Climate Finance Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in collaboration with the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) and other FAO divisions assists member countries in policy development, planning and response regarding challenge of climate change. One of the key areas of work is providing support and accelerating countries’ capacities to access climate finance and share best practices among the countries.

Climate financing mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF) and other bilateral and multilateral climate funds have been established specifically to assist countries to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. FAO is an accredited agency for GEF, GCF and AF.

There is growing international recognition that the agricultural sectors will play a central role in responding to climate change, as these sectors are among the foremost priorities in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the UNFCCC. FAO in the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean has an important role to play in supporting its Member States to access and utilize climate finance, as evidenced by the growing number of requests from government counterparts.

Stakeholder involvement

The active participation of stakeholders will be critical to the achievement of results and sustainability over time. The beneficiaries at the institutional level include the National Designated Authorities and focal points for the respective funds, the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries and Climate Change (depending on each country), as well local partner organizations, private sector, financial institutions and academia.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Coordinator, the Climate Finance Specialist will report directly to the SLC Policy Officer for Environment and Climate Change, who is based in Barbados. FAO country representatives will provide support in leasing with local stakeholders and country authorities, as well as general oversight in each target country.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the SLC Policy Officer for Environment and Climate Change, the Climate Finance Specialist will perform the following key functions:

• Provide advice on accessing climate finance to FAO staff, national counterparts and partners at all levels, in particular to project formulators including facilitating preparation of project concept notes, project documents and national programs
• Conceptualize, and prepare training and information materials as well as conceptualizing and implementing capacity development programs related to climate finance methodologies, instruments and programmes for both FAO staff and national stakeholders.
• Identify national challenges and prepare baseline reports and possible FAO areas of intervention that can feed the national discussions in developing concept notes and full project proposals, as well as readiness proposals (including NAP).
• Review of GCF and other relevant multilateral and bilateral climate funds project documentation against quality standards and consistency with national priorities (NDC, NAPS, others), donors and FAO requirements;
• Meet relevant stakeholders in countries of the Caribbean, particularly National Designated Authorities (NDAs), responsible representatives from relevant ministries, private sector including financial institutions, civil society, and academia on GCF, GEF or AF related roles; ensure that government and other national stakeholders understand priority areas of intervention and the mechanisms and modalities for GCF funding under its different components.
• Provide technical and operational support to the FAO Representatives in the region with regards to the processes to access and implement GCF Readiness proposals, which includes;
• Maintain the SLC-GCF portfolio and ensuring regular updates to the monitoring tool for SLC-GCF portfolio (Readiness)
• Support the implementation of GCF Readiness/Funding Proposals, following up to the legal agreements and disbursement process for approved readiness/full proposals through coordination with relevant divisions of the FAO, Government counterparts (as requested) and the GCF Secretariat including the preparation of Readiness support progress/completion report and all related documents for GCF Secretariat review;
• Support the development of new readiness proposals, and strategic support for the design of single country/regional or multi-country concept notes and full project proposals to ensure appropriate quality control, completeness and timelines of proposals.
• Act as a liaison officer between SLC and Regional Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, HQ’s Climate and Environment Division (OCB), Centre for investment (CFI) with regard to coordination, collaboration and communication on GCF issues and maintain the SLC-GCF portfolio to ensure appropriate quality control, completeness and timelines of proposals
• Provide technical inputs in the development and review of concept notes, project preparation grant applications and, readiness and full funding proposals to ensure FAO and donor’s quality standards are met.

• Participate in country missions or online meetings for project formulation – from project idea to final appraisal and liaise with relevant FAO and other organizations in developing concept notes, Project Preparation Facility applications and project proposals, and developing capacity building materials in the framework of the GCF.

• Support the implementation and development of the pipeline of GEF and AF projects, including GEF-8 concept notes and PIFs.

• Support the activities under Regional Initiative 3, providing support for the review and implementation of different Country and Regional Results as required.

• Perform any other related duties and activities as required by the Sub-Regional Coordinator and Policy Officer Delivery Manager.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree or higher in environmental or agricultural sciences, natural resource management, economics or a related appropriate field
• Minimum 5 years working experience in the field of climate change, finance, agriculture or a related appropriate field, preferably in an international environment
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

• Experience working in climate finance and national capacity building.
• Relevant experience in the review, design, formulation, implementation and evaluation of climate change projects and programmes
• Experience in formulation and/or review/appraisal of project proposals would be a strong advantage.
• Experience in organizing and conducting international and regional meetings and working in a participatory manner.
• Experience with the writing of capacity building materials/promotional materials
• Experience working with government institutions in agriculture, environment, water or energy sectors in the Latin America and Caribbean regions, Caribbean preferred.
• Ability and self-initiative to carry out assigned tasks within deadlines in a team as well as under minimal supervision.
• Good organizational skills
• Advanced computer skills, especially in MS Word processing

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