Back Natural Resources Officer

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.