National Project Technical Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO's Subregional Office for West Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing Subregional agri-food systems and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Representations (FAORs) in the sub region with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa. The Subregional office also works directly with country offices in the implementation of subregional and regional projects.
The GCF funded project\: Accelerating Actions towards effective climate risks management in key sectors in Sierra Leone is a three-year project aimed at assessing climate stresses in key sectors, conduct series of stakeholder engagements/consultations, review Initial (NAP) to assess progress and identify the remaining gaps for inclusion into Full National Adaptation Plan (NAP) that the project will develop. The project is structured with a focus on four interventions areas below while guaranteeing gender integration. The country developed an Initial NAP from desk review which has expired. This project will go beyond desk review to include studies, research and vulnerability assessment of key sectors and develop the Full National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
The GCF funded project\: Accelerating Actions towards effective climate risks management in key sectors in Sierra Leone is a three-year project aimed at assessing climate stresses in key sectors, conduct series of stakeholder engagements/consultations, review Initial NAP to assess progress and identify the remaining gaps for inclusion into Full NAP that is to be developed. It is structured with a focus on four interventions areas below while guaranteeing gender integration
a) Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination.
b) Evidence base for climate change adaptation planning and investment.
c) Private sector engagement and investment strategy in adaptation; and
d) Climate adaptation financing.

Reporting lines

A National Project Technical Specialist will work with the CTA and other consultants by providing project technical expertise at country level. The Specialist will report to the FAOR, Sierra Leone on administrative and managerial issues and to the AFAOR on programmatic and technical issues.

Technical focus

The National Project Technical Specialist will support the National Project Coordinator (NPC) in the overall project implementation, coordination and collaboration and in stakeholder engagement at chiefdom, district and national levels. The Specialist will support the National Project Coordinator by providing technical specialist skills in the implementation of the project, will assist in providing periodic technical advise to the NPC, the NDA, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the GCF Focal Person, SFW and RAF.

Task and responsibilities

The National Project Technical Specialist will carry out the following tasks\:

• Provide technical backstopping and operational guidance to the National Project Coordinator and the PMU,
• Support the NPC in planning and adjusting project activities, workplans, and budgets in line with GCF rules.
• Work with the NPC in drafting or reviewing the technical aspects of Terms of Reference (TORs) for consultancies and assist the NPC and the HR with incorporation and review of the technical aspects of the recruitment processes.
• Assist in technical coordination and monitoring of projects/programmes
• Support in coordinating and organizing training, workshops and other events
• Document all events, store and manage records and reference files in electronic registry and hard copy
• Participate in some interviews and bid openings
• Execute the NAP process at country level as per the GCF financing proposal.
• Provide national technical support in climate risk assessment in key sectors, vulnerability mapping and in the NAP process at national level.
• Advise government and stakeholders on climate adaptation policies and frameworks.
• Ensure integration of climate risk considerations into national development planning.
• Track progress using indicators (including gender-sensitive ones)
• Facilitate national multi-stakeholder consultations and workshops
• Build institutional and technical capacities of national and local actors.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the Project Coordinator or Steering Committee.

Technical Coordination

• Prepare national project technical progress report (every 6 months in accordance with FAO reporting requirements)

Project Management

With reference to project management, the Specialist will perform among other the following functions\:
• Work directly with all national and international consultants on the technical aspects in the project implementation,
• Technically review deliverables from national consultants
• Support the international consultants in their different technical services
• Provide technical advice to the NPC in the day-to-day management of the project and coordination of planning, implementation supervision of activities to ensure efficient provision of both administrative and technical support services;
• Take note and minutes of meetings and workshops etc
• Assist in ensuring that FAO standards and GCF requirements are fulfilled to the highest quality, and will assist ensuring fluid communication between all stakeholders of the project (including FAO, the NDA and other stakeholders)
• Work with the NPC to develop annual work plans to support the efficient implementation of the project.

Technical Coordination

• Technically assist in capacity development of government staff and other stakeholders through knowledge sharing activities.
• Support the NPC in coordinating the timely and quality implementation of overall project components by providing technical support and ensuring appropriate linkages amongst the consultants and other actors.
• Assist in the day-to-day management of the NAP project, including monitoring progress, tracking activities, and ensuring adherence to work plans and timelines
• Assist in preparing project progress report (every 6 months in accordance with FAO reporting requirements)
• Assist in coordinating organizing and conducting assessments, consultations and workshops, including arranging logistics
• Assist in working and coordinating with relevant national stakeholders and communities in service delivery.
• Adhere to FAO’s rules and standards of behaviour.
• Ensure that gender and social inclusion considerations are integrated into all aspects of the NAP process, promoting a participatory approach that considers the needs of all stakeholders.
• Provide support to the project team on technical aspects related to climate change adaptation, including research, data collection, and analysis.
• Assist in the preparation of project reports, work plans, and other relevant documents, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
• Perform other tasks as may be requested by the Specialist’s technical supervisor - the NPC

Project management and administration

• Support the NPC in developing project work plan and expenditure plan and identify risks that may affect project results and apply corresponding mitigation strategies.
• Work with the NPC to develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system for project deliverables
• Assist in ensuring the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, communication and human rights, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure good coordination and collaboration with governments, beneficiaries, key stakeholders etc.
• Represent the project in national/international fora on NAP and climate adaptation/mitigation in the absence of the NPC
Policy advice and knowledge management\:
• Assist in providing strategic policy advice to the NDA, GCF Focal Person, relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies and other partners on issues related to NAP.
• Assist in knowledge management and capacity strengthening at national level;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in climate change, project management, business administration or a related area will be an added advantage
• At least 5-years’ experience in project management and implementation related to the environment and climate
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Sierra Leone.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills\:

• In depth understanding of GCF operations, NAP development and climate risk assessment;
• Ability to lead and coordinate the project teams for effective delivery of projects objectives and expected results, within the limits of the budget and timeline of the project.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize large amount of data into analytical and practical knowledge/ information.
• Extensive professional experience in coordination of climate change or NAP projects/programmes.
• Extensive experience in leading (physically and/or remotely) field teams and provide technical expertise and strategical backstopping during the implementation of the proposal
• Previous work experience in coordinating GCF or global project would be an added advantage.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in land governance is an added advantage.
• Thorough knowledge of national institutions, and their mandates
• Previous working experience with UN or international organizations will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Knowledge of the Green Climate Fund architecture, the NDC and the transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.
• Experience in organizing, facilitating and generating reports for workshops and interinstitutional dialogues.
• Experience in international founded projects related to environmental management and climate change.
• Experience in working with Government
• Knowledge in an other language may be an added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION