Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region, in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework, 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. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. REU supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
Based on the priority areas agreed by the Regional Conference for Europe, REU and the other FAO offices in the region are implementing their programmes under the programmatic umbrella of Regional Initiative 3. The Regional Initiatives are supported by a multidisciplinary team of technical experts assigned to achieve the desired results and to support the Country Offices in facilitating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in close collaboration with technical experts at FAO headquarters.
The Regional Initiative 3 (RI3): Managing natural resources sustainably and preserving biodiversity in a changing climate. This Initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) and other FAO divisions, assisting Members in policy development and planning in response to the challenges of natural resources management under a changing climate.
This position is located in REU in Budapest, Hungary.
Reporting Lines
The Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change and Sustainability) reports to the REU Regional Programme Leader and also to FAO headquarters in Rome for technical functional guidance on matters relating to policy and governance support in the areas of natural resources, climate change and environmental sustainability to ensure an effective and efficient delivery of regional priorities in response to country demands.
Technical Focus
Technical and policy expertise on sustainable natural resources management, including climate change adaptation/mitigation, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), climate impacts and vulnerability assessment, climate finance, and other relevant climate and environmental investment criteria.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with Regional objectives and FAO Programme Priority Areas (PPAs).
Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise to technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services;
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise;
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates with, and provides technical backstopping to, Members with a view to ensuring the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools;
• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue, and provides technical expertise at international and intergovernmental meetings;
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
Specific Functions
• Provides technical support to Members on natural resources management, climate change and environmental sustainability in support of the implementation of FAO’s Programme in building climate resilient agri-food systems within existing frameworks;
• Provides policy advice and guidance on natural resources management, climate change and environmental sustainability to Regional, Subregional and Country Offices;
• Identifies and formulates programmes and projects in the field of natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation and environmental sustainability;
• Provides technical support to Members in accessing, managing and monitoring their portfolio related to the main climate finance sources, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund (AF) and other multilateral funds;
• Provides technical advice to Members to plan, implement and monitor their Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs); engages with REU and SEC (Subregional Office for Central Asia, Ankara, Turkey) technical officers in identifying the needs and providing climate services for relevant project development;
• Conceptualizes and prepares training and information materials, and implements capacity development programmes related to natural resources, climate change management and environmental sustainability in the framework of FAO Programme Priority Areas;
• Strengthens REU climate information, database and related tools to provide related climate services to Members and FAO Country Offices;
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with relevant institutions, including UN agencies and private sector.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in environmental or agricultural sciences, natural resources management, or economics, with focus on natural resources management, climate change and related fields;
• Seven years of relevant experience in natural resources management, climate change and national capacity building, with a focus on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of climate change projects and programmes;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
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 or knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: natural resources management, climate change, climate finance, climate negotiations, environmental sustainability, water management, forestry management, land management and/or rural development;
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading and preparing flagship publications, quality of analytical writing and oral communication skills, including publication record;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies, development partners, expert groups and other stakeholders on policies, programmes and projects;
• Demonstrated track record of successfully mobilizing resources and investments, including from non-traditional donors;
• Working experience in the European and Central Asia region;
• Working knowledge of Russian is an asset. _________________________________________________________________
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
_________________________________________________________________GENERAL INFORMATION
- Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
- FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________HOW TO APPLY
- To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
- Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
- Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
- Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
- Incomplete applications will not be considered;
- Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
- We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]
