Climate Change Risk Mapping and Good Practices Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Eswatini have partnered since the country joined the Organization in 1971. FAO assistance has covered the formulation and implementation of food security and nutrition policies, including risk reduction and management strategies, and activities to increase agricultural productivity. More recently, cooperation has included a focus on market access and agricultural competiveness, with support to smallholders’ transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Emphasis is also given to the sustainable management of natural resources.

FAO Eswatini is implementing a number of Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCP) projects and Emergency programmes. The TCP provides assistance in all areas pertaining to FAO’s mandate and competence that are covered by the Strategic Framework to respond to governments’ priority needs. These short-term, catalytic and sustainable projects are driven by the demands and priorities of member countries, addressing critical gaps in hunger and malnutrition eradication, sustainable production, rural poverty reduction more efficient and inclusive food chains and building resilience to crisis. TCP projects catalyze change, foster capacity development and assist countries in mobilizing resources, in line with the Country Programming Frameworks agreed to with governments. Currently FAO Eswatini is supporting a number of TCPs with the Ministry of Agriculture and jointly collaborating with other Ministries as related to projects.

The Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP) assists developing countries, member of the NDC Partnership, in achieving two overarching objectives namely 1) Enhancement of NDCs, including by raising ambition, as part of the Paris Agreement’s NDC update process; and fast-track implementation of NDCs, including by providing in-country technical expertise and capacity building. In Eswatini, CAEP has partnered with Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Commonwealth Secretariat, FAO, NDC Partnership Support Unit, UN Environment Programme and World Resources Institute to implement the NDC Partnership support initiative.

Through this partnership, FAO has been tasked with implementing five of the activities covering: a) climate risk mapping, b) identification of livestock emissions reduction options, c) development of a green growth strategy , d) assisting in design of climate smart policy instruments, as well as, e) facilitating Multi stakeholder dialogue.

Reporting lines

The National Consultant: Climate Change Risk Mapping and Good Practices will perform this assignment under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Eswatini / SFS Sub Regional Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative/Programmes, with technical support from the Sub Regional Agrofood Systems and Investment Policy Specialist.

The post is located in the FAO Eswatini office.

Technical Focus

The Eswatini FAO Country office intends to engage a National Consultant to assist with two of the activities namely

a) Risk mapping to identify most vulnerable communities and disadvantage groups to inform adaptation targets and actions and b) identify and codify good practices for NDC implementation in user-focused knowledge products and tools disseminated through strategic partner networks.

Moreover, with the current situation regarding COVID-19, it is expected that the project will also contribute towards addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the relevant thematic areas.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Risk mapping and profiling

• Carry out situational analysis and literature review to familiarise with i) Government of Eswatini policy thrust in addressing climate change as espoused in the National Policy Framework(national policies, strategies and incentive frameworks), ii) global and/or regional best practices and international benchmarks in climate risk analysis;
• Design consultation instruments and checklists and consult with various stakeholders including a database on structural groups of similar/surrogate data that can be used to infer hazard characteristics for hazards for which no data are available; established partnerships with external experts and external advisory groups for consultation; specific templates to collate the relevant data on a given incident, along with a situation summary template and the risk management questions to address (this can help to expedite initiation of the risk assessment); and A compilation of reference values (exposure limits) published by regulatory agencies.
• Carry out consultative engagements and pre-validation processes(through key informant interviews and a one day consultative meeting) with key stakeholders
• With technical guidance of relevant FAO technical units produce a climate risk mapping report which identifies the most vulnerable communities and disadvantaged groups to inform adaptation targets and actions
• Present the report to key stakeholders including Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Commonwealth Secretariat, FAO, NDC Partnership Support Unit, UN Environment Programme and World Resources Institute

Identify And Codify Good Practices For NDC Implementation

• Carry out situational analysis and literature review to familiarise with i) Government of Eswatini policy thrust in addressing climate change as espoused in the National Policy Framework(national policies, strategies and incentive frameworks), ii) global and/or regional best practices and international benchmarks in NDC Implementation;
• Design consultation instruments and checklists and consult with various stakeholders
• Carry out consultative engagements and pre-validation processes(through key informant interviews and a one day consultative meeting) with key stakeholders
• With technical guidance of relevant FAO technical units produce a Report which identifies and codifies the good practices for NDC Implementation
• Present the report to key stakeholders including Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Commonwealth Secretariat, FAO, NDC Partnership Support Unit, UN Environment Programme and World Resources Institute
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Agricultural Economics, Climate Change, Development Economics, Political Sciences, Rural Sociology, Food Security, Nutrition, Sustainable Agriculture (including Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries), Geography, or related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in knowledge sharing relating to natural resources management, climate change, agri-livelihoods, agribusiness, value chain development and overall food and nutrition security
• Working knowledge of English.
• Nationals of Eswatini

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Understanding of UN policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
• A proven understanding of the Eswatini biodiversity and agricultural sector;
• General understanding of the agriculture sector in Eswatini context

Selection criteria

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Extent and relevance of experience in Climate Change analysis.
• Experience in the field of Natural Resource Management Systems in Southern Africa and Eswatini in particular.
• Experience with advising governments and/or agricultural sector stakeholders on Climate Change issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation and technical backstopping and leading multidisciplinary teams for technical implementation.
• Capacity to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and present ideas and recommendations in a clear and understandable manner.
• Ability to work independently, strong analytical skills and problem-solving
• Computer literacy with Word, PowerPoint and basic spreadsheets (Excel).
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and presentation skills in English and Siswati

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 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.