Resources Officer

Food and Agriculture Organization

Rome, Italy

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. OCB assists FAO Members in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Office also serves as the focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to UNFCCC, CBD and topics on bioenergy as well as on Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems, ecosystem restoration and green and climate resilient agriculture.

The position of Natural Resources Officer is located in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Team of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines:

The Natural Resources Officer reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer of the GCF Unit.

Technical Focus:

The Natural Resources Officer will work as part of the OCB-GCF Team. FAO has established a GCF Team within OCB (OCB-GCF Team) to coordinate the development and management of the GCF portfolio. The OCB-GCF Team works in close collaboration with FAO Decentralized Offices and technical staff to identify, develop and deliver high-quality climate investment projects that respond to countries' priorities as defined in their national climate and sectoral policies and that deliver the transformational change sought by the GCF.

Key Functions:

  • Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
  • Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
  • Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
  • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
  • Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
  • Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and online tools.
  • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
  • Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions:

  • Supports development of and provides quality enhancement for GCF readiness, Project Ideas, Concept Notes and Funding Proposals, working closely with other relevant FAO staff involved.
  • Provides Quality Assurance on all GCF related documents before forwarding to GCF Secretariat.
  • Provides funding liaison functions during formulation and implementation of Funding Proposals and Readiness grants.
  • Contributes to the drafting or updating of GCF related guidance and training materials for FAO internal use and for countries and partners.
  • Participates in delivering GCF related training at headquarters and in the regions.
  • Provides guidance on key sources of information, reports and databases at national and international level that project teams should draw upon when developing their climate rationale for GCF projects and programs. 
  • Identifies over time good practice project documents (project ideas, concept notes, and funding proposals) that can serve to guide other project teams.
  • Supports coordination with other partners such as Rome Based Agencies and/or climate finance donors such as the GEF and the Adaptation Fund.
  • Participates in missions to support project formulation and implementation when needed.     

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

  • Advanced university degree in natural resources, climate change, social sciences, agriculture or a related field.
  • Five years of relevant experience in natural resources management, including on climate change adaptation and mitigation. 
  • Working knowledge of English (proficient - level C) and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2202590