Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.ย
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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 GEF and the 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 Energy-Smart Agrifood System (ESAS) Programme, within OCB, has the overall aim of increasing access to sustainable energy in agrifood systems through innovative, green energy solutions. The programme covers all aspects of energy within agrifood systems: it aims to take advantage of possibilities for producing sustainable bioenergy FROM agriculture, whilst enhancing the use of renewable energy sources FOR agriculture, as well as taking care of improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy IN agriculture. The Programme supports countries and practitioners to find viable innovative energy solutions to build back better by establishing a pathway to green growth and One Health.
ESAS work addresses the needs of energy in agrifood systems by supporting the implementation of national and regional strategies, action plans, and programmes to achieve SDG targets related to poverty reduction, food security, sustainable energy, reduction of inequality, climate action and life on land towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The programme also supports governments and other stakeholders announcing pledges to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The purpose of this call is to provide the Energy-Smart Agrifood System (ESAS) Programme with a list of qualified candidates with the following specializations:
โข ย ย Energy Smart Agrifood System Technical Specialist;
โข ย ย Energy Smart Agrifood System Electrical Engineer.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall technical supervision of the Energy Team Leader and/or FAO decentralized Offices, as appropriate. When activities are carried out in countries, the specialist will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional office.
Technical Focusย
The ESAS Programme covers all aspects of energy within agrifood systems; it aims to take advantage of opportunities for producing sustainable bioenergy from agriculture, whilst enhancing the use of renewable energy sources for agriculture and improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy in agriculture.ย
Energy Smart Agrifood System Technical Specialist will support the implementation, knowledge development, training and dissemination of the FAO Energy-Smart Agrifood System (ESAS) Programme. The incumbent will review relevant literature, collect and assess data on biomass availability, sustainable bioenergy and other renewable energy potentials. The specialist will support the production of specialized technical material related to ESAS for knowledge generation and dissemination purposes.
Energy Smart Agrifood System Electrical Engineer will review technical specifications for the solar PV electricity systems and other electricity-powered units by assessing energy needs, and site conditions, while providing cost estimates and installation requirements. The incumbent will also support procurement processes by evaluating equipment availability, reviewing bids, and ensuring compliance with technical and FAO procurement standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbents will support FAO, national counterparts and partners in FAOโs ESAS programme of work, in one or more of the following areas of work:
Energy Smart Agrifood System Technical Specialist
โข ย ย Review relevant literature, collect and assess data on biomass availability, sustainable bioenergy and other renewable energy potentials in the context of the implementation of ESAS projects and project components, including implementation of country level activities;
โข ย ย Acquire, conceptualize, produce and distribute specialized technical material related to ESAS for knowledge generation and dissemination purposes;
โข ย ย Contribute to further development or upgrading of components of the ESAS programme;
โข ย ย Write ESAS related concept notes, project proposals and other relevant documents that contribute to ESAS programme implementation;
โข ย ย Provide training on ESAS related topic and produce technical information materials;
โข ย ย Review relevant programme documents;
โข ย ย Liaise with relevant FAO units (or other organizations) relevant to the assignment to obtain guidance and advice on specific elements;
โข ย ย Participate in country missions related to ESAS projects โ from project preparation idea to final appraisal;
โข ย ย Coordinate inputs to ESAS project proposals;
โข ย ย Provide technical support for the organization of meetings and workshops;
โข ย ย Any other duties related to ESAS programme as required.
Energy Smart Agrifood System Electrical Engineer
โข ย ย Review technical specifications for the solar PV electricity components of procurement requests, including viability of the proposed system, and the review the fulfilment of the installation requirements based on the data provided, proposed location(s) and target energy needs.
โข ย ย Technically review the specifications for other electricity powered units (e.g. water pumps, freezers, cold rooms, ice making ย machines, etc).
โข ย ย Prepare solar PV electricity system designs according to the locations and target energy demands. Provide estimations of capital costs, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs, and potential capital investment costs.
โข ย ย Prepare technical specifications, drawings, simulation files, and recommendations for construction and installations of the designs.
โข ย ย Support the market availability evaluation review of the selected equipment and provide recommendations on acceptable ranges for specifications.
โข ย ย Support the selection of technology providers by reviewing and revising bid submissions from competing companies, and assess the compliance of offers with the technical specifications outlined in the tender documents and in accordance with the FAO procurement manual.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Energy Smart Agrifood System Technical Specialist
โข ย ย University degree in energy, engineering, agricultural sciences, natural resources management or a related field;
โข ย ย For COF.REG: At least three years relevant working experience (for Category C) and at least seven years (for Category B) in energy-agrifood links;
โข ย ย For PSA.SBS: At least one year relevant working experience (for Category C) and at least five years (for Category B) in energy-agrifood links;
โข ย ย Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.
Energy Smart Agrifood System Electrical Engineer
โข ย ย University degree in electrical engineering;
โข ย ย For COF.REG: At least three years relevant working experience (for Category C) and at least seven years (for Category B) on solar energy related systems;
โข ย ย For PSA.SBS: At least one year relevant working experience (for Category C) and a minimum of five years (for Category B) on solar energy related systems;ย
โข ย ย Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection Criteriaย
โข ย ย Limited knowledge (B) of a second language including French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian is considered an asset;
โข ย ย Work experience in one or more areas of work of the Energy-Smart Agrifood System (ESAS) Programme;
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in renewable energy, including renewable energy technologies, renewable energy
potential assessments, financial and economic assessment of renewable energy projects implementation of renewable
energy projects, and monitoring and evaluation of renewable energy programmes or projects; and/or
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in energy and agrifood systems (technical analysis, analysis of financial, economic,
social and environmental costs and benefits, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);ย
โข ย ย Demonstrated experience in the technical evaluation, operation, and maintenance of solar-powered systems such as solar irrigation systems, solar freezers, solar cold rooms, or solar ice makers
โข ย ย Proven experience with the installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of electrical systems, including understanding relevant codes and safety requirements
โข ย ย Experience supporting procurement processes, including developing technical specifications for tenders, evaluating proposals, and participating in vendor selection
โข ย ย Skill in using at least one photovoltaic (PV) system design software tool (e.g., PVsyst, Homer Pro, Solarius, SAM, PVsol, or similar)
โข ย ย Familiarity (base level consultant) or in-depth knowledge (middle level consultant) with the tools of FAOโs Energy-Smart Agrifood System (ESAS) Programme or energy and renewable energy assessment tools.