National Policy Consultant

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 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 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) Sub Regional Office for the Pacific (SAP) covers 14 member countries. These countries are Cook Islands, Micronesia (the Federated States), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau (territory of New Zealand), Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies with the member countries for addressing sub regional agriculture, food, nutrition and rural development priorities. The Sub Regional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.

In 2021, the Samoa Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) requested FAO SAP to support with the development of a Samoa Agriculture Sector Climate Change Policy, which will include crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. MAF has highlighted the need for the Agriculture Sectors (crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture) to have in place guidance on the course of actions that consider the long-term impact of climate change on the sectors. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sector’s Climate Change Policy will provide the policy guidance and will align with the Agriculture Sector Plan (currently under review) and the Samoa National Climate Change Policy.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and the direct supervision of the Policy Officer/Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the Natural Resource – Climate Change Officer. The specialist will work closely with the LTO, Natural Resource Officer, and the International Consultant for the Samoa Agriculture and Climate Change Policy.

Technical Focus

To support the consultation and research process for the development of the Samoa Agriculture and Climate Change Policy.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Organize logistics (invites, venue, catering etc.) for the project inception workshop to introduce the project and discuss the project activities, assist the International Consultant to confirm project work-plan/timeline for implementation of activities, and present a consultation plan and support development of meeting papers and draft meeting report;
• Support the desk review process led by the International Consultant for the Samoa Agriculture and Climate Change Policy by carrying out research on key documents needed;
• Organize the relevant logistics (invites, venue, catering etc.) for the national consultation and finalize consultation plan with the International Consultant and FAO, and assist the International Consultant to develop questions for the national consultation, prepare a PPT, agenda and other relevant documents required for the national stakeholder consultations and draft consultation report;
• Support the Lead Consultant in the collection of information from the stakeholders and/or hold individual consultations with stakeholders as required by the International Consultant and provide the necessary reports for these individual consultations;
• Assist International Consultant with collation and compilation of additional information required for the development of the Samoa Agriculture Sector Climate Change Policy;
• Lead and facilitate together with key government counterpart the logistics for the validation workshop and participate in the validation workshop and prepare workshop report;
• Assist in finalizing of the Samoa Agriculture Sector Climate Change Policy;
• Perform any other duties as required by LTO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University diploma or degree in International Development Studies, Food Security, Agriculture, Fisheries, Climate Change, Gender Studies, Policy, Economics, Political Sciences, or other relevant field.
• 3 years of relevant experience in the international development sector and/or policy development;
• Working knowledge of one FAO language in which the incumbent will work
• National or resident of Samoa

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to prepare concise reports according to United Nations standards and donor requirements.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English.
• Experience working in the Pacific Small Islands Developing States and knowledgeable of their priorities.
• Knowledge of Samoan cultural protocols and local language is highly desirable;

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