Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO's 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.
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations. In this regard, FAO is helping its member countries in strengthening 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. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) family of funds is the largest multilateral provider of financing for programming among all these areas; serving as a financing mechanism for five international environmental conventions: the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Working under the guidance of the OCB-GEF Unit, FAO has been able to significantly increase its portfolio of GEF Funded projects in the recent years; including in the REU region, demonstrating continued and consistent trust from countries in FAO's support as a GEF Agency. The consultant will work to support the development and successful implementation of the GEF portfolio of projects in the REU region; in close cooperation with the OCB-GEF Unit. He/she will work closely with countries, country offices, the FAO technical officers in Regional and Sub-regional Offices and FAO partners to continue mobilizing additional resources in the REU region under the GEF-9 programming period and beyond; including implementation oversight of a selected portfolio of projects from all GEF focal areas, including complex multi-country transboundary initiatives. The consultant will also be taking the lead on coordinating the formulation process of assigned project documents, which may include providing necessary technical inputs or completion of relevant sections of the document, in accordance with donor’s expectations and related sources of information that the organization holds. In this regard, one of the consultant's key responsibilities will be to support project proponents through capacity development, guidance towards technical orientations and concept note/project document development support; as well as supporting the successful and effective project implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and closure; in compliance with GEF requirements.

Reporting Lines

The GEF Technical Specialist (GTS) will work under the overall supervision of the GEF Senior Coordinator, OCB GEF Unit, guidance of the REU GEF Regional Focal Point and direct supervision of GEF Portfolio Regional Lead for REU (GTO); in coordination with the Country Office/Field programme teams, Technical Officers, members of the Multi-disciplinary Teams and members of the GEF Coordination Unit.

Technical Focus

Providing strategic thematic advice and guidance on GEF programming priorities and approaches as they relate to FAO's comparative advantages and strategic framework; as well as, supporting identification, design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO-GEF projects and programmes. This includes strategic and policy work, with a focus on the nexus of agriculture, biological diversity mainstreaming, climate change and resilience, land, water, fisheries, forestry, natural capital and ecosystem services.

Tasks and responsibilities

Provision of technical expertise and inputs for the development, approval and delivery of projects funded by the GEF family of funds for FAO Member Nations in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework, GEF Programming Directions and country priorities.

Providing strategic thematic advice and guidance on GEF programming priorities and approaches as they relate to FAO's comparative advantages and strategic framework; as well as, leading the coordination of identification, design, formulation as well as supporting the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FAO-GEF projects and programmes. This includes strategic and policy work and providing technical inputs with a focus on the nexus of agriculture, biological diversity mainstreaming, climate change and resilience, land, water, fisheries, forestry, natural capital and ecosystem services including regional and transboundary governance dimensions. 
• Provides technical expertise and project design guidance to project proponents in the identification, development and implementation of natural resource/environmental project proposals that address country priorities and further FAO and GEF strategic objectives, programme priorities and in compliance with GEF operational policies and procedures.
• Contributes to the strategic programming of FAO's GEF work and assists in coordinating GEF teamwork for the respective region.
• Participates in, multidisciplinary teams and Decentralized Offices work to assist governments in the identification and formulation of natural resource and environmental management projects for financing by the GEF family of funds.
• Ensures quality control at all stages of the GEF project cycle in line with GEF eligibility criteria, alignment with GEF Programming Directions; ensuring relevant technical expertise is incorporated and compliance with GEF Guidelines for Program and Project Cycle Policy.
• Coordinates the preparation and approval of project proposals; supporting the drafting of proposals, through ensuring the necessary relevant technical inputs are provided.
• Assists in the management of the FAO-GEF portfolio, monitors and supervises implementation of assigned projects and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Keeps abreast of new developments, technical directions and requirements in the GEF-managed funds.
• Contributes to the preparation of the annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIR) and to FAO's reporting to the GEF Secretariat and GEF Council.
• Participates in the design and delivery of capacity development activities to FAO technical staff and team members in Decentralized Offices on the strategies, priorities and procedures, trends and issues related to GEF managed funds.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Serves as a regional FAO-GEF Technical Officer (GTO) for select projects in Europe and Central Asia Region, and serves as a member of the FAO Project Task Force (PTF) for each of the projects under her/his responsibility.
• Leads the formulation and implementation of complex GEF programmes and projects within the regional portfolio, ensuring technical quality, operational viability and due compliance with FAO policy standards and best practices, as well as convergence with GEF policies and priorities.
• Collaborates with OCB-GEF Unit colleagues to ensure projects within a regional portfolio are prepared effectively and efficiently within the specified project preparation timeline from concept approval to project document submission, review and approval and that projects are managed efficiently to achieve key milestones throughout the entire project cycle in a timely manner, including start up, first disbursement and closure.
• Provides critical technical inputs to robust regional portfolio management and the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information and FAO project information systems.
• Provides high quality products, inputs and support to meet the standards of the Project Implementation Reviews, Midterm Reviews and Terminal Evaluations.
• Identifies and materializes opportunities for synergies with other vertical funds projects and to strengthen a programmatic approach at country and regional levels in the fields of climate change, biodiversity and environment.
• Pursues co-financing opportunities and coordination with relevant work supported by other donor and development partners; including working closely with private-sector; in order to incorporate private-sector work into project design and implementation, and supports the development of blended financing instruments to mobilize additional or non-traditional resources to achieve wider-scale impact and transformation in relation to the programming directions and country priorities.

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 natural resources management, biological sciences, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, social sciences, international policy or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience. 
• Three years of relevant experience designing and implementing innovative programming at the nexus between agrifood systems and the environment, including providing policy advice and analysis, applying innovative tools and approaches in environmental, and monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. 
• Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English. Working level knowledge of Russian will be considered an advantage.

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 analytical and conceptual skills with proven ability to write project documents and papers in English and ability to analyse and integrate information and insights from multiple sectors. 
• Extent and relevance of experience and success in mobilizing resources and building a portfolio of GEF projects and/or programmes. Experience with blended finance and engagement with private sector in agri-food systems to generate co-financing for the scaling up of the projects would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply decision support and knowledge management tools and methods for integrated sustainable food systems transformation related projects and programmes. 
• Extent and relevance of experience in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and in providing clear technical and policy advice to project proponents at national, subregional and regional levels about GEF priorities, project development, and results-based management and monitoring. 
• Extent and relevance of experience with and knowledge of the procedures of GEF or other environmental funds.
• Extent and relevance of experience in preparation of innovative environmental investments in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other sectors (particularly GEF projects and programmes) and supervision of multidisciplinary projects; including experience in regional and transboundary governance dimensions. 
• Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of developing multi-focal area and/or multi-trust fund projects and programs for GEF funding or other funding. 
• Extent and relevance of experience supporting countries in accessing vertical financing in the Europe and Central Asia region. 
• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the GEF focal thematic areas (biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, chemicals and waste) and/or Integrated Programme, relevant to FAO's priorities and comparative advantages.