Senior Natural Resources Officer

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2602273
• Opportunity type: Staff position
• Grade / contract type: Professional
• Organizational unit: OCB
• Duration: Fixed-term%5C: two years with possibility of extension
• Application deadline: 26/Nov/2026, 1:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

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 Fund (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). 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).

FAO has established a GCF Team within OCB (OCB-GCF Team) to coordinate the development and management of the GCF related portfolio. The OCB-GCF Team works in close collaboration with FAO Decentralized Offices and technical staff to identify, develop and deliver high-quality climate investment and readiness projects that respond to countries' priorities as defined in their national climate and sectoral policies and that deliver the transformational change sought by the GCF.

The position is located in the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Natural Resources Officer (Coordinator FAO-GCF Partnership) reports to the Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment.

Technical Focus

To manage and enhance the partnerships with the Green Climate Fund (GFC) and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), including the development and management of the related portfolios in alignment with FAO's mandate and the Climate Change Strategy.

Key Results

Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

•         Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services to technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

•         Analyses global and country-specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.

•         Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of approaches, evidence-based strategies and related tools, methodologies, supporting system/database, as well as monitoring and reporting frameworks.

•         Conducts, designs and oversees research and analytical activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services.

•         Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes.

•         Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge-sharing activities within Members, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and online tools.

•         Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

•         Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

•         Manages FAO’s corporate partnership with the Green Climate Fund and the Fund to Responding to Loss and Damage and related resource mobilization, including participation in boards, strategic meetings as well as periodic reviews of pipeline and project implementation.

•         Oversees the pipeline management, coordination, implementation and reporting of FAO GCF's work, in close collaboration with relevant technical units and decentralised offices of the Organization.

•         Oversees the development and provides final quality assurance clearance for all documents to be submitted to GCF (including readiness, funding Proposals, and reports) and to FRLD and ensures their full alignment with FAO corporate priorities and FAO strategy on climate change.

•         Coordinates relationships with decentralized offices regarding regional GCF and FRLD pipeline/project implementation.

•         Leads the implementation support of GCF projects (funding proposals and readiness) and of FRLD projects.

•         Ensures that appropriate mitigation measures/adaptive management responses are in place.

•         Oversees contributions to FAO corporate reporting and documents.

•         Leads the preparation of guidance documents/project cycle updates and ensures FAO-GCF and FRLD specificities are considered/reflected in relevant new FAO policy documents/guidance.

•         Leads the identification of new strategic partners and modalities for engagement (in particular new access entities).

•         Oversees capacity development activities across the Organization and with country partners.

•         Oversees the planning, implementation, and accountable management of dedicated human resources and funds, ensuring full compliance with donor and organizational standards, and delivering technical and financial reporting to oversight bodies and partners.

•         Performs other duties as required, contributing to broader organizational priorities and ensuring the continuous advancement of climate change objectives within FAO's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•         Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resources management, climate change, environment, agriculture, forestry or a related field.

•         Ten years of relevant experience in climate change programme management with an international organization.

•         Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

•         Results Focus

•         Leading, Engaging and Empowering

•         Communication

•         Partnering and Advocating

•         Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

•         Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

·                      Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.

·                      Extent of knowledge of developments in climate change including relevant international fora.

·                      Proven relevant experience in the preparation of large-scale projects and related technical and policy documents in the field of climate action and agrifood systems.

·                      Extent of knowledge and relevance of experience in technical matters related to climate change, and experience in planning and implementation of climate programmes, at different levels.

·                      Demonstrated skills and experience in leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, cross-sectoral analysis and programme components in support of climate action at country, regional and/or global levels.

·                      Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to undertake programming quality assurance processes and manage programmes, projects, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.

·                      Demonstrated results in partnership management and resource mobilization and engagement with international funding partners.

·                      Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of a second FAO official language preferably French or Spanish is desirable.

·                      Demonstrated experience in working with GCF project formulation and/or management is considered a strong asset.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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 GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.  
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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