Programme Specialist / Environment

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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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• 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

Organizational Setting

The Climate and Environment Division of FAO assists member countries in their responses towards the climate change, including the mitigation of climate change as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry to the effects of climate change. It provides a coordination role on climate Change and related climate smart agriculture issues. The Division also serves as a focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to bioeconomy and bioenergy as well as undertaking work and providing support and guidance on environmental and social standards and sustainability.

Reporting Lines

The Consultants will work under technical supervision and reports directly to Natural Resources Officer under the overall guidance of Environment Workstream Leader at OCB. When activities are carried out in regions and countries, the consultant will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as with relevant FAO regional office.

Technical Focus

Technical support for FAO's global engagement and regional/country support for environmental sustainability including assessing and monitoring agriculture and food security risks from climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, mainstreaming the environmental sustainability of agri-food systems in relevant FAO's policies, strategies, plans and frameworks (e.g., Multilateral Environmental Agreements, UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy agenda, UN Environmental Management Group, UN Reform and others), and foresight for emerging environmental issues for food security and nutrition.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the development of new and implementation of the existing programs and projects addressing environmental sustainability of agri-food systems;
• Support in the establishment and management of partnerships for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration facilitated by OCB/FAO;
• Support internal/within FAO coordination in delivering the Decade objectives/relevant outputs, including coordination of consolidated OCB inputs into relevant processes and products of the Decade;
• Uses environmental economics analyses and findings to support policy and programme design to reduce natural capital degradation and restore natural capital, whilst increasing ecosystem and climate resilience, food and nutrition security, and sustainable economic development, including relevant Rio Conventions, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and other multilateral mechanisms and processes.
• Represent OCB at relevant meetings of Task Forces established for the Decade, meeting and other fora upon request;
• Provide technical inputs to reports and publications of the Decade;
• Develop digital content of OCB contributions to the Decade;
• Provide administrative, project management, and information management support;
• Assist with the organization of internal and external meetings and outreach events, developing necessary background materials, and report writing;
• Support the implementation of the strategic partnership between FAO and UNEP;
• Support advocacy and communication efforts including the development of a framework for measuring results, with particular emphasis on sustainable use of natural resources for food security and nutrition;
• Provide operational support at divisional level in data management tasks, organization of meetings, workshops, webinars, preparation of contracts, and other requests that may arise;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in a subject matter related to environmental management, economics, environmental policy or environmental sciences or any other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• One to four years (for CAT C) of relevant experience and at least five years relevant experience (for CAT B) of relevant experience in environmental management or relevant field of relevance to agri-food sector.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish, and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian if required by the assignment (for consultants); Working Knowledge of English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic or Chinese (for PSA).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analyzing, and translating into policy and action complex technical information and data related to climate change, biodiversity and environment for food and agriculture and related areas;
• Practical knowledge of global environmental issues and familiarity with major frameworks of relevant multilateral environmental agreements and processes;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development of tools and methodologies, policy support, editing and revision of technical/scientific/policy documents;
• Extent and relevance of experience in mobilizing partners and financial resources, establishing networks, organizing meetings and events at national and international levels and in coordinating multi-disciplinary consultations for inputs in areas relevant to FAO;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development of tools and methodologies, policy support, editing and revision of technical/scientific/policy documents addressing natural capital valuation and mainstreaming into policy and decision-making.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.

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