Project Officer (Colombia REDD Project)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

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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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

The main objective of FAO country offices, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition.

This position is part of the project approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) "Colombia REDD-plus Payment for Results period 2015-2016" that FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente) and The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), will implement to support the implementation of the National REDD Strategy, contained in the Integrated National Strategy for Deforestation Control and Forest Management (EICDGB acronym in Spanish), and the project complements the actions of the REM Vision Amazon Program.

Reporting Lines
The Project Officer (Colombia REDD Project) reports to the FAO Representative in Colombia, under the overall guidance of the Project’s Lead Technical Officer and will work in close collaboration with the climate change director of the Minambiente (REDD focal point before the UNFCCC), the director of Forests, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Minambiente, and the subdirectors of Ecosystems and Environmental Studies of IDEAM).

Technical Focus
Supports and monitors all aspects of the implementation of the Result Based Project REDD in Colombia financed by the GCF, including its links with and contributions to related national policy processes.

Key Results
Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions
• Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, the implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists to the review of relevant documents and reports;
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages;
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;
• Oversees the updating of databases and web pages;
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, online tools;
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Provides guidance and technical advice for an effective implementation and monitoring of the GCF project within the framework of the National REDD Strategy, contained in the Integrated National Strategy for Deforestation Control and Forest Management (EICDGB acronym in Spanish), and investments, ensuring full integration with national climate actions and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and technical contributions to relevant policy processes;
• Supports the Technical Secretariat, the Executive Committee and the Steering Committee in relevant actions for the implementation of the Project;
• Liaises with the technical focal points designated by the respective institutions for the implementation of the Project;
• Collaborates with other United Nations (UN) Agencies, Ministries and other actors and initiatives at national and regional level in relation to FAO project implementation and development, and participates in coordination bodies, including periodic reports and coordination with climate change director of the Minambiente (REDD focal point before the UNFCCC), the director of Forests, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Minambiente, and the subdirectors of Ecosystems and Environmental Studies of IDEAM);
• Liaises with FAO technical units in both the Regional Office and headquarters, as required, for the implementation of the programme including the timely identification and deployment of expertise, coordinates technical inputs of national and international consultants on different outputs, ensuring overall technical and policy coherence;
• Prepares project's acquisition and purchase plans; and carries out the respective follow-up, ensuring the updating of inventories and the registration of all the goods acquired and/or delivered by the project;
• Supports the strategic fit of FAO Country Programme in the corporate FAO country plans, including the Country Programming Framework (CPF), FAO’s strategic Programme and Regional Initiatives, and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework of the United Nations Country Team;
• Coordinates the members of the GCF working group in close collaboration with the climate change director of the Minambiente (REDD focal point before the UNFCC), the director of Forests, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Minambiente, and the subdirectors of Ecosystems and Environmental Studies of IDEAM);
• Facilitates regular communication on project-related issues with all members of the GCF team, both national and regional level.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or a related field;
• Five years of relevant experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Working knowledge (level C) of Spanish and English.
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Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
• Extent and relevance of experience in programmes and projects, planning, implementation and monitoring at the field and local levels, with demonstrated capacity to influence higher scale policy and institutional processes based on programme advances;
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams;
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on REDD or climate change;
• Knowledge of the project cycle and administrative, operational and financial procedures related to operations and project management (GCF, GEF - Global Environment Facility, among others);
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools;
• Understanding of UN or FAO policies and programmes is considered an asset.