International Consultant - Climate Smart Agriculture

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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 member nations, and person 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa, (RAF), leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organisation in the region and, in collaboration with technical divisions and units at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. In its programme delivery, RAF contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), and SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) as well as to supporting achievement of the broader SDG agenda, which is crucial for attaining FAO’s overall vision. Africa is particularly affected by and vulnerable to climate change. This is mainly due to the important role of agriculture sectors in the livelihoods of its population and economies of countries in the region. . The impacts of climate change is therefore a key concern that requires developing and scaling up adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) measures as well as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and resilience building benefiting livelihoods, the environment and economies.

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help guide actions to transform and re-orient agricultural systems to effectively and sustainably support food security under the context of climate change and in line with countries’ commitments to the Paris Agreement as outlined in their NDCs. CSA aims, to achieve three main objectives: (i) sustainably increase agriculture productivity and income; (ii) adapting and building resilience to climate change; and (iii) reducing and/or removing greenhouse gases emissions, where possible.

In response to the commitments of Africa’s Head of State “to enhance resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate change and climate variability, the AU/NEPAD vision to have 25 million farm households adopting CSA practices by 2025 was endorsed. FAO is engaged to support the countries in achieving this target through capacity development and improved information and knowledge sharing on CSA. In this context, FAO regional office is developing a regional programme for scaling-up CSA. The preparation of regional policy briefs, country CSA profiles and the organisation of CSA training sessions are important steps towards sound CSA up-scaling.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change) and the Senior Forestry Officer, Team Leader for Climate Action and Sustainable Natural Resources Management, and the oversight of the Regional Programme Leader

Technical Focus

Technical expertise is required in the following areas: Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies and practices in Sub-saharan Africa (SSA) including natural resources management, sustainable bioenergy development, agro-climatology, water resources management, agroforestry/forestry, land use and ecosystems management in the context of climate change.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, technical backstopping and implementation of CSA related projects.
• Support the preparation of projects and technical reports
• Assist in the development and implementation of CSA regional programme and related annual workplan
• Assist in compiling relevant information and develop database on country needs and adapted CSA practices.
• Contribute in the preparation and dissemination of regional CSA briefs and country CSA profiles.
• Contribute to the mapping and stocktaking of CSA projects and initiatives as well as partners at country or regional level, identifying successes, good practices, opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for advancing CSA at different levels
• Assist Natural Resources Officer in coordinating and developing CSA training modules adapted to the needs and context of targeted countries.
• Conduct CSA trainings at country and regional levels for the benefit of targeted stakeholders and local communities.
• Perform other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree, PhD or equivalent in natural resources management, environmental or agricultural science with strong focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Africa, on natural resources management, including sustainable bioenergy development, agro-climatology, climate smart-agriculture, water resources management, climate change adaptation and/ or mitigation, forestry, agroecology and land use.
• Working knowledge of English and French.

FAO Core 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
• Proven ability to write technical and scientific articles
• Familiarity with statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative data related to climate change and CSA practices.
• Depth of familiarity with climate smart agriculture technologies and practices in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Familiarity with climate change related projects development and implementation

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency