Senior Climate Change Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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

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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Bangladesh is increasingly facing climate stress as evident in the state of its ecological systems, and the socio-economic status of poor communities. While the country has reduced poverty from 44.2% in 1991 to 13.8% in 2016/17, about 22 million people still live below the poverty line. According to World Bank (2016), nearly half of all Bangladesh’s workforce and two-thirds in rural areas are directly employed in agriculture, a sector that is heavily reliant on natural resources and ecosystem services. Increased water logging, salinity intrusion, decreased water availability, drought, and climate variabilities are likely to contribute to further deterioration in socio-economic conditions of rural and marginal communities who have limited adaptive capacities to cope with present and future climate risks and hazards. Inadequate financing, lack of access to markets and early warning/climate information systems, limited technological advancement, and lack of stakeholder engagement, cross-sectoral coordination and human capacity at the national level also hinder the development of robust adaptation and resilient livelihoods. Within this context the Building Climate Resilient Livelihoods in Vulnerable Landscapes in Bangladesh (BCRL) project has been initiated to reduce vulnerability of three climate-impacted landscapes of Bangladesh i.e., the High Barind Tract (HBT), Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), saline and waterlogging-prone areas. The overarching goal of this project is to improve local livelihoods and socio-economic condition in aforesaid climate vulnerable landscapes—through increasing resilience—by scaling-up climate resilient adaptation options, technology transfer, capacity building at local and national level, establishing market linkage and value chains, developing innovative financial instruments, and crop specific early warning system. This GEF-funded project is implemented jointly by the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Department of Agriculture Extension, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), under the supervision and coordination of the FAO as the leading agency of the project.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Bangladesh.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative, the Senior Climate Change Specialist (SC 9) will work under the direct supervision of the Environment Forest and Climate Change Cluster Team Leader, and in close collaboration with national and international consultants in the project team as well as the programme unit Team,

Technical Focus

The role involves supporting the preparation and implementation of climate-related projects, such as the CBIT and Climate Change Readiness project. Key responsibilities include providing technical and policy advice on climate-resilient livelihoods and agriculture adaptation, developing project proposals in collaboration with government and partners, and fostering collaboration with various stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities in food security and economic development. The position also requires communication and presentation preparation for national stakeholders, as well as assisting with other tasks as directed by the Environment & Climate Change Specialist and FAOR.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will have following duties and responsibilities:

Implementation of BCRL Project:

• Coordinate the overall implementation of BCRL project in close coordination with the Project Director and Deputy Project Director of PMU BCRL from the Department of Environment (DoE) and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE);
• Coordinate and lead the development of overall workplan and budget plan of BCRL project as well as assist and monitor the development of workplan and budget plan of project components implemented by DoE and DAE for the whole project duration and annually.
• Coordinate and providing guidance to international and national consultants that will be commissioned to conduct specific activities/assignments under the BCRL project, including assessments/analysis, workshop, training, and mid-term and final project review.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of institutional arrangement for project execution and stakeholder’s engagement plan -prepared according to the agreed work plan- in collaboration with DoE and DAE
• Coordinate and support the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework, logic framework, theory of change, risk analysis, identification of indicators and assumptions, targets and M&E plans of the projects and tracking the project results;
• Coordinate and support the organization of consultations/meetings, inception and validation workshops and follow-up consultations to validate project results and deliverables in coordination with DoE and DAE;
• Coordinate the timely provision of quality deliverables of the project consisting of deliverables from each of the 3 involved project partners (FAO, DoE, DAE) and specific join deliverables;
• In close collaboration with DoE and DAE prepare periodical (semester, annual) and other project reports as stipulated in the FAO-GEF project document/agreement;
• In close collaboration with the FAO operations unit and international GEF expert, ensure regular budget monitoring, delivery of the assigned project’s preparation activities, sharing of relevant periodical reports, brief and presentation and assist in maintaining compliance and overall financial regulation in implementing the project;
• Communicate with and prepare presentations for national stakeholders on issues related to BCRL project; and
• Representing FAO at BCRL PIC meeting and PSC meeting as requested by the EFCC Team Leader.

Technical support to Environment, Forest, and Climate Change cluster of FAO Bangladesh:

• Collect and analyze relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics and provides technical input in various documents related to climate resilient livelihoods and climate smart agriculture;
• Support the preparation and implementation of incoming climate-related projects, such as -potentially- CBIT and Climate Change Readiness project;
• Provide technical and policy advice to FAO on activities related to climate resilient livelihoods and agriculture adaptation interventions at sub-national and national levels;
• Collaborate in the development of training tools and materials and the delevery of workshops/seminars.
• Engage with in country development partners, research institutes and universities and relevant private sector actors to explore the potential of building new partnerships or enhancing collaborative effectiveness related to climate resilient livelihoods and agricultural adaptation in the context of food security and overall economic development.
• Draft and/or provide input to materials related to resource mobilization efforts i.e. concept notes, project proposals, donor briefs, etc. related to climate resilient livelihoods and agriculture adaptation in coordination with technical units, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and FAO’s standards;
• Contribute to networking and collaboration with different international and national programmes, stakeholders and partners
• Communicate with and prepare presentations for national stakeholders on issues related to climate resilient livelihoods and agriculture adaptation; and
• Perform any other tasks as may be required by the Team Leader, Environment & Climate Change Cluster and FAO Bangladesh management.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Economics, Agriculture, Forestry, or a closely related field;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in climate smart agriculture/livelihoods, environment and natural resource management in developing countries including a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in managing project and coordinating multi-stakeholder activities.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Bangla.
• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent knowledge of climate change negotiations, REDD+, MRV procedures and methodologies under the UNFCCC, and IPCC processes;
• Demonstrate knowledge on Climate Resilient Livelihoods and Agriculture Adaptation;
• Proven track record of supporting, advising and collaborating with government institutions in Bangladesh;
• Familiarity of working with the UN or development sector actors an advantage;
• Demonstrated experiences in developing countries; and
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines.

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 accepted
• 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/
• 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.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

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/. 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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