Senior Coordinator (GIAHS)

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 cross-organizational coordination 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 Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (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.

The post is located in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Initiative (GIAHS) Team of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Coordinator (GIAHS) reports to the Director, OCB.

Technical Focus

The coordination of the GIAHS programme, its projects and activities, including promoting close cooperation with other OCB teams, FAO technical units, Members and partners. The incumbent ensures that GIAHS initiatives and activities align with and contribute to the delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and the Programme Priority Areas (PPAs), particularly those related to climate change, biodiversity and bioeconomy, as well as with the FAO strategies and action plans on climate change and biodiversity mainstreaming.

Key Results

Advice and technical expertise provided to the Division for the planning, development, and implementation of programmes of work, projects, and related services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework to ensure smooth operation of the Division.

Key Functions

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; directs the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact assessments or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, as well as conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased dialogue, develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.
  
  

Specific Functions

• Demonstrates leadership and technical expertise for the effective planning, development and implementation of the GIAHS programme and its associated projects.
• Effectively manages the implementation of the GIAHS programme, providing oversight and support to the GIAHS Team in OCB.
• Oversees planning and reporting on the GIAHS programme, its projects and activities, including the preparation of technical, financial and administrative reports required by FAO, donors and related entities.
• Mobilizes resources to support GIAHS activities at the global, regional and country levels, including developing concept notes, proposals and full project documents.
• Coordinates and develops new technical and research partnerships including with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage and Man and the Biosphere (MAB), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN), etc.
• Acts as Secretary to the meetings of the International Steering Committee and Scientific Advisory Board in support of the Director of OCB.
• Facilitates collaboration with OCB teams, FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices for the effective development, management, oversight and promotion of GIAHS.
• Represents GIAHS at international conferences, meetings and workshops.
• Supports the development and revisions of evaluation methodologies and assessment frameworks and establishes a monitoring system for GIAHS sites and for their use of the GIAHS logo.
• Undertakes communication and outreach to promote the GIAHS programme and its sites.
• Provides inputs to relevant international policy bodies and FAO technical and governing bodies.
  
  

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in natural resources management, agricultural sciences, or environmental sciences.
• Ten years of relevant experience in agricultural production systems, biodiversity, climate change and landscape and ecosystem-based approaches, as well as relevant experience in oversight of, and support to local sites with a strong understanding of social issues (smallholder farmers, youth and gender), economic issues (livelihoods, trade in sustainable commodities) and sustainability issues (climate change, biodiversity, bioeconomy). Additionally, experience in coordinating relevant international networks and supporting global processes and steering committees.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official 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 and relevance of experience in natural resources management and integrated farm and landscape agriculture/environmental approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in multisectoral, multidisciplinary work, especially related to climate change, biodiversity and environmental inter linkages with agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes related to natural resources management in development organizations.
• Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to create networks and strategic partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders at local, national and global level, including donors and related organizations such as UNESCO, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and IUCN.
• Experience in developing landscape and ecosystem-based assessment methodologies and related monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience with providing support to local and farm entities.
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization from multiple sources, project formulation and management, as well as budgetary and management leadership roles.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
  
  

Job Posting

02/Jul/2024

Closure Date

23/Jul/2024, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

OCB

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-5

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number

2005112

CCOG Code

1A02

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.
  
  

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.