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Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change)

Cairo

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Cairo
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Climate Change
    • Natural Resource Management
  • Closing Date: 2024-09-17

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.

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• 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.

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 Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.
RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines
The Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Senior Programme Officer (Forestry)/Team Leader of Greening Agriculture.

Technical Focus
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of climate change programmes, projects, products and services, in accordance with regional priorities and objectives, the FAO Strategic Framework and related Programme Priority Areas (PPAs), and in line with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change and other environmental strategies and linked action plans and PPAs.

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 the FAO Strategic Framework.

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 on 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 in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Countries 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, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions
• Leads and supports development of regional programme portfolio and effective mainstreaming of climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures across policies, programmes and projects at the regional level (including those financed through climate and environment vertical funds).
• Utilizes and enhances technical knowledge, data and information relating to environmental impacts on agrifood systems and develops and refines models, tools, methodologies and products that address environmental risks applicable to value chains and across agricultural sectors.
• Provides robust technical and policy support on a range of issues, including climate change adaptation, early warning, resilience, disaster risk reduction, Loss and Damage, drought monitoring, agrometeorological services and climate security, etc. This task covers multiple hazards and integrates climate and disaster risk action across the Organization.
• Supports the evidence-based design of investments, projects and policy formulation relating to building climate-resilient agrifood systems and utilizing climate change, environmental and disaster risk assessments and management tools to guide decision-making processes.
• Supports countries in developing and implementing their international climate change commitments, such as Nationally Determined Contributions, National Action Plans, etc.
• Engages in relevant global and regional initiatives and programmes that focus on climate change, environmental risks, climate services and other relevant topics.
• Acts as the regional climate change focal point and coordinates climate change activities at regional level in line with the work led by FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB).
• Supports and contributes to efficient implementation of PPA Better Environment 1 (BE1) 'climate change mitigating and adapted agrifood systems' of the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Facilitates effective contribution to the implementation and reporting processes associated with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change and the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors and their respective Action Plans.
• Contributes to the coordination of FAO's engagement in and contribution to the global and regional fora, meetings and conferences, including those relating to the UN Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
• Leads or supports regional capacity development activities focused on climate change, environmental management and climate services, ensuring these initiatives enhance knowledge and operational capabilities across the Organization.
• Manages and nurtures external partnerships, such as the Arab States Regional Collaborative Platform.
• Represents the Organization at relevant internal and external meetings, conferences and other fora.
• Actively contributes to external and internal coordination and information sharing processes that aim for harmonization, guidance and standard setting among UN Agencies and other development institutions in the relevant field of work.
• Leads awareness-raising activities related to the relevant work in the region.
• Performs other related duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in natural resources, environment, agriculture, climate or related topics.
• Seven years of relevant experience in providing technical inputs and policy advice on climate change adaptation/mitigation in agriculture and conducting and formulating policies, strategies and development programmes and projects.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO languages (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, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in project management and programme operational experience, including leading technical teams to support donors, multilateral organizations, civil society organization and policy makers on climate and environmental data and information, climate services, as well as early warning systems in agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in producing climate data and risk information across Organization's work areas, including policies, projects and programmes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, policies (such as for National Adaptation Plans - NAPs) and projects (such as the Global Environment Facility - GEF and the Green Climate Fund - GCF) for sustainable agrifood systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing capacity development in climate change related risks.
• Familiarity with the UN system institutions and working experience in collaborating and networking with relevant international and government institutions.

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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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.