Senior Natural Resources Officer

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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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. OCB assists FAO Members in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as in the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Office also serves as the focal point for a multi-disciplinary and global approach to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and topics on bioenergy as well as on Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems, ecosystem restoration and green and climate resilient agriculture.
The post is located in the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Natural Resources Officer reports to the Deputy Director, OCB.

Technical Focus
Clean energy solutions for agrifood systems and sustainable bioenergy, both in development and humanitarian settings. This includes country support, building partnerships, stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization.

Key Results
Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services to technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Analyses global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database as well as monitoring and reporting frameworks.
• Conducts, designs and oversees research and analytical activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services.
• Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes.
• Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools;
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Supports the overall coordination, management, planning, and implementation and reporting of OCB's 'Energy-Smart Food' Programme activities on the 'day-to- day' matters.
• Coordinates FAO’s engagement in and contribution to the international sustainable energy agenda, including for relevant international events, and UN-Energy.
• Supports the organization of FAO's Climate Change Coordination meetings with respect to energy aspects, including preparation of supporting material and communications.
• Contributes to the implementation of the Climate Change Strategy and reporting on progress as regards energy aspects, including across FAO's policies, programmes and activities, in close collaboration with relevant technical units and Country/Regional Offices.
• Supports the implementation of the Action Plan of the new Strategy on Climate Change in relation to energy aspects;
• Improves FAO's institutional capacity to address energy issues, including in relation to National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) by facilitating knowledge management, contributions to the publications and cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration on the topic; provides technical support to relevant offices.
• Designs and implements activities and proposals related to energy for agrifood systems and bioenergy, including for resource mobilization and the development of projects, guidelines, best practices and training materials.
• Monitors policy, legal and technical developments at national, regional and international levels that are relevant to FAO's work on energy.
• Leads networking, collaboration with international partners and multi-stakeholders, including with the private sector, to identify new opportunities for collaboration on energy matters.
• Participates in other FAO activities and performs additional relevant tasks as needed.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in natural resources, environment, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy or related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in natural resources management with international organizations, public or private sector institutions on energy and natural resources management.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent of knowledge of developments in clean energy access and transition, in particular related to agrifood systems and sustainable bioenergy.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation of technical and policy reports, guidelines and manuals.
• Extent of knowledge and relevant experience in technical and policy matters related to sustainable energy, in particular regarding clean energy solutions for agrifood systems and sustainable bioenergy, and experience in planning and implementation of related programmes, at different levels.
• Demonstrated skills and experiences in leading multi-disciplinary teams and networks related to practices, policies, standards, systems and indicators.
• Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to formulate and manage programmes, projects, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, organize and monitor consultative multi-stakeholder processes and/or inter-governmental and/or technical meetings.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of a second language (preferably French or Spanish) is desirable.