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 these issues 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 Facility (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 and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2). The position is located in the Climate Change team of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Reporting Lines The Senior Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Director, OCB. Technical Focus Climate action and climate change mainstreaming across and within agricultural sectors (crop and livestock agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and forestry). Key Results Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Departmental / Division Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework. Key Functions Plans, manages, or leads highly-specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-departmental committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies. Analyses global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies. Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence-based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks. Conducts, designs and oversees research and analytical activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services. Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes. Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools. Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders. Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions Coordinates the implementation of the FAO Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and coordinates the development and operationalization of climate-related frameworks, methodologies, and approaches for agrifood systems. Coordinates planning, monitoring, and reporting of climate action under OCB's biannual workplan, and the Programme Priority Area on Climate Change, ensuring alignment with and coherent contributions to corporate strategies, strategic frameworks and global agendas, in close collaboration with technical units and regional and country offices. Strengthens FAO's institutional capacity on climate change through knowledge management, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration, and technical support to headquarters, regional, and country offices. Coordinates and supports FAO's coherent institutional engagement in the international climate change agenda, including UNFCCC COPs, intersessional meetings, and other relevant global processes. Translates global climate policy frameworks and processes, including those under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, into operational guidance, tools, and methodologies to support country-level implementation in agrifood systems. Represents FAO in international climate fora and negotiations, providing substantive technical inputs and contributing to the Organization's strategic positioning. Leads and oversees the preparation of technical and policy documents, analytical frameworks, technical guidelines, and flagship knowledge products on climate change and agrifood systems, including inputs for FAO Technical Committees, Governing Bodies, and Members. Strengthens FAO's global partnerships and cooperation on climate action, including through high-level dialogues, ministerial engagements, technical workshops, and policy fora at regional and international levels. Ensures the technical quality and coherence of climate-related programmes and supports Members in integrating climate change into national policies and plans (e.g. National Adaptation Plans, and Nationally Determined Contributions), in line with FAO priorities and country contexts. Supports the design and implementation of climate-related initiatives, including project formulation, resource mobilization, development of guidelines and best practices, and delivery of capacity development activities and contributes to the design and positioning of large-scale, multidisciplinary programme and project portfolios aligned with donor and investment frameworks.
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Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resources management, environment, climate change, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or related field. Ten years of relevant experience in international organizations, public or private sector institutions on climate action and natural resources management. Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies Results Focus Leading, Engaging and Empowering Communication Partnering and Advocating Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential. Proven ability to produce high-quality climate change technical/policy outputs, including guidance notes, tools and/or manuals. Strong knowledge of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including practical understanding of how they align with UNFCCC and Paris Agreement processes. Demonstrated capacity to integrate climate action across agrifood systems (agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry and/or food systems) and link these to environment and natural resources priorities. Demonstrated success in resource mobilization, including development of large-scale project proposals and engagement with international funding partners. Strong leadership experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, cross-sector analytical work and programmes (including budget and human resources management). Demonstrated results-based management capacity to formulate, implement and oversee multi-partner and multi-country programmes/projects. Proven ability to design, organize and manage consultative multi-stakeholder processes and intergovernmental/technical meetings, including high-level international processes and technical consultations. Working knowledge of a second language, preferably French or Spanish, is desirable.
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