Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAOโs Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind. Since 2006, FAO has been partnering with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support countries worldwide in addressing the complex challenges at the nexus between the agrifood systems and the environment. As of now, FAO has secured over $1.9 billion in GEF grants and attracted another $13.4 billion in co-financing pledges to assist more than 130 countries in projects that respond to local priorities, deliver global environmental benefits, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GEF is a partnership of 18 entities, including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national organizations and international non-governmental organizations, among others, which is working with 183 countries to address the most pressing environmental challenges related to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, chemicals and international waters. The GEF provides grants to enable countries to address these challenges, while contributing to their development goals.
FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) in Samoa supports member countries in meeting their national priorities in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, agri-food systems, nutrition, and rural development and in accessing GEF financing to meet these priorities. The FAO member countries in the Pacific include the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. As of January 2026, FAO's total GEF portfolio stands at USD 69.05 million in the Pacific (USD 41.35 million operational; USD 27.7 million in the pipeline). ย
Reporting Lines
The GEF Project Design Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands (SRC). He/She will work under the technical supervision of the SAP Better Environment Module Leader/ LTO, and in close collaboration with National Environmental Expert and PPG Coordinator and International GEF Programme Specialist.
Technical Focus
The GEF Project Design Expert (PDE) will be responsible for designing and formulating the project document in alignment with the national priorities and GEF programming directions. Project formulation activities will involve desk review, project feasibility analysis, multi-stakeholder meetings, and the production of a variety of technical documents as part of the Prodoc.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following tasks:
โข Conduct desktop reviews, feasibility analyses, and project designs for GEF.
โข Provide overall technical guidance to the PPG team in preparation for the FAO-GEF ProDoc, building on approved Project identification form (PIF)/Concept note.ย
โข Travel to project countries to lead consultations, project inception and validation workshops and collect necessary information.
โข Coordinate with PPG team members, compile their deliverables and finalize them by providing necessary inputs.
โข Develop a technically sound GEF project document/PIF with necessary annexes well before the GEF deadline.
โข Incorporate FAO internal as well as external stakeholder feedback into the project documents, including that obtained through the workshops and consultations.
โข Ensure the final PIF/Prodoc package for submission meets all FAO, GEF, and Government requirements.
โข Incorporate all the comments of the GEF Secretariat, Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), and GEF Council.
โข Perform other project related tasks assigned by the supervisor.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย
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โข Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Climate Change, Social Science or related fieldsย
or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.ย
โข 5 years of relevant experience in GEF funded project design, and formulation in the Asia-Pacific regionย
โข Working knowledge of English is required (C1)
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement