Project Portfolio Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO’s Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (FAOSLC), in collaboration with the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) and other FAO divisions, assists member countries in policy development, planning and response regarding the challenge of climate change. One of the key areas of work is providing support and accelerating countries’ capacities to access climate finance and share best practices among the countries.

Climate financing mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF) and other bilateral and multilateral climate funds have been established specifically to assist countries to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. FAO is an accredited agency for GEF, GCF and AF.

There is growing international recognition that the agricultural sectors will play a central role in responding to climate change, particularly in Small Island Development States (SIDS), as these sectors are among the foremost priorities in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the UNFCCC. FAOSLC has an important role to play in supporting its Member States to access and utilize climate finance, as evidenced by the growing number of requests from government counterparts.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant/PSA will report to the Policy Officer in the FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean in Barbados.

Technical Focus

Climate financing at the national or regional level with focus on agriculture development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist with the development of concept notes for submission to the Adaptation Fund. This will include revising sections of the initial project idea description, liaising with officials of the government to facilitate engagement, researching relevant information, and planning and coordinating meetings with stakeholders.
• Assist with reviewing and revising the GCF readiness proposals and concept notes for full proposals.
• Support the office of the Budget Holder with the design and implementation of the GEF portfolio in SLC. This will include but not be limited to:
  • Support the office of the Budget Holder with the hosting of Project Task Force meetings. This will include but not be limited to scheduling of meetings, dissemination of invitations, other meeting documents and drafting of minutes and ensuring uploading them into FPMIS.
  • Assist with the drafting and implementation of the Project Preparation Grants (PPG).
  • Assist with coordination of supervision missions, including briefing operational focal points on project progress.
  • Assist with coordination of FAO’s provision of technical input into project implementation.
  • Assist with overseeing procurement and financial management to ensure implementation is in line with FAO’s policies and timeline.
• Assist with the disbursement of funds to the Executing Agencies and reviewing financial reports.
• Assist with the preparation of reports required for submission to the GEF Secretariat.
• Assist with monitoring and reviewing project expenditure reports.
• Assist with preparing periodic revisions to reflect changes in annual expense category budgets.

Perform any other related duties and activities as required by the Sub-Regional Coordinator and Policy Officer for Environment and Climate Change.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in international relations, development studies, climate change, agriculture, environmental sciences, natural resource management or a related appropriate field.
• A minimum of 12 months work experience in the field of climate change, agriculture, rural development preferably in an international environment, with experience supporting the development and implementation of GEF and GCF projects.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish for Consultants; Working knowledge of English for PSA Subscribers.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations with various target audiences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Facilitation and coordination skills
• Strategic advice
• Relevant experience in gender mainstreaming;
• Experience with analyzing and writing technical documents
• Experience working with government institutions (agricultural, environment) in the Latin America and Caribbean region (Caribbean preferred)
• Ability and self-initiative to carry out assigned tasks within deadlines in a team as well as under minimal supervision.
• Good organizational skills