REDD+ / Halting deforestation Specialist – Latin America

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

In the overall framework of REDD process (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries), FAO supports countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific to achieve the following outcomes\:

- Design and adopt national contributions to the mitigation of climate change through REDD , including the provision of additional social and environmental benefits, and in conformity with the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s REDD safeguards;
- Implement national contributions to the mitigation of climate change though REDD with the necessary institutional arrangements in place;
- Development and improvement MRV capacities, institutional framework and carbon rights to access results based payments;
- Access Results Based Payments (RBP), mobilize finance and re-invest the proceeds to achieve new emission reductions.

FAO takes the lead in supporting countries and in the generation of knowledge on issues related to forestry and agriculture, removing deforestation from commodities value chains, sustainable forest management of natural forest and the development of cost effective and reliable National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) and Measure, Report and Verification (MRV) process.

To deliver such support FAO works through a variety of projects and programmes, the flagship of which being the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme), a collaboration between FAO, UNDP and UNEP. UN-REDD builds on the convening power of its participating UN agencies, their diverse expertise and vast networks, and “delivers as One UN”. FAO also in the direct support to countries through multilateral (GCF, GEF, etc.) and bilateral projects.

Reporting Lines

The specialist will work with the REDD /Halting deforestation, degradation and emissions Team in collaboration with the NFM/Monitoring and data platforms Team, and with other FAO teams as appropriate. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Team Leader(s), in collaboration with colleagues in the region, and in dialogue with the headquarter focal point for Latin America and other FAO global experts as needed.

Technical Focus

This call for expression of interest embeds expertise to provide technical backstopping and support at country and regional level on REDD process, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), latest UNFCCC negotiations and decisions on climate change mitigation in the field of agriculture, forest and land use, REDD Measuring Reporting and Verification and related connections to climate finance emerging schemes and opportunities, advice on REDD actions and to support country delivery of the REDD team and National Forest Management team portfolio aligned with the FAO Strategic Objectives in Latin American countries (LAC) , as follows\:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical support to national counterparts in UN-REDD countries (or other countries of actions of the REDD team in LAC, where needs are identified, and finance secured) to enhance the environmental integrity and quality of REDD results and assist countries to meet relevant requirements under the UNFCCC and for other forest and climate accounting standards;
• Provide technical assistance, including via field missions / trainings / south-south exchanges as needed, based on country needs and jointly identified with supervisor. Technical spectrum encompass\: REDD framework process, NDCs, UNFCCC latest decisions and process on agriculture, forestry and land use; REDD implementation actions, safeguards, removing conversion from agriculture commodities and enhancing linkages with food systems transformation; REDD MRV (GHG-I/reporting and/or reference levels, and/or nesting);
• Provide technical backstopping to specific REDD Results-Based Payments (RBPs) projects in LAC and roll out phase in coordination with the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), if required;
• Contribute to country efforts on building capacity for transparency, National Determined Contributions (NDCs), Biennial Transparency Report, GHG-I, and links with REDD under the UNFCCC;
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the REDD and NFM team LAC work-plan for the specific countries to be assigned to his/her responsibility; actively contribute to the preparation of annual and semi-annual reports on progresses, as well as on specific country briefs and contribution in the preparation of publications/concept notes when requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in forestry, agriculture, biology, ecology, or a related field (for Consultants)
• At least one year of relevant experience in REDD processes, climate change policy, including experience in the formulation and implementation of forest-related policies, and/or MRV
• Working knowledge (Level C) of Spanish, and limited knowledge (Level B) of English. For PSA, only working knowledge of Spanish is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Extent and relevance of experience REDD , and their requirements in MRV at different levels and/or safeguards processes
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity development and written and oral communication skills on technical issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in project development, implementation, networking, and partnership building.
• Very good sense of organization and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Familiarity with UN, intergovernmental and international organizations related to forestry, UNFCCC latest decisions on agriculture, forestry, and land use, is considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Food Systems, including country pathways for food systems transformation, and international dialogues on forests, agriculture and commodities would be an asset.


Selection Criteria

• Level C of English would be an added value for PSAs.
• Applicants should be based in LAC.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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