Young Professional Officer (Climate Change)

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Africa (SFC), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), and Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects in the region.

RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The regional office supports regional policy dialogues on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resources mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer. He/she will work in collaboration with other technical officers and members of the multi-disciplinary teams at HQ, regional, subregional and country level, as well as relevant programme/projects.

 

Technical Focus

Support the implementation of FAO’s Strategy on Climate Change (2022-2031) and its Action Plan in Africa by providing technical expertise on climate change in agrifood systems. This includes advancing climate-related policies and investments, supporting National Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation, climate finance, carbon markets, loss and damage, and energy transitions, while contributing to project development, knowledge generation, capacity building, and dissemination of climate change initiatives and lessons learned across the region.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.

• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.

• Provides technical support to various projects.

• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.

• Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Assists in the provision of technical support and backstopping for the design and the implementation of FAO's projects and programmes aimed at scaling up climate action in agrifood systems at regional and national level in a gender-sensitive and inclusive manner.

• Supports the analysis of trends in public and private climate and environmental finance of relevance to agrifood systems.

• Contributes to the identification and application of relevant tools to inform carbon-neutral and climate-resilient  investment design to enhance  the implementation of the NDCs, climate action and access to climate finance.

• Supports in monitoring implementation and reporting progress on FAO’s Strategy on Climate Change (2022-2031) and its Action Plan in Africa.

• Supports the development of new FAO data, methods, tools and services for climate change in agrifood sectors.

• Supports establishing and maintaining partnerships and mobilizing resources, including with vertical funds (Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility Fund to Respond to Loss and Damage or/and Adaptation Fund), private sector, bilateral and multilateral sources.

• Supports the development and review of technical documents related to different areas of climate change and deliver relevant training programmes.

• Provides support in convening meetings with relevant stakeholders and responsible representatives from government, civil society, regional and international bodies, private sector, and academia.

• Drafts reports in accordance with governments' and financing partners' requirements for the supervisor's review.

• Performs any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in climate change, environmental engineering and sciences, natural resources management, or agriculture and forestry with focus on climate change, biological sciences or a related field.

• One year of relevant experience in development projects in the field of climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, preferably in relation to agrifood systems.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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.

• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, private sector, as well as donors and government institutions.

• Intermediate  knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of French is considered an asset.

• Ability to analyse and understand policy and governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex climate and natural resource management issues.

• Extent and relevance of experience related to climate finance and carbon markets, climate and environmental investments in the agriculture sectors and rural development.

• Knowledge and application of tools to inform and shape environmental and climate investments in the agriculture sectors and food systems.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific and policy documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.

   

NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.