Climate Change and Greening Agriculture Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). 
The assignment will be carried out under the Greening Agriculture Team, Near East Regional Office (RNE). The consultant will be required to support the work of the team which covers climate change adaptation, restoration, bioeconomy and Land and water management.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the Team Leader – Senior Programme Officer (Forestry) with direct supervision from the relevant technical officers in the team.

Technical Focus

The assignment aims to provide support to the team’s work on climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as the greening agriculture activities including ecosystem restoration, bioeconomy and integrated land and water approach. The consultant will be involved in cross-sectoral work that includes forestry, agriculture, livestock management, water,  and fisheries and aquaculture, contributing to FAO’s strategic objectives of making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable.

RP3 drives evidence-based policies, institutional reform, and cross-border cooperation for a more resilient agrifood future, linking restoration and integrated natural resources management approaches including aquatic management to food security and livelihoods while empowering women and youth as agents of change.

Main focus areas:

• Enhance water productivity, governance, and integrated water resource management.
• Promote circular, low-emission, and climate-resilient agrifood systems.
• Advance sustainable soil and land management.
• Restore landscapes, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem service.
• Implement inclusive, ecosystem-based aquatic food systems.

Cross-cutting themes covered by this call for expression of interest:

•     Technical expertise for general or narrow specialties in functional areas (e.g. dryland, livestock management, and Mediterranean forest experts, rangeland and silvopastoral management expert, mangrove expert, forest and land restoration specialists, monitoring experts, forest products and socio-economic experts, etc.)
•     Policy Advice and Governance
•     Statistics
•     Geographical Information Systems
•     Information Management
•     Outreach and advocacy
•     Programme/Project Development and Management
•     Monitoring and Evaluation

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support the development and implementation of guidelines and practical tools and methodologies to promote effective climate change adaptation, through cross sectoral and participatory approaches, in alignment with the main relevant international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030. 
•     Support the development and management of technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services. 
•     Design and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
•     Support country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices; provides technical backstopping to field projects. 
•     Support the provision of  and technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tool.
•     Contribute to the coordination, implementation and administration of assigned programmes/activities in accordance with FAO rules, procedures and systems.
•     As applicable, organize and participate in missions and other events in support of the delivery of FOA’s programme of work, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to beneficiaries of FAO support programmes and projects.
•     Contribute to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and advocacy material related to Greening Agriculture’s area of work, including guidelines, capacity building and training material.
•     Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Master level degree or a Bachelor degree with additional two years of level work experience in climate change, bioeconomy,  Natural Resources, restoration, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Human resources management, law, social sciences, business management, business administration, political science and international relations or a related field. or related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. 
•     PSA Subscribers must have the relevant educational background including specific academic or technical qualifications within the required field of expertise in climate change, economy,  Natural Resources, Agriculture,  Sciences, or related field.
•     With Master level degree a minimum of 10 years (level A), 5 years (Level B), 1 years (level C) of relevant working experience for consultants/PSA.SBS 
•     With Bachelor level degree a minimum of 12 years (level A), 7 years (level B), 3 years (level C) in the above mentioned areas 
•     Candidates are required to have working knowledge (level C) of one FAO language relevant to the assignment and knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset. 
•     A second FAO language may be required if necessary for the assignment and if this has been expressly indicated in the assignment announcement

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 
•     Extent and relevance of experience in 
•     Extent and relevance of experience in 
•     Familiarity with

Selection Criteria

•     Extent and relevance of technical work experience in one or more of the main areas of Greening Agriculture’s work programmes.
•     Extent and relevance of work experience in Near East North Africa countries, especially in developing or emerging countries.
•     Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals, in English, Arabic and French. 
•     Extent of knowledge and experience to conduct (global) technical and policy analysis in topics related to Greening Agriculture’s work programmes.
•     Excellent communication skills.
•     Knowledge management experience, especially related to sustainable land and water management, restoration, Land degradation neutrality, and bioeconomy may be considered an asset.