IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to design, implement, and partly finance low emissions and climate-resilient projects aligned with its global commitments. The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the Delivery Partner, in close collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA) - the Department of Planning and Finance (DPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
The project has the following objectives:
• Objective 1 – Capacity building: To enhance NDA and Ministries capacity to design and implement GCF projects and streamline climate data collection, analysis, and information sharing systems
• Objective 2 – Strategic Frameworks: To undertake a comprehensive Readiness Needs Assessment, update the GCF Country Programme and develop new financial mechanisms for investment in climate action
• Objective 4 – Pipeline development: To further develop a concept note in the Country Programme and studies for the Funding Proposal while building capacity of the Environment Protection Fund as its potential DAE
• Objective 5 - Knowledge sharing and learning: To support NDA and line ministries to learn from other countries, prepare and disseminate knowledge products on GCF programming and develop new financial mechanisms for sustainable investment in climate action
The Project Management Unit (PMU), based at DPC/MAE, is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project under the direction of the NDA and in line with technical guidance from FAO.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR-Programme, technical guidance from the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the International Climate Finance Expert and in close coordination with the national project team, the incumbent will perform the following tasks and responsibilities.
Technical Focus
The National Climate Finance Expert will:
• Undertake desk review of national policies and the existing GCF Country Programme, and produce the updated Country Programme 2024–2027 as primary drafter
• Provide technical support to the review and prioritisation of the GCF project pipeline in alignment with GCF Strategic Plan 2024–2027
• Provide technical support in drafting the Climate Finance Guidebook covering GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, and bilateral mechanisms in both Lao and English
• Provide technical support to RNA consultation workshops and contribute national context inputs to the Readiness Needs Assessment
• Provide technical support to PFES consultation and experience-sharing workshops and document lessons learned
• Provide national research, data collection, and technical support for the Funding Proposal of EFF as DAE
Tasks and responsibilities
Task 1: Desk review and Country Programme update (Output 2.1.1)
Working under the methodological guidance of the International Climate Finance Expert:
• Compile and analyse national policies including the updated NDC, NCCS, 10th NSEDP, and sectoral development plans
• Review the existing GCF Country Programme 2021–2023 and identify gaps, lessons, and areas for updating
• Produce the desk review report as primary author; share with Int'l Expert for review and approval before FAO submission
• Work with the National Institutional Specialist to support logistics of both consultation workshops
• Provide technical support to Consultation Workshop 1 (stakeholder review of existing CP) ensuring ≥50% women's participation
• Provide technical support to Consultation Workshop 2 (validation of draft updated CP) ensuring ≥50% women's participation
• Produce workshop reports for both consultations including gender-disaggregated participant lists
• Provide technical support in drafting the Country Programme 2024–2027 under Int'l Expert guidance, covering the climate investment plan, updated pipeline, and alignment with GCF Strategic Plan 2024–2027
Task 2: GCF pipeline review (Output 2.1.1)
• Map all existing GCF pipeline concepts and review each against GCF2 results framework, investment criteria, and national priorities
• Provide inputs for the pipeline review report with prioritisation recommendations by incorporating Int'l Expert guidance
• Assist in identification of new project opportunities aligned with GCF results areas.
Task 3: Climate Finance Guidebook (Output 2.1.1)
In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
• Research and assist in drafting the Climate Finance Guidebook covering GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, and bilateral mechanisms
• Ensure the Guidebook is practical, user-friendly, and adapted to the Lao PDR context with locally relevant examples
• Prepare the Guidebook in both English and Lao language
• Incorporate quality assurance feedback from the International Climate Finance Expert into all revised versions
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.
Task 4: Readiness Needs Assessment — facilitation and national inputs (supporting Output 2.2.1)
• Provide technical support in RNA consultation workshops with national stakeholders ensuring gender-inclusive participation
• Contribute to national policy context sections and locally sourced data to the RNA report
• Document stakeholder feedback from RNA consultations and share with the International Climate Finance Expert
Task 5: PFES consultation and experience sharing (Output 2.4.1)
• Provide technical support in consultation process with with MAF, DoPC/MAE, and EFF to organise PFES consultation and experience-sharing workshops
• Provide technical support to workshops in coordination with the FAO personnel (project team member) ensuring gender-responsive design, including attention to women's land tenure and benefit-sharing
• Document lessons learned and best practices from PFES pilot implementation
• Produce all PFES workshop reports and the lessons-learned paper as primary author
Cross-cutting responsibilities (all outputs)
• Maintain minimum weekly coordination with the FAO personnel (project team member); share all drafts before FAO submission; document and address feedback
• Provide technical support and coordinate with the FAO personnel (project team member) o n all consultation logistics and related project coordination processes
• Provide technical support and coordinate with the FAO personnel (project team member) in considering gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches in all related activities per FAO Gender Policy and GCF Gender Policy
• Contribute to project progress reports and participate in coordination meetings
• Document lessons learned and best practices for project knowledge management
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in Natural Resources Management, Economics, accounting and finance, Climate Change, or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in climate finance, climate change policy, or development finance in Lao PDR
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Lao.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Knowledge of the GCF, preferably with experience in GCF programming
• Extent and relevance of experience of the national policy frameworks and strategic planning processes.
Selection criteria
• Demonstrated experience in developing climate investment plans or climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes/projects
• Experience conducting desk reviews, policy analysis, and strategic framework development
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultation workshops and participatory planning processes
• Knowledge of the GCF, preferably with experience in GCF programming, proposal
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT