managing, and monitoring the Component 3, namely Output 3.1.1: Policy and regulatory bottlenecks are identified and reforms initiated.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Policy Specialist will be under the supervision and will report to Policy and Education Reform Consultant, and work in close collaboration with the CTA and PM.

Technical Focus

Policy analysis and planning, monitoring policy and regulatory frameworks, policy advice and supporting the decision aiding and decision making processes.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to the MOE, MOA, and MWI to initiate the process of policy reform. Collaborate closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure that the factors inhibiting adaptation of the agriculture and water sectors to climate change in Jordan are addressed. • Identify policy and regulatory bottlenecks inhibiting adaptation of the agriculture and water sectors to climate change in Jordan. • Work closely with the NCCC and hold gender inclusive consultation with a range of stakeholders and formulate their recommendations for presentation to the Technical Working Group – Adaptation (TWG-A) and to the NCCC. • Support partnering institutions with the creation of mechanisms for the establishment of incentives for climate change to support and scale-up adoption. • Ensure that at least six specific policy and regulatory bottlenecks are identified and reforms initiated. The policy mechanism will include action plans and financial needs identified as part of the reform process. • Conduct gender-inclusive consultations with institutions at national and local levels, engaging in the process private sector, academia, and CSOs to address the identified bottlenecks. • Participate in the elaboration of the annual policy and education reform plan led by the international consultant. The Plan will lay down activities, responsibilities, timeline, beneficiaries, and targets to reach based on FP, PIM and FAA. • Work closely with the assigned government focal points (MWI, MOA, and MOE) and ensure that the project activities are implemented in line with the project outcomes, outputs, time framework and budget. • Participate in meetings and conferences as requested by the International Consultant. • Identify lessons learned, good practices and innovative approaches that can be applied, scaled up, or replicated at the national level. • Follow up on Component 3 – Output 3.1.1 related objectively verifiable indicators at the outcome, result and output levels and report back to the International Consultant and M&E Officer. • Work closely with the CTA, M&E unit and other project teams to draft sections on Output 3.1.1 in AWPBs, progress and final reports and other deliverables identified in the PIM. • Contribute to the knowledge management and dissemination of the project outputs. • Report to PM on management related matters.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree, preferably M.Sc. in agriculture, watershed, rural development or water policies, project management, economics, social sciences, international development, public policy, or related discipline • A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the fields of policy, planning within the public, UN or international institutions • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages • National of Jordan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Policy analysis and planning, M&E, project management, • Reporting and communication skills • Data and information triangulation and validation skills • Database and information systems management

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org