Natural Resources Officer (Policy Analysis)

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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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. OCB assists FAO Members in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Office also serves as the focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), Commission on Biological Diversity (CBD) and topics on bioenergy as well as on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), ecosystem restoration and green and climate resilient agriculture.
The post is located in the Climate Support team of OCB at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Natural Resources Officer (Policy Analysis) reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer in OCBD (Climate Support team).

Technical Focus
Within the framework of the project “Scaling up Climate Ambition on Agriculture and Land-use through NDC and NAPs” (SCALA) - UNFA/GLO.092/UND, the Natural Resources Officer (Policy Analysis) promotes climate action in agrifood systems through technical and policy support for planning, implementing and reporting on national climate plans - i.e. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) - as well as engagement with and contribution to global UNFCCC processes.

Key Results
Collection and analysis of information, data, statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions
• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.
• Updates databases and web pages.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary project/work teams.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions
• Contributes to the successful implementation of the SCALA project in accordance with its workplan.
• Assists with policy and technical guidance to countries for the development and implementation of climate action in agrifood systems, in coordination with FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices, including technical backstopping.
• Contributes to the development of capacity development materials, including methodologies, tools, policy briefs and technical reports related to transformative climate action in agrifood systems.
• Undertakes climate change policy analysis and manages FAO database on national climate change policies (i.e. NDCs and NAPs) and agrifood system priorities.
• Conducts analytical research on adaptation and mitigation options and trends in agrifood systems and develops advocacy materials on FAOs work on climate change.
• Assists in liaising with partners, international bodies and partnerships on climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sectors, including reporting under UNFCCC processes.
• Assists in the development of cross-cutting programmes in various nexus areas relevant for climate change in agrifood systems (e.g. water, biodiversity, social protection), including preparation of proposals for resource mobilization.
• Facilitates knowledge sharing and coordination with partners, networks and multi-stakeholder platforms.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in relevant area such as environmental/agricultural sciences, political science, public policy or related fields.
• Three years of relevant experience in policy analysis and technical assistance in the field of climate change and agrifood systems.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions.
• Extent of knowledge and experience in providing technical guidance on national climate policies, particularly NDCs and NAPs.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and experience in the preparation of methodologies, tools, technical reports, policy briefs and capacity development materials on transformative climate action in agriculture and land use.
• Extent of knowledge and experience in qualitative policy analysis and database management within the larger framework of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Familiarity with international climate change negotiations, processes and mechanisms under the UNFCCC, in particular, in relations to NAPs and NDCs and the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
• Demonstrated skills and experiences in inter-agency collaboration and multi-stakeholder coordination
• Working knowledge of Spanish (intermediate - level B) is considered an asset.