Programme Development Specialist (Halting Deforestation)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

The Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO’s work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with member countries, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues, and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects analyses and disseminates information on the world’s forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products. 
In this context, the FAO Forestry Division’s REDD /Halting deforestation, degradation and emissions (HaltDDEf) Team provides, in collaboration with other teams and external partners, capacity development support to countries on REDD processes (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) and other aspects of conservation to keep forest standing. In this context, FAO supports countries (including through the flagship UN-REDD Programme) in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific to achieve the following outcomes: 
•     Design and adopt national contributions to the mitigation of climate change through REDD , including the provision of additional social and environmental benefits, and in conformity with the UNFCCC’s REDD safeguards; 
•     Implement national contributions to the mitigation of climate change through REDD with the necessary institutional arrangements in place; 
•     Access Results Based Payments, mobilize finance and re-invest the proceeds to achieve new emission reductions. 
•     With capacity development support and technical expertise from FAO, countries are able to use REDD work as a catalyst to deliver on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) towards climate change mitigation and adaptation put forward by each Party to the UNFCCC following the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the Senior Forestry Officer (Team Leader, HaltDDEf team), in coordination with FAO regional and country teams, and in close collaboration with other units within the Forestry Division (NFO) and beyond. 
The position sits under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of FAO Forestry Division (NFO), and works in close collaboration with the International consultant on REDD policy and economics and FAO UN-REDD Management Group member, Team’s regional and thematic focal points, as well as other key colleagues in the HaltDDEf, Forest Monitoring and Data Platforms Team or other relevant teams. The incumbent will work in close collaboration and liaison with FAO colleagues as well as UNEP, UNDP, UN-REDD Secretariat personnel as applicable.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical support the team in in strategic development, programme management, and resource mobilization efforts.

Tasks and responsibilities

Programme development and support to management

•     Lead / support the development of global, regional and country-level project proposals to reduce and reverse deforestation and contribute to agrifood systems transformation, in collaboration with relevant technical colleagues.
•     Ensure new programmes are built on technically-robust design and include strong theory of change, feasible monitoring and evaluation approaches, and maintain and strengthen alignment with FAO’s core mandate and strategic framework.
•     Design and implement internal processes and systems to strengthen programmatic delivery and progress tracking tools

Resource mobilisation

•     Identify, analyse, and support engaging with relevant donors (e.g., bilateral ODA agencies, climate funds, foundations, and philanthropic organizations) to assess opportunities and initiate or strengthen partnerships.
•     Lead Team internal quarterly donor screening and pipeline reviews, maintain an up-to-date shared dashboard to identify, prioritize and track emerging funding and partnership opportunities in collaboration with relevant colleagues.
•     Lead and contribute to producing promotional resource mobilization materials (concept notes, project proposals, short articles or stories highlighting REDD / halting deforestation results and impact for donor audiences). 
•     Support the design of donor engagement strategies, including talking points, presentations, and partnership briefs for senior leadership.

UN-REDD Programme FAO internal management

•     Support as needed with programme management of FAO led activities including tracking project activities, internal communications processes and strategic decision making
•     Support knowledge management and communications activities to enhance the visibility of REDD /halting deforestation results and impact tailoring to donors’ narrative. Perform any other duties related to strategic planning and implementation of REDD / Halting deforestation, degradation and emissions actions as needed

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•     Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes. 
•     All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en    
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia    
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en   
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en    
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm    
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en       
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•     Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forestry, natural resource management, communications, business management or related areas. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forestry, natural resource management, communications, business management or related areas.
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in programme development, fundraising, project management, communications in climate mitigation projects, REDD or broader halting deforestation processes, and/or national and international climate mitigation targets. 
•     Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Considerable recent experience navigating evolving international donor landscapes for international development programmes and multilateral organisations.
•     Demonstrable experience of securing multi-country projects ideally within the forestry, climate, agriculture, or land use domain.
•     Knowledge of sustainable commodities value chains, forest management, climate finance is advantageous
•     Project management qualification desirable.
•     Knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset.

Selection Criteria

•     Relevant academic qualifications, certifications, and professional experience.
•     Track record in generating income in complex donor landscapes for global climate/ environmental programmes.
•     Demonstrable expertise in proposal development, coordination, and organisational skills.
•     Experience navigating multi-cultural, dynamic and politically-evolving contexts.