Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Bangladesh has been working since 1973 to transform the country’s food and agricultural sectors. the FAO Representation (FAOBD) manages several corporate initiatives, national, regional and global projects and programmes under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), Trust Fund (TF) and Regular Programme (RP) budgets. These projects and programmes respond to priority needs identified by the Government and stakeholders and focus on strengthening capacities, introducing innovative technologies, and enhancing policy frameworks to drive sustainable transformation of agrifood systems.
FAO is supporting the Government of Bangladesh, through the collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and it is under the implementation of a Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) financed project focused on the integrated management of Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs). The project objective is to promote a more integrated and complementary approach to sustainable use of biodiversity, and management of landscapes for effective community engaged ecosystem-based conservation, sustainable biodiversity use, and restoration in the Jaflong-Dawki, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula, and Sonadia ECAs. Acting as the GEF Agency, FAO provides technical assistance to advance ecosystem-based conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate-resilient landscape management in the three ECAs. The project adopts a multi-sectoral and community-driven approach, strengthening institutional and policy frameworks, scaling up nature-based solutions, and promoting inclusive, gender-responsive livelihood options to reduce pressure on natural resources and enhance ecological and socio-economic resilience while delivering global environmental benefits.
Reporting Lines
The National Senior Climate Change Expert is SC-12 level position. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in close collaboration with PPG Team Leader, National PPG Coordinator and PPG team.
Technical Focus
The position leads the integration of climate resilience into ECA management by guiding climate risk assessments and translating findings into practical ecosystem-based and nature-based solutions. The Expert will be fully engaged into project design, implementation, monitoring and policy engagement. It supports climate-resilient restoration, policy coherence with national frameworks, and clear documentation of adaptation and mitigation benefits in line with GEF and FAO standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical support and analytical inputs, under the guidance of PPG Team Leader, National PPG Coordinator and PPG team to ensure climate change considerations are fully mainstreamed into project design, implementation, monitoring and policy engagement.
• Support the preparation and technical analysis of climate vulnerability and risk assessments for three ECAs, with focus on: Sea-level rise, storm surges and salinity intrusion (Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf & Sonadia), Flash floods, landslides, stone quarrying, sand extraction and ecosystem degradation (Jaflong-Dawki), under the supervision of the project technical team
• Integrate climate risks into ecosystem-based management (EbM) and nature-based solutions (NbS) interventions.
• Ensure alignment of project interventions with Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), NAP, NDC, and Delta Plan 2100.
• Provide technical inputs for climate-resilient restoration and conservation measures, including- Mangrove, wetland and coastal dune restoration, Climate-resilient agro ecological and fisheries practices
• Guide integration of adaptation and mitigation co-benefits, including terrestrial carbon sequestration.
• Support estimation and documentation of GHG mitigation and adaptation co-benefits of project interventions in line with GEF and FAO climate tracking methodologies.
• Ensure consistency with IPCC guidelines, FAO NEXT tools where applicable.
• Contribute to climate-related indicators in the results framework and M&E system.
• Contribute technical background notes, analysis and briefing materials to support FAO’s policy dialogue with relevant counterparts on Climate-resilient ECA governance and integration of NbS into national and sub-national planning
• Support institutional capacities strengthening activities by providing technical inputs, analytical support and documentation, under FAO supervision for DoE, MoEFCC, local government institutions, VCGs and co-management committees
• Support internal technical preparations, documentations, and reporting related to climate finance and donor platforms (GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund), as requested by the project technical team.
• Support the development of climate knowledge products, guidelines and policy briefs.
• Contribute technical documentation and case studies to support FAO facilitated South-South knowledge exchange and documentation of best practices.
• Support technical collaboration activities, including data review, data compilation and production of inputs from national research institutions, universities and climate experts.
• Perform other functions as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Climate Change, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Forestry, Agriculture, or related fields.
• Minimum 15 (fifteen) years of progressively responsible experience in Climate change adaptation and mitigation, Nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based management
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
• National of Bangladesh or resident of the country with valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong knowledge of climate risk and vulnerability assessment methodologies, EbA, NbS and Eco-DRR approaches, GHG accounting tools (e.g., NEXT, IPCC frameworks).
• Familiarity with national/international climate, environment and biodiversity policies (CBD, KMGBF, NBSAP, NDC, NAP, BCCSAP), FAO-GEF project cycle including TOC, core indicators and GEBs, safeguards and reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical writing and stakeholder facilitation skills
• Strong knowledge of communication and documentation standards to ensure project documentation and liaison with stakeholders, government agencies, and project team(s).
• Demonstrated experience working with FAO, UN agencies, GEF, World Bank, ADB or similar climate and biodiversity projects on coastal, ECAs and fragile ecosystems
• Proven experience in climate change related to biodiversity in Bangladesh or South Asia is highly desirable.
• Willingness and ability to travel anywhere within Bangladesh.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills to address challenges efficiently.