Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for leading FAO’s efforts to achieve food security for all in the Central Asian region. FAO’s three main goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and in close liaison with FAOSEC implements the project “Improving the capacity of Turkmenistan to access climate finance through capacity building and strategic frameworks”. The objectives are to enhance the capacity of the government of Turkmenistan to facilitate the access to climate finance and to improve compliance with the national targets under the Paris Agreements while promoting cross-sectoral collaboration and the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the integrated manner.
Since 2012, Turkmenistan championed the creation of a Climate Change Technology Centre for the Central Asia region to be based in Ashgabat. In the last years its advocacy has intensified, as reflected in UNGA documents and final documents of meetings of Central Asian Presidents. Turkmenistan received the endorsement of the other Central Asian countries to establish such a Regional Centre in Ashgabat. The proposed Centre would focus its activities on both climate change adaptation and mitigation, aiming to become a regional hub for the promotion of climate technology transfer for Central Asian countries. The Centre will attract support from UN agencies, funds, and programmes.
Turkmenistan has reached out to FAO and UNEP for technical assistance and fund-raising support to establish the Centre. The process of establishing the Centre is supported by the Office of the UNRC in Turkmenistan during the preparatory period. 
While the proposed Center holds significant potential for supporting climate-resilient technologies and attracting climate finance in the region, the formal engagement with the Centre as an institution will be considered once it has been legally and operationally established. The assignment therefore focuses on the preparatory phase: clarifying the legal and institutional foundations for its establishment and potential UN affiliation. During this phase the project will involve relevant stakeholders associated with the Center to leverage existing expertise and knowledge, monitor developments and support awareness efforts, including participation at the international events and preparing the Action Plan via Activity 1.3.2 b Promote the Regional Center for Climate Technology at the international level and prepare the Action Plan.
To support the implementation, FAO is seeking a motivated, dynamic Legal and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist who will support preparatory work for the design and development of the Center, including the detailed information of tasks and responsibilities below.

Reporting Lines

The Legal and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will report primarily to the project’s FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) - Natural Resources Officer SEC (Climate Change) and Budget Holder (BH), both based at FAO-SEC and will work under technical supervision of Legal Officer (LEGN) for the legal related tasks specified below.

Technical Focus

Policy and Governance, Climate change and Development, Adaptation, Mitigation, Agriculture, Programme Management.  

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks, under the orientation of and in close discussion with the FAO Lead Technical Officer and under technical supervision of the FAO Legal Officer (LEGN), where required:
•     Develop a workplan for the assignment including the activities, division of responsibilities, stakeholder engagement strategy, timeline, milestones to establish the Centre.
•     Coordinate with stakeholders and manage communication.
•     Map existing institutions, networks, and initiatives related to climate change technologies and identify stakeholders to be engaged and consulted to deliver the assignment.
•     Undertake approximately two missions to Ashgabat to conduct stakeholder engagement activities, such as interviews, meetings and one consultation workshop.
•     Prepare and conduct consultations and interviews with key stakeholders (government officials, local experts, potential partners).
•     Conduct a detailed analysis of the current situation and challenges related to the establishment of the Center in Turkmenistan including relevant regulatory and policy frameworks.
•     Prepare a comparative review of governance models for similar UN‑affiliated or intergovernmental centres.
•     Conduct a legal analysis of national laws relevant to establishing the Centre.
•     Draft and structure the feasibility study, integrating legal, institutional, governance, and operational analysis
•     Develop recommendations on thematic priorities for the Centre to address identified needs.
•     Define options for the Centre's governance framework and related governance policies and procedures, including potential affiliation to the United Nations and steps that would be necessary to establish it.
•     Ensure proposed governance structure meets stakeholder needs and supports strategic goals.
•     Compile the final report (including an executive summary) that lays out the strategic objectives and functions of the Centre, a roadmap for the Centre's establishment.
•     Develop a detailed presentation on the findings and results/outcomes of the assignment.
•     Prepare interim reports and updates.
•     Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in legal advisory services, climate change, partnership development, or international development.
•     Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Laws, International Relations, Environmental Science, Climate Policy, Engineering, Development Studies, or related field or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.
•     Working knowledge of English and Russian required (C1.)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Proven experience conducting feasibility studies, strategic planning, or institutional assessments,
•     Familiarity with UN frameworks and climate finance mechanisms (e, g., GCF, CTCN, GEF, etc.).
•     Demonstrated understanding of regional dynamics and stakeholders in Central Asia.

Selection Criteria

•     Strong analytical and research skills.
•     Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation experience