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 issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment 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 Fun -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 FAOโs work on environmental safeguards.
The specialist will work for the Environment Team which is located in OCB at FAO Headquarters.ย
Reporting Lines
The specialist will report to the Natural Resources Officer (Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction).ย
Technical Focusย
Provide technical support in climate services, particularly climate risk management with assessment of climate risks in agri-food systems in member states, together with FAO headquarters and Decentralized Offices.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
In general, assigned tasks and responsibilities will usually include one or more of the following elements depending on the assignment and the expertise of the incumbent.ย
โข ย ย Prepare technical documents (climate risk screenings and climate impact assessments) to evaluate the effects of climate risks in agrifood systems, for climate change adaptation project formulation and policy development.
โข ย ย Analyze technical, social, economic, environmental information and data to characterize climate impacts and climate risks in agriculture (crop, livestock, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture) and in agrifood systems
โข ย ย Provide technical support to development and implementation of climate risk assessment tools and methodologies.
โข ย ย Support the Risk Team transferring risk knowledge (including tools, datasets, and methodologies) to FAO country/regional offices \" Participate in relevant meetings.
โข ย ย Participate in multidisciplinary teams and promote climate risk management and climate services across FAOโs work areas
โข ย ย Provide technical support to FAOโs work on climate services and climate risks as required.
โข ย ย Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in agrometeorology, climate science, agriculture, hydrology, crop science, soil science, animal science, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical geography, remote sensing or a related field.
โข ย ย A minimum of one year (for CAT C), a minimum of 5 years (for CAT B) and a minimum of 10 years (CAT A) of relevant experience in assessment of climate impacts on agriculture, climate services, climate risk assessment, risk management applied to agrifood systems.
โข ย ย Working knowledge (Proficiency Level C) of English
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in assessing climate impacts on agriculture, analyzing climate risks in agricultural sectors, or related technical assessments, with a variety of approaches including impact models (e.g. crops, hydrology, ecosystem), and economic/econometric approaches.
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to analyze interlinkages among climate variability including extremes (e.g., drought, flood, extreme heat), climate change, agriculture, environment, and socioeconomic factors from transdisciplinary risk management perspective.
โข ย ย Demonstrated capacity to conduct technical analysis in relation to climate services and climate risks in agrifood systems
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to draft technical documents, guidelines and manuals
โข ย ย Excellent skills in writing scientific papers and reports in English
โข ย ย Demonstrated data analysis and management skills with climate, agronomic, socioeconomic, remote sensing, and environmental data
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to work independently to produce quality outputs and meet the deadline with minimal supervision
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation of training materials and delivery of training.
โข ย ย Excellent communication skills
โข ย ย Familiarity with formulation of projects such as those funded by GEF and GCF is an asset.
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, or as part of an interdisciplinary team, is an asset.
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Candidates will be assessed against the requirements and skills listed above.
โข ย ย Limited knowledge (Intermediate Level B) of French, Spanish Arabic, Chinese or Russian is an asset.