Organizational Setting
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a highly vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change due to its geographical characteristics as an archipelago with low-lying coastal areas and has experienced significant environmental damage and economic losses from hurricanes and tropical storms, with sea levels rising and extreme weather events becoming more frequent. In response, the Bahamian government has developed several policies and legislative measures to address climate change, including the National Climate Adaptation Policy and amendments to the Forestry Act.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Government is making substantial efforts to access resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As part of these efforts, the Green Climate Fund has approved the implementation of the Readiness Project \"Preparation of a Strategic Framework to Reduce Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhance adaptive capacity in the Bahamas,\" which will be executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The project aims to build on these efforts by developing a robust strategic framework for reducing deforestation and forest degradation, enhancing the adaptive capacity of national institutions, and improving the management and monitoring of forest resources. This initiative is crucial for the Bahamas to access climate finance and implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The readiness activities will furnish essential baseline data, inform future decision-making on climate change priorities, and support the development of concept notes and proposals for the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, including activities related to REDD . The primary beneficiary of this project is The Forestry Unit, and other beneficiaries include the Ministry of The Environment and Natural Resources (NDA), the Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine resources & Family Island Affairs, and the Meteorology Department with the Department of Environment Protection and Planning (DEPP) as part of the Steering Committee.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representation in The Bahamas, and in coordination with Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the project, and in close collaboration and coordination with the Project Task Force and other relevant technical experts and the Forestry Unit of The Bahamas.
Technical Focus
The objective of this assignment is to support FAO in developing the strategic framework for reducing deforestation and forest degradation in the Bahamas and enhancing adaptive capacity. The incumbent will provide in-country support for the development of the REDD Strategy (Output 2.2.1) and of the concept note related to the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, including mangroves (Output 4.4.1). The incumbent will work closely with the FAO regional team in Latin America who will provide, through a dedicated Project Task Force (PTF), guidance on FAO and GCF specific requirements, and quality assurance of produced documents.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Conduct the necessary participatory engagements and collect information (as needed) to support the identification of key stakeholders for REDD and Land-use change related to the Forestry sector in the Bahamas to inform the participant selection for the workshops.
• Develop a stakeholder map for multistakeholder workshops, providing a solid foundation for the discussions. Stakeholder mapping must be gender sensitive.
• Support in the design, invitations, and facilitation of a multi stakeholder workshop to identify national priorities for REDD /land-use strategy planning in line with climate adaptation priorities, in coordination with FAO international consultants and project coordinator. This task includes drafting workshop materials as needed (e.g., invitation, agenda, list of participants) and leading workshop documentation. The event must ensure multi-stakeholder representation (e.g., of government, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, academia, and NGOs), be gender sensitive, and include sex disaggregated listing of participants.
• Draft workshop materials, participatory methodologies, systematized workshop report (including sex disaggregated listing of participants).
• Provide technical inputs (e.g., data, information, inputs from stakeholders) to support the first draft of the REDD Strategy.
• Build on national priorities for REDD , support in the collection of information & data and conduct the necessary participatory engagements (e.g., meetings, interviews), to define the national circumstances of REDD in The Bahamas, including the drivers of deforestation and degradation, the needs and barriers for REDD in the country, and the initiatives and efforts in the country that contribute to REDD /land-use objectives, whether public, private, or international.
• Provide technical inputs (e.g., data, information, inputs from stakeholders) to support the definition of priority/strategic measures and actions to address deforestation and degradation drivers, in line with national climate adaptation priorities and other relevant policies.
• Support in the validation and technical inputs to support the draft of the REDD Strategy.
• Support in the identification of key priorities and barriers to reach the gaps for inputs in Concept note to mobilize resources related to REDD and land use change for the forestry sector.
• Convene and participate in working meetings with the PTF and institutional focal point in preparation and for the results of the multiple stakeholders’ meetings.
• Support the project team elaborating the concept note in providing technical inputs based on The Bahamas national circumstances of the Forestry sector
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree/technical diploma/high school diploma in climate change, land use, forestry, natural resources, agriculture, biology, ecology sciences, economics or another relevant field
• Minimum of 3 (three) years of relevant work experience with forestry climate change, land use, natural resources, agriculture, biology, ecology, and rural development, preferably with experience in practical activities in the field and/or with communities
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of The Bahamas
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience with the delivery and facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops with participatory methodologies.
• Knowledge of the Forestry sector in The Bahamas.
• Familiarity with the REDD under the UNFCCC is an asset.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with excellent verbal and written communication.
• Very good sense of organization and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Proactive and self-motivated attitude.
Selection Criteria
• Advanced university degree in the above mentioned area would be an asset.
• Proficiency in Windows/Office.
• Applicants should be based in New Providence
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)Applications received after the closing date will not be acceptedPlease 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/ For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.