Project Officer (Subregional Ecosystem-based Adaptation Programme)

Organizational Setting The Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) plays a coordinating role with FAO National Representations in the Subregion (10 countries), overseeing the implementation of regional projects and providing technical support to the Governments, institutions, and organizations of the Central American Integration System (SICA) to directly contribute to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. In this Subregional Office, particular attention is given to technical assistance for the Dry Corridor and Arid Zones of the Mesoamerican region. This area stands out as one of the most climate change-vulnerable tropical regions in the world, where various dimensions - environmental, productive, economic, and social - converge. Agriculture and sustainable natural resource management play a significant role in addressing these challenges, which is why it is one of the prioritized territories for SLM. The Project Officer (Subregional Ecosystem-based Adaptation Programme) will lead the implementation of project activities within the component led by FAO as the executing entity for the regional project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for the Dry Corridor and Arid Zones of the Dominican Republic, co-financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The post is located in the Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) in Panama City, Panama.

Reporting Lines The Project Officer (Subregional Ecosystem-based Adaptation Programme) reports to the Subregional Coordinator of the Subregional Office for Mesoamerica, with technical oversight from the Agricultural Officer, and works in close collaboration with CABEI's Regional Project Manager (RPM).

Technical Focus Supports and monitors all aspects of the implementation of the Subregional Ecosystem-based Adaptation Programme in seven countries of Mesoamerica and financed by the CABEI and the GCF and ensures an effective coordination among relevant project stakeholders during the implementation phase, serving as a focal point to facilitate various stakeholder engagements.

Key Results Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions • Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, the implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists to the review of relevant documents and reports. • Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages. • Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects. • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases. • Oversees the updating of databases and web pages. • Participates on multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices. • Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools. • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations. • Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions • Contributes to the overall implementation of project activities under FAO's responsibility, including budget monitoring, establishing the project's implementation and procurement plan and progress and final reports. • Participates on the technical team of the Regional Project Management Unit and ensure its proper functioning. • Coordinates the establishment and maintenance of functional and institutional links at national and subregional level (agriculture and environmental ministers and Central American Agricultural and Environmental Councils, mainly) to secure support during and after project implementation, including monitoring project outputs and results. • Provides operational and day-to-day policy guidance and assists the CABEI's Regional Project Manager (RPM) in overseeing the regional and national teams. • Collaborates in the outreach efforts designed to inform stakeholders about progress, achievements, potential setbacks, and priority needs in project implementation. • Engages regional policy makers in identifying necessary steps to accelerate policy and regulatory reform efforts to encourage investment. • In coordination with the project's technical specialists and FAO Country Offices, as well as the involved government counterparts at the national level, prepares a work plan for each country and the regional component, in line with the project's objectives, components, and deliverables, and the project's execution timeline. • Provides the necessary operational and managerial oversight to meet annual work plan targets. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), environmental sciences, international cooperation or related field. • Five years of relevant experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Spanish and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of English.

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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. • Work experience in Central America is desirable. • Extent and relevance of experience in programmes and projects, planning, implementation and monitoring at the field and local levels, with demonstrated capacity to influence higher scale policy and institutional processes based on programme advances. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams. • Knowledge of the project cycle and administrative, operational and financial procedures related to operations and project management (GCF, GEF-Global Environment Facility, among others). • Understanding of UN or FAO policies and programmes is considered an asset.