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 GEF and the 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 FAO's work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).
The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) keeps under review matters related to the Organization's policies, programmes and activities regarding biodiversity for food and agriculture and its interlinkages with climate change, health, nutrition and other matters. The Commission's Secretariat, which is located in OCB, supports the work of the Commission and follows up on its decisions. It also monitors and reports to the Commission on developments in relevant international bodies and processes. The Commission's Strategic Plan contains the Commission's vision, mission and goals and embraces its rolling Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW) covering the biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture and all sectoral and cross-sectoral matters the Commission deals with.
The position is located in the Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Officer (Climate Change - Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture) reports to the Secretary of the Commission and works in close cooperation with relevant staff within the Commission Secretariat.
Technical Focus
Comprehensive technical and policy support to the planning, development and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO's Strategic Objectives and the Commission's MYPOW.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Key Functions
Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres and promotes best practices.
Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
Provides support for the implementation of the MYPOW and to the interdivisional MYPOW Task Force.
Designs, plans and implements activities in support of the Commission's MYPOW and as requested by the Commission, particularly in, but not limited to, the areas of climate change, gender mainstreaming and communication, including the development of policies, guidelines, best practices, and training and outreach materials.
Monitors policy, legal and technical developments of other international fora in the spheres of biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture and analyzes their relevance to the implementation of the MYPOW.
Prepares and organizes technical and policy meetings on biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Prepares and supports the preparation of technical and policy documents related to biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture and cross-cutting issues, including climate change and gender mainstreaming, and facilitates coordination among FAO units.
Prepares outreach and communication materials, including briefs for communicating the Commission's activities to other relevant instruments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and relevant stakeholders, as well as raising awareness.
Assists in facilitating cooperation and dialogue in the fields related to the Commission's mandate and liaises with other UN specialized agencies, Multilateral Environmental Agreement secretariats; non-governmental organizations, international organizations, national research institutes and other relevant entities with a view to strengthen cooperation and increase synergies in areas of mutual interest.
Supports resource mobilization and management for the Commission's portfolio.
Performs other duties as requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, science and technology, or a related field.
Five years of relevant experience relevant experience in biodiversity-related work, particularly in the nexus between climate change and genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
Results Focus