Job Posting: 18/Apr/2025
Closure Date: 09/May/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: OCB
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional
Grade Level: P-3
Primary Location: Italy-Rome
Duration: Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2006279
CCOG Code: 1R
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
• 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.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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 Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment, and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing (such as the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards.
FAO has established a GCF Team within OCB (OCB-GCF Team) to coordinate the development and management of the GCF related portfolio. The OCB-GCF Team works in close collaboration with FAO Decentralized Offices and technical staff to identify, develop and deliver high-quality climate investment and readiness projects that respond to countries’ priorities as defined in their national climate and sectoral policies and that deliver the transformational change sought by the GCF.
The position of Natural Resources Officer is located in the OCB-GCF Team within OCB at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Natural Resources Officer reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer of the GCF Unit.
Technical Focus
The Natural Resources Officer will work for the development and management of the Green Climate Fund and the Fund for Responding to Loss & Damage (FRLD) projects including knowledge management and enhancing partnerships in climate financing aligned to FAO’s mandate.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the formulation and delivery of programmes, projects, products, and services.
Key Functions
- Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
- Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
- Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
- Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
- Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other Divisions, Offices and Centres 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 Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
- Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
- Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
- Supports the development of and provides quality enhancement for GCF readiness, project ideas, concept notes and funding proposals, working closely with other relevant FAO staff involved.
- Provides quality assurance on all GCF related documents before onforwarding to GCF Secretariat.
- Supports funding liaison functions during formulation and implementation of funding proposals and readiness grants.
- Contributes to the drafting or updating of GCF related guidance and training materials for FAO internal use and for countries and partners.
- Participates in delivering GCF related training at headquarters and in the regions.
- Supports FAO’s engagement with and accreditation to FRLD.
- Supports guidance to Decentralized Offices for accessing to FRLD.
- Supports the development of and provides quality enhancement to new FRLD proposals including project ideas, concept notes and project documents.
- Supports coordination with other partners such as UN Rome Based Agencies, donors and/or vertical funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), FRLD and the Adaptation Fund.
- Participates in missions to support project formulation and implementation when needed.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in natural resources, climate change, social or economic sciences, agriculture or a related field.
- Five years of relevant experience in natural resources management, including on climate change adaptation and mitigation and climate financing instruments.
- Working knowledge of English (proficiency – level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- 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.
- Extent and relevance of experience in accessing the Green Climate Fund and/or other vertical climate related funds.
- Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable natural resources management and more specifically in climate change adaptation or mitigation related to agrifood systems.
- Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of investment projects in the areas of FAO’s mandate and with a focus on the nexus between climate change and food security.
- Extend of experience in the use of financial mechanisms and tools for climate action.
- Ability to coordinate complex and cross-sectoral initiatives and teams.
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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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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.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
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.
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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
• 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
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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