Environment and Climate Change Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Bhutan is committed to enhancing the country's resilience in agriculture, livestock, food systems, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience efforts. To achieve this goal, the Bhutan Country Office (CO) has launched the Country Programming Framework (2024-2028), which aims to mobilize approximately USD 83 million through four key priority areas:

•    Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation
•    Food Security, Safety, and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture
•    Sustainable Natural Resources Management
•    Evidence-Based Agrifood Systems Planning

As part of its growing portfolio, the Bhutan Country Office (CO) is recruiting a National Environment and Climate Change Specialist (ECC) to provide technical leadership on environmental sustainability and climate-related interventions, and to support the design and implementation of country-specific activities under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), environmental safeguards, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land and water management initiatives.

The Environment and Climate Change Specialist will lead and coordinate FAO Bhutan’s environment and climate-related programs, ensure integration of environmental sustainability into agricultural projects, and support policy and institutional strengthening in Bhutan. The ECC Specialist will provide technical and strategic advice for environmental sustainability, climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem-based approaches, and compliance with international environmental and climate commitments. 

Reporting Lines

The Environment and Climate Change Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Bhutan, and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (AFAOR).

Technical Focus

The Environment and Climate Change Specialist will support the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into Bhutan’s agricultural policies and programs, considering its unique ecosystems and smallholder farms.  

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the coordination of FAO’s environmental and climate-related projects, including the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and ecosystem-based approaches.
•    Provide technical guidance for integrating environmental sustainability and climate change considerations into FAO’s project design, implementation, and monitoring.
•    Conduct environmental assessments and landscape analyses to support sustainable land and natural resources management.
•    Provide expertise on biodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based solutions across the agriculture sector.
•    Support mainstreaming of environmental safeguards and climate-resilient practices into national plans, sectoral policies, and strategies.
•    Assist in collaborating with government agencies and partners to develop policies and frameworks aligned with national and international environmental and climate commitments (e.g., UNFCCC, CBD, NDCs, LDN).
•    Support coordination and knowledge exchange among stakeholders involved in environment and climate change initiatives.
•    Mobilize resources and develop project proposals. 
•    Provide technical input on greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems relevant to agriculture and land use sectors.
•    Provide support in designing and implementing capacity building activities for national institutions, extension agents, and communities on sustainable environmental and climate practices.
•    Ensure compliance with FAO’s environmental and social management guidelines during project formulation and implementation.
•    Monitor project progress and contribute to reports and evaluations related to environmental and climate outcomes.
•    Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report detailing contributions and outcomes.
•    Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   
 
•    Advanced university degree Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
•    A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in environment and climate change sectors, with demonstrated work in sustainable agriculture and rural development in developing countries.
•    Working knowledge of English and Dzongkha
•    National of Bhutan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    In-depth knowledge of environmental policy, ecosystem services, climate-smart agriculture, and related global frameworks.
•    Proven experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring environment and climate-related projects.
•    Experience with GHG monitoring and reporting systems, particularly in land use and agriculture.
•    Familiarity with FAO’s or other UN agencies’ environmental safeguard standards is an advantage.
•    Demonstrated success in partnership development and resource mobilization

Selection Criteria 

•    Based on requirements, competencies and skills.