Programme Officer (Biodiversity Mainstreaming)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• 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.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) work 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 Secretariats of the International 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 Biodiversity team coordinates the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors and its 2024-27 Action Plan, FAO’s participation in CBD processes (including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) and implements related projects. As part of this work, it leads and coordinates the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative (Initiative), which aims to support countries and accelerate the integration of biodiversity into agrifood systems through the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). It also leads and coordinates the project "Mainstreaming biodiversity into agrifood systems to implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans" supported by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, which includes global activities and national implementation. The global component of the project will contribute to enhance policy alignment and coherence, building institutional capacity, improving financial incentives to promote biodiversity-friendly practices, and fostering knowledge sharing.

The Programme Officer will assist in the delivery of FAO’s work on Biodiversity Mainstreaming at global, regional and national levels and will ensure the overall coordination of the “Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative” and “Mainstreaming biodiversity into agrifood systems to implement NBSAPs” projects.

The position is located in the Biodiversity team of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer, OCBD

Technical Focus

· Support planning, development and implementation of projects on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors, and effective quality control and timely management of project activities.

· Support comprehensive technical, analytical and/or policy analysis and development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of assigned programmes and projects.

· Support strategic policy and analytical support to biodiversity-related matters.

Key Results

Development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects.

Key Functions

· Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation, ensuring prioritization, coordination with stakeholders and timely follow‑up.

· Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.

· Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.

· Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.

· Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities, including background papers, analytical pieces, and substantial sections of reports and publications.

· Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

· Perform any other duties, as required.

Specific Functions

· Liaises with relevant FAO Divisions/Offices/Centers (DOCs) to facilitate projects implementation to ensure synergies with relevant FAO thematic strategies and activities.

· Monitors and analyses policy, legal and technical developments of other international fora/instruments in the spheres of biodiversity, climate change, agricultural sectors and environment, for their relevance in mainstreaming biodiversity across agriculture sectors.

· Participates in various government and private and/or civil society biodiversity fora.

· Supports resource mobilization activities.

· Coordinates and supervises the technical and operational implementation of the “Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative” and “Mainstreaming biodiversity into agrifood systems to implement NBSAPs” projects (the ‘biodiversity projects’), provides strategic directions, oversees and monitors operations and the implementation of the work plan and budget.

· Monitors and reports on progress and achievement of results in the implementation of the biodiversity projects, develops programmatic and financial documentation, ensures timely provision of FAO inputs, supervises and monitors budget, prepares and submits financial reports and budget revisions and participates in the evaluation of the projects.

· Supports the selection of service providers and implementing partners, drafts agreements/contracts and supports the preparation and completion of workshops and capacity-building events in consultation with government stakeholders and consultants.

· Provides guidance, technical backstopping and methodological support to national project Officers and consultants, including for the review and analysis of policies and for the organization of multi-stakeholder consultations in focus countries.

· Coordinates and implements the global activities and deliverables planned in the biodiversity projects.

· Contributes to raising awareness and visibility of the biodiversity projects and ensure stakeholders' and beneficiaries' engagement.

· Contributes to the development of knowledge sharing tools, project-related technical briefs, case studies and best practices.

· Provides technical inputs to set up and maintain a webpage to share information and products related to the projects.

· Develops project proposals on biodiversity mainstreaming and contributes to resource mobilization efforts to scale up the biodiversity projects.

· Provides advice to OCBB management on biodiversity-related matters and supports OCBB in events and meetings to support and promote FAO’s work on biodiversity.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resources management or related biological sciences, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in project or programme management of international cooperation projects related to biodiversity and/or natural resources.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English 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 programme/project formulation, preferably in the field of biodiversity; analysis, planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of results-based management methodologies and tools, and experience in their application.
• Previous experience in the United Nations and/or knowledge of FAO policies and systems is considered a strong asset.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
• Extent of knowledge and understanding of technical and policy matters related to biodiversity mainstreaming into agriculture sectors;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with resource partners and mobilize financial resources;
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French and/or Spanish is considered a strong asset.

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

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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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;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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

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