GEF Technical Specialist (Europe and Central Asia)

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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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO's 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.
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations. In this regard, FAO is helping its member countries in strengthening their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) family of funds is the largest multilateral provider of financing for programming among all these areas; serving as a financing mechanism for five international environmental conventions\: the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Working under the guidance of the OCB-GEF Unit, FAO has been able to significantly increase its portfolio of GEF Funded projects in the recent years; including in the REU region, demonstrating continued and consistent trust from countries in FAO's support as a GEF Agency. The specialist will work to support the development and successful implementation of the GEF portfolio of projects in the REU region; in close cooperation with the OCB-GEF Unit. He/she will work closely with countries, country offices, the FAO technical officers in Regional and Sub-regional Offices and FAO partners to continue mobilizing additional resources in the REU region under the GEF-9 programming period and beyond; including implementation oversight of a selected portfolio of projects from all GEF focal areas. One of the incumbent's key responsibilities will be to support project proponents through capacity development, guidance towards technical orientations and concept note development support; as well as supporting the successful and effective project implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and closure; in compliance with GEF requirements.

Reporting Lines

The GEF Technical Specialist (GTS) will work under the overall supervision of the GEF Senior Coordinator, OCB GEF Unit, guidance of the REU GEF Regional Focal Point and direct supervision of GEF Portfolio Regional Lead for REU (GTO); in coordination with the Country Office/Field programme teams, Technical Officers, members of the Multi-disciplinary Teams and members of the GEF Coordination Unit.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical expertise for the development, approval and delivery of projects funded by the GEF family of funds for FAO Member Nations in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework, GEF Programming Directions and country priorities.

Providing strategic thematic advice and guidance on GEF programming priorities and approaches as they relate to FAO's comparative advantages and strategic framework; as well as, supporting identification, design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO-GEF projects and programmes. This includes strategic and policy work, with a focus on the nexus of agriculture, biological diversity mainstreaming, climate change and resilience, land, water, fisheries, forestry, natural capital and ecosystem services.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the strategic programming of FAO's GEF work and assists in coordinating GEF teamwork for the respective region.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist governments and Decentralized Offices in the identification and formulation of natural resource and environmental management projects for financing by the GEF family of funds.
• Assist in the management of the FAO-GEF portfolio, monitor and supervise implementation of assigned projects and make recommendations for improvement.
• Keep abreast of new developments and requirements in the GEF-managed funds.
• Contribute to the preparation of the annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIR) and to FAO's reporting to the GEF Secretariat and GEF Council.
• Participate in the design and delivery of capacity development activities to FAO technical staff and team members in Decentralized Offices on the strategies, priorities and procedures, trends and issues related to GEF managed funds.
• Collaborate with OCB-GEF Unit colleagues to ensure projects within a regional portfolio are prepared effectively and efficiently within the specified project preparation phase from concept approval to project document submission, review and approval and that projects are managed efficiently to achieve key milestones throughout the entire project cycle in a timely manner, including start up, first disbursement and closure.
• Support to meet the standards of the Project Implementation Reviews, Midterm Reviews and Terminal Evaluations.
• Identify opportunities for synergies with other vertical funds projects and to strengthen a programmatic approach at country and regional levels in the fields of climate change, biodiversity and environment.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in natural resources management, biological sciences, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, social sciences, international policy or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• One year of relevant experience designing and implementing innovative programming at the nexus between agrifood systems and the environment, including providing policy advice and analysis, applying innovative tools and approaches in environmental, and monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and Russian.

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills with proven ability to write project documents and papers in English and ability to analyse and integrate information and insights from multiple sectors.
• Extent and relevance of experience and success in mobilizing resources and building a portfolio of GEF projects and/or programmes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply decision support and knowledge management tools and methods for integrated sustainable food systems transformation related projects and programmes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and in providing clear technical and policy advice to project proponents at national, subregional and regional levels about GEF priorities, project development, and results-based management and monitoring.
• Extent and relevance of experience with and knowledge of the procedures of GEF or other environmental funds.
• Extent and relevance of experience in preparation of innovative environmental investments in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other sectors (particularly GEF projects and programmes) and supervision of multidisciplinary projects.
• Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of developing multi-focal area and/or multi-trust fund projects and programs for GEF funding or other funding.
• Extent and relevance of experience supporting countries in accessing vertical financing in the Europe and Central Asia region.
• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the GEF focal thematic areas (biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, chemicals and waste) and/or Integrated Programme, relevant to FAO's priorities and comparative advantages.

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

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• 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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