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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 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.
In 2021, Sierra Leone published its initial National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The initial NAP includes a stocktake of adaptation priorities, vulnerabilities, and measures across seven (7) identified priority sectors, based purely on desk research and literature review. The initial NAP explicitly states the need to develop a full NAP, informed by context-specific national and sectoral climate information and evidence generated through detailed vulnerability assessments. To this end, FAO, in collaboration with EPA, launched a NAP readiness project in 2025. The NAP Readiness project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Titled: “Accelerating Action Towards Effective Climate Risk Management in Key Sectors in Sierra Leone,” the project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Sierra Leone, in close collaboration with EPA. The project’s objective is to strengthen climate-risk management in key adaptation sectors in Sierra Leone. The project will conduct detailed vulnerability assessments and strengthen institutional collaboration on climate adaptation. It will also engage stakeholders from government institutions, NGOs, research institutions, local communities, the private sector, and other relevant groups at national and sub-national levels. The Project aims to tackle the gaps of weak capacities in National Adaptation Planning, lack of a comprehensive vulnerability Assessment in the initial NAP, lack of a comprehensive Climate Change Data centre and limited private sector involvement in climate action.
The project seeks to recruit an expert to provide technical support in setting up a system for monitoring and reporting on Adaptation action and finance, aligned with the MEL framework, to be included in the full NAP. Primarily, the target is to track how the NAP process is progressing and whether the planned phases/activities are being completed. Therefore, the expert is to support the set up a process-oriented monitoring system, measuring the quality and progress of NAP planning and implementation, while facilitating an adaptive adaptation planning approach. This monitoring system will be housed at the National Secretariat for Climate Change (NSCC) and managed by EPA staff.
Reporting Line
The expert will work under the direct supervision of the NAP National Project Coordinator in Sierra Leone and in close collaboration with the National Technical Project Specialist with support and backstopping from the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and the LTO.
Technical Focus
To set up a monitoring system for monitoring and reporting Adaptation actions, planning processes and finance in alignment with the MEL framework to be included in the full NAP.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Develop a comprehensive, user-friendly monitoring system ready to be integrated into the NAP’s MEL framework, including data collection tools, indicators - mostly process indicators, and reporting formats;
• Develop and support a validated finance tracking framework to track climate adaptation finance, aligned with national and international standards;
• Develop well-defined, gender responsive process indicators tracking the progress of NAP development / adaptation planning processes, for instance (not exclusive to) measuring number of stakeholder consultations held; sectors engaged; technical studies validated and completed; ToRs finalized; NAP documents submitted for approval etc.
• Develop a webinar on monitoring systems and documentation of feedback and input collected during workshops and consultations,
• Develop a comprehensive training manual defining system purpose, data management, maintenance procedures, target users, and costs;
• Prepare and summarize outcomes of the online webinar and training workshops, including participation details and key takeaways;
• Develop a training and clear guidelines for the management, maintenance, and periodic review of the monitoring system;
• Report on training sessions conducted, including participant feedback and assessed capacity improvements;
• Prepare an overall report summarizing the development process, outputs delivered, stakeholder engagement, challenges, and recommendations for sustainability;
• Provide a functional prototype or pilot version of the monitoring system housed at the National Climate Change Secretariat at the EPA, ready for use.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree in environmental science, economics, statistics, modelling, climate change, project management and any other related field
• At least 5 years’ experience in monitoring and reporting, finance tracking, and results-based MEAL systems
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Sierra Leone or resident of the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Knowledge of monitoring systems and finance tracking
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and coordination skills.
• Excellent Communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, and private sector.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.
Selection criteria
• Previous experience working on similar projects
• Proven knowledge of GCF procedures and MRV.
• Excellent analytical skills including the ability to critically analyze policies, conduct capacity assessments, and synthesize findings into comprehensive reports.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- 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/
- For additional employment opportunities 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.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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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