Bioeconomy Specialist

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 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 specialist will work for the Environment Team, which is located in OCB at FAO Headquarters.

Reporting Lines

The specialist will report to the Natural Resources Officer (Environmental Sustainability) and works under the overall guidance of the Senior Natural Resources Officer at OCB in cooperation with relevant Officer(s) in the FAO Regional/Country Offices and/or FAO relevant Units.

Technical Focus 
Provides technical, policy and programme support promoting sustainable bioeconomy in food and agriculture through technological (biotechnology, bioengineering, product design for outcome, and bio-based processing), organizational (policies and institutional behaviour) and social innovations (societal awareness, data systems, and human capital), responsible consumption and production based on healthier diets and efficient use and reuse of biological resources and improve livelihoods. Supports countries in the formulation and implementation of integrated evidence-based bioeconomy policies, practices and projects for sustainable and circular agrifood systems that are inclusive of rural communities, indigenous groups, youth and women.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
•     Conducts research and provides expert advice on integrating biotechnology, bioengineering, product design, cascading use and bio-based processing into agrifood systems.
•     Assists in identifying inclusive business models and opportunities to scale innovation, mobilize financing and investment, addressing regulatory, infrastructure and market barriers, and promoting equitable benefit-sharing for sustainable bioeconomy.
•     Contributes to the development of new FAO data, methods, tools and services for sustainable bioeconomy used for policies, programs and investment projects in agrifood sectors.
•     Supports the development and strengthening of monitoring and assessment frameworks for tracking bioeconomy progress and impacts.
•     Develops sustainable bioeconomy project proposals and concept notes for resource mobilization in collaboration with FAO teams and country stakeholders, including for the Adaptation Fund, Global Climate Fund and Global Environmental Facility.
•     Assists countries in the design, formulation, and implementation of integrated, evidence-based bioeconomy projects that promote sustainability and efficiency in agrifood systems.
•     Develops and curates knowledge products, such as toolkits, case studies, and policy briefs, to support learning and replication of successful bioeconomy initiatives.
For Consultants only:   
•     Organizes and delivers capacity-building activities (workshops, training sessions, webinars) for bioeconomy stakeholders.
•     Supports coordination of the FAO’s PPA on Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
•     Builds partnerships with relevant international organizations, research institutes, private sector and donor agencies to advance bioeconomy objectives.
•     Represents FAO in relevant meetings, conferences, and working groups on sustainable bioeconomy.
•     Contributes to the visibility of FAO’s work on sustainable bioeconomy through articles, briefs, and social media content.
•     Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, biotechnology, natural resources management, engineering, environmental economics, environmental law, agriculture, forestry, plant sciences or a related field.
•     One to four years of relevant experience (Category C), at least five years’ relevant experience (Category B) or at least ten years' relevant experience (Category A) in analyzing scientific and related policy questions, conducting research and writing reports, and project/programme management in the field of sustainable bioeconomy, agrifood system transformation, innovation and/or biotechnologies.   
•     Working knowledge of English (Level C) is essential

FAO Core Competencies
•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     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 experience in conducting research related to sustainable bioeconomy, agrifood system transformation, innovation and/or biotechnologies is essential.
•     Familiarity with global environmental funding mechanisms will be considered an asset.

Selection criteria:
•     Proven project development and/or implementation experience relevant to sustainable bioeconomy, particularly in developing countries is considered an asset.
•     Knowledge of another FAO official language   (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.