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 GIAHS Secretariat is the operational unit of FAOโs GIAHS Programme and its role consists in providing guidance to FAO member countries for the development and submission of GIAHS proposals, as well as for the implementation of follow- up activities. Furthermore, it has the function of liaising with governments and national/international organizations for the establishment of new partnerships, which may be necessary for the future development and geographic expansion of the Programme.
The position is located in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Secretariat, in FAO Headquarters in Rome.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will report to the GIAHS Senior Coordinator.
Technical Focusย
Support the implementation of the work plan of the GIAHS Secretariat; including the activities of the Scientific Advisory Committee, the expansion of the Programme in new areas, and its technical strengthening on monitoring and agronomic and environmental matters.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Lead the activities related to the organization of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), in particular: communicate with member countries/local institutions on the submission of proposals, review of proposals, establishment of the agenda in coordination with the experts, moderation of the sessions in support to the SAG Chair, preparation of the outcomes, and subsequent communication with countries;
โข ย ย Organize and coordinate International Meetings on GIAHS related matters and special events, such as the biennium GIAHS Certificate Award Ceremonyย
โข ย ย Maintain the relationship with donor countries and agencies, such as Italy, Spain, Japan and China, as well as explore new resource partners, such as the GEF, IFAD, and new Member Countries;
โข ย ย Under the guidance of OCB-Director, follow up on the GIAHS informative label, including meetings with FAO relevant units, preparation of documents, and exchanges with the interested GIAHS member countries;
โข ย ย Communicate with partner UN Agencies (UNU, UNWTO, UNESCO and ICCROM, among others) on the implementation of Letters of Agreement (LOAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and their associated work plans when relevant;
โข ย ย Continue the collaboration with the FAO Liaison Office to the EU (FAO-LOB) for the promotion of GIAHS within EU institutions, such as the Committee of the Regions, the Directorate-General for Agriculture (DG-Agri)
โข ย ย Provide advocacy support to key stakeholders, particularly Government Officials and FAO Country Offices, on the development and implementation of GIAHS-related submissions and actions;
โข ย ย Supervise and provide guidance to junior consultants, research fellows and interns working in the GIAHS Secretariat, as delegated by the GIAHS Coordinator;
โข ย ย Coordinate technical work, including collaboration with researchers, partner organizations and of FAO units to develop the knowledgebase and insights on GIAHS practices and approaches and its relevance to sustainable transitions and resilience to shocks such as climate change.
โข ย ย Manage and develop technical materials, guidance materials and documents for interaction with FAO member countries and national/local entities on the development of GIAHS proposals and action plans, the establishment of local committees/monitoring activities, among others;ย
โข ย ย Carry on the organization of workshops, trainings, and provide technical guidance at the local and national level;ย
โข ย ย Conduct technical reviews of GIAHS proposals and other technical documents submitted by Member Countries for inputs (such as specific regulations, the establishment of national protection systems โ NIAHS, marketing, among others);
โข ย ย Support preparation of project proposals, implement activities and elaborate progress reports on the Trust Funds of the Programme and implement activities requested by donors;
โข ย ย Represent FAO in meetings and international conferences as and when required;
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in agronomy, forestry, fisheries, agricultural economics, natural resource management, ecology (agroecology), biodiversity, anthropology, landscape management or sustainable rural development.
โข ย ย A minimum of one year (for CAT C) and a minimum of five years (for CAT B) of relevant experience in developing substantive initiatives related to sustainable agriculture, natural resources management and/or integrated landscape approaches.
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English (Proficiency level C)ย
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 project and portfolio monitoring, reporting and implementation support
โข ย ย Relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Sustainable Food Chains, Agricultural Heritage, Climate Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Natural Resources Management, Geographical Information Systems or Landscape Approaches
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of UN and/or international resource partnersโ policies, procedures, project cycle and results-based monitoring and reporting.ย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in facilitating compliance procedures and managing international cooperation portfolios and/or projects.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building, partnership building and resource mobilization.
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is a strong asset.
โข ย ย Demonstrated experience with portfolio management, analysis, reporting and dissemination to support decision making.
โข ย ย Limited knowledge (intermediate level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization
(Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).ย