Biodiversity Coordinator for the Solomon Islands

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Setting

The Biodiversity Coordinator will oversee the implementation of the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries Phase III (ACP MEAs 3). The programme promotes environmental sustainability in ACP countries by strengthening environmental governance and the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). The target MEAs are the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) and indirectly the United Nations Convention to Combat Diversification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The programme will support ecosystem-based practices and approaches for agriculture and the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity that ensure environmental sustainability while increasing productivity. The focus country in the Pacific region is the Solomon Islands.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will report to the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and work under the technical guidance of the ACP MEs 3 Regional Coordinator. The Biodiversity Coordinator will liaise closely with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Technical Focus

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the technical guidance of the ACP MEAs Regional Coordinator, the Biodiversity Coordinator will liaise closely with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. He/She will be responsible for the daily implementation and management of the programme in the focus countries. He/she will work in close collaboration will the SAP Programme Team and the ACP MEAs programme team.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specific functions:

• Serve as the FAO’s point of contact, provides strategic direction and is overall responsible for the delivery of the field programme;
• Manage national activities and day-to-day coordination and communication with the programme national partners and proposes eventual shifts in project implementation strategies if the project is not performing as planned;
• Provide direct policy and technical assistance to the governments, guides the analysis of policies and incentives related to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity and provides technical assistance to the integration of ecosystem-based measures in agriculture;
• Inform activities on establishing cross-sectorial implementation and coordination mechanisms in relation to sustainable management of biodiversity across agricultural and environmental sectors;
• Identify and/or arranges for the provision of specific national expertise on a need basis;
• Organise national workshops, events and progress review and planning meetings with local stakeholders and the programme team;
• Supervise and conduct regular visits to the field sites and producers groups directly or indirectly (through the partners) engaged by the programme;
• Establish working relations with appropriate national and local institutions (government and grass-roots organizations) to ensure effective implementation of project supported activities at national and local level;
• Establish collaboration with value chain actors to link producers producing sustainably to the market;
• Ensure synergies with the EU-funded FIRST project and with other relevant country initiatives on biodiversity and sustainable agriculture;
• Contribute to the preparation of programme documents, reports and publications;
• Organise national communication events to increase the programme outreach and achievements;
• Coordinate the collection and consolidation of data to monitor progress;
• Perform other duties as needed to facilitate project implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture, Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Political Science or related field
• 7 years of relevant experience in agricultural policy and project management
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven capacity to work with and establish working relationships with medium to high-level government and non-government representatives
• Experience in project management and coordination
• Experience in working with international donors including bilateral donors;
• Excellent oral and written English skills

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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

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