The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions/offices/centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change) reports to the RAF Senior Forestry Officer.

Technical Focus

Climate change, natural resource management, and environment.

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 and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees 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, 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 Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Provides technical expertise and strategic thinking in the areas of climate change, biodiversity and natural resources management to the Regional Office, and its related subregions and Country Offices.
• Facilitates the effective formulation and implementation of regional/subregion projects and programmes in Africa on climate change, biodiversity and natural resources management.
• Supports the regional team in effective implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, Program of Work and Budget (PWB), the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Strategy and its Action Plans and other approved initiatives, with a focus on climate change and natural resources.
• Provides support to regional programmes and teams working under Better Environment (with a focus on Programme Priority Areas on climate change, biodiversity and bioeconomy) and FAO Africa Regional Thematic Priority on climate action and sustainable natural resources management.
• Supports Forestry/Natural Resources Management (NRM) unit in promoting implementation, monitoring and reporting progress on FAO Strategy on Climate Change (2022-2031) and its Action Plan in Africa.
• Provides technical expertise on strategies and approaches, as well as guidance on technologies and innovations for developing and implementing solutions on sustainable natural management, in particular on protection, restoration and sustainable use of resources with a view to build resilient livelihoods, ending poverty and ensuring food security and nutrition in the context of a changing climate.
• Collaborates closely with the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment and develops work function relationships with other technical teams and divisions at Regional/Subregional Offices, headquarters, and other relevant FAO units in order to coordinate delivery of activities and initiatives related to the climate change in the region.
• Provides support to RAF resource mobilization and partnership activities around sustainable natural resources management, climate change and related work.
• Performs other related duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in natural resources with focus on climate change, environment science, or other field related to natural resources.
• Five years of relevant experience in climate change, natural resources management, environment, forestry and/or natural resources management in Africa and/or developing countries.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO Official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Demonstrated competency in establishing and maintaining partnerships and raising funds, and preferably vertical funds (Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility or/and Adaptation Fund) and other bilateral and multilateral sources.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and implementation of climate and natural resource management projects and programmes.
• Depth of familiarity with relevant technological and innovation and experience with one, or in all of the following disciplines: climate change (adaptation and mitigation), energy smart agriculture including sustainable bioenergy development, natural resource management, forestry management, water management, land management and/or rural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of projects and programmes for sustainability improvement in NRM sector.
• Ability to analyse and understand policy and governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex climate and natural resource management issues.