National Expert on Policy Analysis and Development (Climate Change)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  
The project will support partnering institutions and the national climate change committee with the creation of mechanisms for the establishment of climate adaptation incentives/subsidies/standards to support and scale-up the adoption of: 
A.    Adoption of drought-tolerant grains and fruits and changes in the grain-related subsidies to progressively shift from production-based subsidies/incentives to climate-adaptive incentives/subsidies based on the adoption of climate-smart field and water management (e.g. those introduced in components 1 & 2 of the BRCCJ project); 
B.    Adoption of water-efficient technologies to obtain premium water and agriculture subsidies to progressively shift from production-based subsidies/incentives to climate-adaptive incentives/subsidies based on adopting climate-smart field and water management (e.g. practices and technologies introduced in component 2 of the project.). 

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Jordan. 

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Jordan Representative, and supervision of the Lead Technical Advisor, of the BRCCJ, the National Expert on Policy Analysis and Development (climate change) will implement the required tasks, in close consultation with the Policy and Educational Reform Specialist, the Ministries of Agriculture, Water, and Environment, and relevant stockholders.

Technical Focus

•    Policies with a potential impact on water use
•    Policies that would encourage the adoption of adaptation measures
•    Water conservation and climate change

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will be mainly involved in implementing tasks under Activity 3.1.1.1, of the project, the expert will be based at the Ministry of Environment to support the project PMU. The assignment    will involve the following tasks:

Task 1: Desk Review of existing policies

•    Conduct a comprehensive review of existing crosscutting policies, strategies, and regulations between agriculture, water management, and climate change adaptation in Jordan.
•    Review sectoral strategies such as Jordan’s National Water Strategy, Agricultural Development Strategy, and the National Climate Change Policy.

Task 2: Stakeholder Gender-inclusive Consultation, bottleneck identification

•    Identify specific regulatory bottlenecks, institutional challenges, and policy gaps that hinder climate adaptation in the agriculture and water sectors, taking into consideration gender sensitive consultation tools.
•    In collaboration with the Policy and Educational reform specialist, conduct consultations on suggestions for the creation of mechanisms for the establishment of incentives for climate change to support and scale-up adoption of water-efficient technologies. 

Task 3. Support stakeholders in initiating the necessary policy reform processes to address the following bottlenecks:

1.    Design and promote climate-adaptive subsidies as alternatives to current policies (e.g., cereal price and purchase policy)
2.    Enforce the application of the green building code in rural areas to optimize water resource use in vulnerable governorates (project areas)
3.    Provide public incentives, investments, and actions to ensure the adoption of climate change adaptation practices related to water scarcity by local administrations and communities
4.    Enhance public infrastructure to support climate change adaptation through water harvesting and reduced water consumption among rural populations
5.    Introduce and support climate change adaptation in agriculture through public incentives, investments, and strengthened agricultural extension services

Task 4: Recommendations and Action Plan

•    Develop recommendations for improving the policy and regulatory framework to support climate-smart agriculture and sustainable water management.
•    Propose an action plan for addressing the identified bottlenecks, including legislative amendments, capacity-building initiatives, and institutional reforms.

Task 5: Report on progress

•    Submit monthly progress reports to the PMU (6 reports). Address the comments raised during the clearance process of the assignment deliverables. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master’s degree in public policy, environmental policy, agricultural economics, water resource management, law, political science, or a related field.
•    At least 7 years of experience in policy analysis, regulatory reform, and institutional governance, particularly in the agriculture, water, or environmental sectors.
•    Full proficiency knowledge of spoken and written English and Arabic is required
•    National of Jordan or a legal resident in the country.
  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture, water governance, and public policy mechanisms.
•    Experience identifying regulatory bottlenecks and proposing evidence-based policy solutions.
•    Ability to assess and recommend incentive mechanisms for climate adaptation (e.g., climate-adaptive subsidies, public investment models).

Selection Criteria

•    PhD would be an asset. 
•    Specialized training or certification in climate policy, governance, or regulatory reform is an asset.
•    Proven excellence in report writing skills.
•    Strong Communication skills in English and Arabic (Speaking, reading and writing).