Public Health and Climate Change Specialist

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. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the FAO work in the Pacific and covers 14 - Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Tokelau (one Associate Member). SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development priorities, in which gender, climate change adaption, and anticipatory action are important cross-cutting issues. SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion wide institutions and entities. 
The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). The position will be home-based with mission travel to Nauru.

Reporting Lines

The Public Health and Climate Change Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific and will directly report to the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO) / Natural Resource Management Officer. He/she will also liaise and work closely with project team.

Technical Focus

The Public Health and Climate Change Specialist will conduct a study to assess the nexus of public health and climate change in Nauru. The study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on public health and identify strategies for adaptation and mitigation support the co-design process, prefeasibility studies, and the development of a project concept note for a potential GCF project in Nauru to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Public Health and Climate Change Specialist will be responsible for ensuring alignment between the project and national climate change planning processes.  They will also ensure regular stakeholder engagement and communications between relevant government departments.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct a study to assess the nexus of public health and climate change in Nauru. The study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on public health and identify strategies for adaptation and mitigation. The public health and climate change study focuses on addressing the health impacts of climate change, identifying health risks, raising awareness, building resilience, promoting sustainable practices, and advocating for environmental justice. 
•     Identifyi Health Risks by analysing the potential health consequences of climate change, including heat-related illnesses, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases, and food insecurity, assessing the vulnerability of populations and communities to climate change impacts; conducting vulnerability and adaptation assessments of climate-sensitive health outcomes and risks. 
•     Develop in close collaboration with the LTO, Technical Adviser, NDA an outline of the study's purpose, scope, objectives, methodology, deliverables, and timeline, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, the evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements. Gather and synthesize literature and supplementary information as required, including the preparation and sharing of relevant reports and briefings as well as communication material (presentations).
•     Engage stakeholders and communities to promote understanding and action on climate change and health. And organize a broad stakeholder’s workshop with participation of all relevant agencies, where the final report with findings, lessons learnt, and recommendations will be presented. Prepare presentations and briefing notes where required for the validation workshop. 
•     Join missions to Nauru where required. 
•     Collect, review, and analyse Nauru’s policy and regulatory frameworks on climate change and health that are of relevance to the study.
•     Contribute to the co-design and visioning process, including the development of a concept note for a GCF project on agri-food system and water.
•     Draft Back-to-Office Reports (BTORs) and meeting / workshop proceedings.
•     Perform other duties as required.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en   
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en 
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm 
FAO Names Of Countries: https://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     An advanced degree (Master's) in public health, with a specialization in environmental health or climate change. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, environmental health, or a related social science with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
•     With Master level degree a minimum of 5 years (Level B) in environmental health, including a significant portion (at least 3 years) specifically focused on climate change and its health implications
•     With Bachelor level degree a minimum of 7 years (level B) of relevant working experience in  in environmental health, including a significant portion (at least 3 years) specifically focused on climate change and its health implications. 
•     Working Knowledge of (proficiency-Level C) English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extensive experience in providing technical advice in relation to GCF investments.
•     Experience working with international organizations (like the WHO or other UN agencies) and managing climate change and health projects, including proposal writing and reporting. Managing projects and developing proposals; developing capacity building materials; conducting health vulnerability and adaptation assessments; and working with communities to build resilience to climate-related health risks.
•     Good knowledge of situation in Nauru and familiarity with Pacific Small Island Developing States.
•     Demonstrated project management experience.
•     Demonstrated knowledge of GCF modalities and procedures, including requirements and guidelines (vii)
•     Demonstrated engagements with Country Strategic Frameworks, and/or related document development.
•     Demonstrated experience with the Green Climate Fund’s investment criteria including the development of project Concept Notes/Funding Proposals to the GCF and other donor agencies. 
•     In-depth understanding of climate finance issues, at the international level and regional scales, with knowledge of the current climate finance architecture of the Green Climate Fund. 
•     Experience working with a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials in small and vulnerable states (SIDS and LDCs)
•     Experience in working in Nauru or Pacific region will be an advantage
•     Strong writing skills and language proficiency
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work

Selection Criteria

•     A doctorate is an advantage.