National Environmental Expert

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 FAO’s 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. 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. 
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved the request for the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) of the project GCP /CKI/12048P/GBF “Restoring Biodiversity and Cultural Resilience in the Cook Islands through Native Species Recovery, Invasive Species Control, and Biodiversity Assessment)”. The project will enhance the ecological integrity and resilience of the Cook Islands while safeguarding culturally significant landscapes through the conservation of native species and habitat restoration, management of invasive alien species, and strengthening of biodiversity knowledge, monitoring, and community stewardship.  In preparation for the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase, the FAO, in collaboration with the Government of Cook Islands, will develop the full project document in alignment with the national priorities and GBFF programming areas. The project preparation activities will include desk review as well as multi-stakeholder consultations to ensure the involvement of key stakeholders in the project design process and produce a number of technical documents as a part of the Prodoc.

Reporting Lines

The National Environmental 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 the International GEF Project Design Expert and International GEF Programme Specialist.

Technical Focus

The National Environmental Expert will support the project formulation activities at the national level and provide technical input to the project document.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support the organization and preparation for project inception and validation workshop and prepare workshop reports. 
•     Compile baseline data and information, collate and synthesize relevant policies, projects, and institutional frameworks and mapping of key stakeholders to engage for project success. 
•     Provide support in obtaining necessary information from the lead executing partner and other organizations.
•     Identify all relevant potential environmental risks and social and gender concerns that may arise as a result of the project.
•     Develop a gender action plan, stakeholder engagement plan and environmental and social management plan (ESMP) for the project based on FAO template.  
•     Provide input to the different sections and Annexes of the project document.
•     Obtain timely feedback on draft ProDoc and project budget items from key stakeholders and working with the PPG team in responding to comments and concerns on time.
•     Provide support to refine the Prodoc as per the comments from GEF.
•     Perform other project related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•     Advanced University degree in Environmental Science, Biodiversity, Forestry/Natural Resources Management or related fields 
•     5 years of relevant experience in GCF/GCF or other doner funded project design, planning, implementation, and management 
•     Working knowledge of English 
•     National of the Cook Islands or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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