Stakeholder Engagement Consultant

Organizational Setting

The primary mission of the FAO offices in the countries, led by the FAO Representative, is to collaborate with governments in the development of policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition. This includes helping to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and using their environmental and natural resources sustainably.
The project FISH-ADAPT is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed project, developed by FAO in direct response to a request by the Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL). The GoSL, acting through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance Economic Development and the Youth Economy (the GCF National Designated Authority) also requested FAO to act as Executing Entity. FISH-ADAPT will support the scale-up of previous initiatives by implementing key elements of the Saint Lucia Fisheries Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (SASAP). The project will help to make fishing safer and more productive despite a changing climate and help ensure that improved livelihoods do not require catching ever-increasing volumes of wild fish. The project establishes paradigm shifting pathways that will permanently change the operation of Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector, improve the climate resilience of over 5,000 fishers, fishworkers and aquaculture farmers, and their households (total estimated direct beneficiaries of 10,000) and improve access to finance and insurance for long-term sustainability. The benefits from FISH-ADAPT will transcend fisheries to positively impact 62,000 people working in the tourism and hospitality industry and strengthen ecosystem services provided by approximately 25 hectares of mangrove and 7 ha of coastal coral reef, and serves as a model for scale-up and further climate adaptation actions across the Caribbean and in other regions, by building stakeholder capacity, strengthening private sector linkages, and enhancing coordination mechanisms and knowledge-sharing at national and regional levels.

The project is comprised of four main components:

•     Transform and reorient fishing systems for safety in a changing climate. 
•     Implement Nature-based Solutions and sustainable fishing practices to improve. ecosystem health and fish stock sustainability in response to climatic changes.
•     Increase financial resilience and diversify incomes for fishing sector stakeholders.
•     Strengthen institutional structures for participatory climate adaptation.
These four mutually reinforcing components address key elements of the climate resilience challenge facing Saint Lucia’s fishing sector and propose adaptation solutions targeting i) the artisanal fishing vessels and traditional practices that form the core of the sector; ii) the landing sites and fish processing facilities that support those vessels; iii)the nearby seamoss farms and coastal ecosystems that serve as critical fish habitat; iv) the key role of aquaculture in increasing fish production for the island, and v) the need to mobilize credit, insurance and other financial services, and engage private actors.

For more information about the project, please review: SAP053: FISH-ADAPT: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia's fisheries communities | Green Climate Fund

Reporting Lines

The Stakeholder Engagement Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer in the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean and the Lead Technical Officer of the project, with day-today supervision and technical guidance from the Project Coordinator - International Fisheries Specialist and in close collaboration with the other members of the project team, and the staff  in the FAO SLC, HQ and RLC.

Technical Focus

The Stakeholder Engagement Consultant will lead the design, coordination, and implementation of stakeholder engagement activities across all components of the FISH-ADAPT project. The consultant will ensure that engagement processes are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and aligned with the project’s Gender Action Plan and Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct a comprehensive review of the stakeholder analysis and mapping
•     Refine and operationalize the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), considering the consultations that exist, and in coordination with the Project Management Unit (PMU) and FAO.
•     Develop tailored engagement strategies for primary stakeholders, secondary stakeholders, and vulnerable groups, ensuring the project is participatory and inclusive.
•     Be responsible for day-to-day engagement with communities, with support from the national ESS consultant and facilitate consultations.
•     Design, maintain and update stakeholder mapping and influence-interest analysis, based on available information.
•     Organize and facilitate consultations, focus groups, workshops, and feedback sessions.
•     Ensure meaningful participation of vulnerable groups through inclusive methodologies and ensure the participation of women in stakeholder engagement strategies.
•     Coordinate with ESS and Gender Specialists to align engagement activities.
•     Develop and disseminate communication materials in collaboration with the PMU.
•     Support the implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).
•     Maintain regular communication with stakeholders and document feedback.
•     Identify capacity gaps and design training sessions on stakeholder engagement principles and best practices.
•     Facilitate training and capacity building activities to PMU personnel and relevant implementing agencies.
•     Track engagement activities and stakeholder satisfaction using M&E indicators.
•     Prepare monthly and quarterly reports summarizing engagement outcomes.
•     Contribute to GCF reporting requirements and evaluations.
•     Attend occasional work or team building meetings to be held at the Fisheries Department offices of in Castries, when requested.
•     Perform other tasks as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Social Sciences, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Communication, or related field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience 
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement or rural community development.
•     Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Proficiency in stakeholder mapping tools and participatory methodologies.
•     Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
•     Proficiency in participatory approaches and methodologies
•     Strong communication and reporting skills in English 
•     Sensitivity to working with organizations, communities, and local authorities
•     Basic computer skills.
•     Ability to establish networks and alliances.
•     Leadership, initiative, creativity, responsibility, and flexibility.
•     Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Selection criteria

•     Previous experience in blue economy, climate change adaptation or resilience projects.
•     Knowledge and experience with the Saint Lucia Fishing and aquaculture context, communities and stakeholders.
•     Strong track record in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and building consensus, including interinstitutional articulations.