Climate Change Research Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Bahamas is a low-lying small island archipelago which is highly susceptible to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and coral reef degradation. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Government has made substantial efforts in accessing resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As part of these efforts, the Green Climate Fund has approved the implementation of the Readiness Project "Preparation of a Strategic Framework to Reduce Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhance adaptive capacity in the Bahamas,”. The primary objective of this project is to fortify existing policy frameworks, enhance sectoral knowledge and expertise, and create a favourable environment for GCF programs. The readiness activities will furnish essential baseline data, inform future decision-making on climate change priorities, and support the development of concept notes and proposals for the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, including activities related to REDD . It is based on the theory that IF the Bahamas, develop a REDD strategy, set up a National Forest and Land use monitoring system, implement a long-term capacity building for mainstreaming data collection, analysis and produces up-to-day data from the LULUCF, then deforestation and forest degradation will be reduced because national institutions would have an effective coordination mechanism, sustainable forest management would be promoted, and climate investment plans would be funded.

The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with the Department of Environment Protection and Planning (DEPP) as executing partner, and the Foresty Unit as the main counterpart.

FAO’s Forestry Unit is engaged in supporting governments around the world to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, supporting its member countries in implementing their mitigation strategies, investment plans and forest-related Nationally Determined Contributions. FAO is also providing much support to countries in accessing carbon finance, including through support for reporting and verification of REDD reference levels and results. Through the project, the REDD Strategy and the action plan will be elaborated, addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. National priorities are to be identified based on inputs from various stakeholder groups such as farmers, Indigenous Peoples, local governments and private institutions, non-governmental organizations and inclusive of considerations of gender and vulnerable groups.

For more information about the project, please review: Preparation of Strategic Framework to Reduce Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhance adaptive capacity in the Bahamas | Green Climate Fund

Reporting Lines

The Climate Change Research Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Operations Manager FAO and under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Jamaica, as well as the Assistant FAO Representative of Programme (AFAOR Programme) in Jamaica. Technical guidance will be provided by the Climate finance REDD Specialist at FAO. The specialist will collaborate closely with relevant FAO technical units and staff, as well as national counterpart institutions and project partners, to ensure effective activities relating to the Climate and Forest Strategy formulation are in accordance with FAO rules and procedures.

Technical Focus

The primary objective of this specialist is to support the FAO Project Management Unit to provide input for the formulation of the Climate and Forest Strategy. This includes but is not limited to conducting research both primary and secondary to help elaborate the Climate and Forest Strategy. Findings will be incorporated into the draft plan and validated by stakeholders in the Land-use, Land-use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Analyze the zero draft of the Strategy to identify areas for improvement and information gaps that need to be addressed.
•     Gather and analyze secondary data on national land-use classification schemes, carbon stock data, and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation through desk research. 
•     To support the MRV Specialist and Facilitator engaging key stakeholders (50% female participation) in The Bahamas LULUCF Sector through bilateral meetings, interviews, focus groups, participatory workshops. 
•     Collect and analyze the primary data required to help elaborate the Strategy. 
•     Systematize findings to prepare a report to be incorporated into the relevant sections of the draft strategy.
•     Provide support in the development of the draft Strategy document to reflect national priorities and ensure alignment with existing climate change adaptation strategies and national policy frameworks.
•     To support the Climate Finance REDD Specialist to develop a presentation highlighting the key elements of the Strategy for internal coordination within the FAO team and for dissemination.
•     To Support the design of a national workshop or consultation
•     Provide support for logistics, organization, facilitation, and documentation of the national workshop(s).
•     To provide support and finalize the Strategy Document.
•     Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  
•     University degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Economics, or Natural Resource Management. 
•     2 years of relevant experience in forest, climate policy, natural resource management, or related fields in the Bahamas, with strong analytical and writing skills. 
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.
•     National of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Familiarity with the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector in The Bahamas, including key stakeholders, policies, and institutional arrangements, is highly desirable
•     Experience in developing national or sectoral strategies or planning documents, conducting stakeholder engagement processes, and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops is highly desirable. 
•     Good documentation, record keeping and report-writing skills.
•     Ability to communicate effectively in English.
•     Familiarity with international climate frameworks (e.g., REDD , NDCs) would be considered an asset.
•     Proven ability to plan and facilitate interviews, focus groups, and participatory workshops with diverse stakeholders (including women)  
•     Demonstrated capacity to coordinate with multiple stakeholders (communities, government, NGOs) and build effective partnerships