Climate Change Specialist

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works with countries and partners to promote sustainable and resilient agri-food systems and the sustainable management of agriculture, forests, land, water and other natural resources. Through its Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC), FAO provides technical and policy support to countries across the subregion, including through capacity development, policy advice, knowledge exchange and the design and implementation of programs addressing climate change, environmental sustainability and rural development. In this context, FAO supports countries in strengthening climate change mitigation and adaptation, advancing climate-smart agri-food systems, implementing national climate commitments, and enhancing the contribution of the agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sectors to climate objectives. The work encompasses climate policy and investment planning, GHG inventories and MRV systems, sustainable forest and watershed management, nature-based solutions, ecosystem resilience, sustainable land management, and access to climate finance, while promoting synergies among climate change, biodiversity and land degradation priorities. Reporting Lines The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub regional Coordinator, technical supervision of the Forestry Officer and under the operational guidance of the respective teams. The consultant will coordinate closely with the national implementing partners, respective government representatives, as well as with other relevant national and international stakeholders. All deliverables and mission reports will be submitted to the LTO for review and approval. Technical Focus The Climate Change Specialist provides technical, analytical, coordination, and advisory support to advance FAO’s work on climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, with particular emphasis on climate-smart agri-food systems, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector, greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and reporting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement (PA) Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). The Specialist supports the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into national policies, strategies and investment planning, including NDC implementation, Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system development, adaptation planning, low-emission development and sustainable land and watershed management. The Specialist also contributes to strengthening national and regional capacities in climate-resilient agriculture, forestry, livestock, land use and watershed management through technical analysis, knowledge generation, stakeholder engagement, capacity development and the dissemination of good practices. The Specialist also supports climate finance project development, including the preparation of concept notes, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and technical inputs to funding proposals for climate change adaptation and mitigation in forestry, watershed management and the AFOLU sector. Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical and analytical expertise on climate change mitigation and adaptation, including the AFOLU sector, agri-food systems, forestry, watershed management and related areas in support of FAO programs and projects.
• Support climate policy and planning processes, including analysis, tracking and review of NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), sectoral strategies, legislation and policy frameworks, and identification of opportunities for improved alignment and implementation.
• Support AFOLU sector climate assessments, mitigation and adaptation opportunities, sectoral priorities, investment needs toward resilient and low-emission agri-food and land-use systems.
• Support the analyses on the ground of the application of climate-smart practices of Agribusinesses to strengthen the contribution of the private sector to the NDCs;
• Contribute to the analysis of the national and regional policy framework related to the NDC preparation and execution
• Assist the countries in supporting/complementing institutional processes related to the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and to identify investment opportunities for decarbonization, climate resilience, and adaptation. Contribute to GHG inventory development and reporting, including development and strengthening of the MRV systems, institutional framework, methodological development, data collection and quality assessment, development of indicators and monitoring approaches, and technical inputs to reporting under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement ETF.
• Conduct GHG emissions and removals assessments for the Agriculture and Land Use, Land-use change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sectors using FAO tools, including EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) and Nationally Determined Contribution Expert Tool (NEXT), as appropriate, to support mitigation analysis. Support climate adaptation efforts through Nature-based Solutions (NBSs) with emphasis on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (EcoDRR) solutions, watershed management, ecosystem resilience, sustainable forest and ecosystem management.
• Conduct research and evidence-based analysis, including literature and policy reviews, stakeholder interviews, field assessments and synthesis of national and international data and information.
• Support stakeholder coordination and engagement with ministries, government agencies, research institutions, private-sector actors, producer organizations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of climate change and watershed management projects and investment initiatives, including NDC implementation roadmaps, concept notes, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and technical inputs to Green Climate Fund (GCF) funding proposals, with attention to national climate priorities, relevant investment criteria, climate impact potential and project-level indicators.
• Undertake field missions and technical assessments, including field data collection, validation of technical findings, assessment of climate-smart and sustainable practices, and provision of technical recommendations.
• Develop and deliver capacity-development activities, including training programs, technical workshops, webinars, guidance materials and knowledge-sharing events for national and regional stakeholders.
• Prepare and contribute to technical and knowledge products, including analytical reports, technical reports, scientific publications, policy briefs, methodologies, guidelines, presentations and other communication materials related to climate change and watershed management.
• Promote knowledge sharing and dissemination of best practices, and exchange of technical experiences related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, climate-smart agri-food systems, forestry, watershed management, sustainable land management and resilient landscapes.
• Provide technical inputs to regional and international processes, meetings, conferences, expert groups and working parties, including preparation and presentation of technical analyses and project results.
• Support coordination among FAO technical teams and partners, ensuring coherence, complementarity and integration of technical inputs across projects, programs and thematic areas.
• Provide technical review and quality assurance of studies, methodologies, datasets, reports, training materials and other project outputs.
• Undertake other related technical assignments and duty travel as required in support of FAO's climate change, forestry, watershed management and AFOLU sector. 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
• Advanced university degree (MSc) in Climate Change, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, or related discipline. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resources management, forestry, agriculture, land use, watershed management, environmental management, or other closely related fields.
• Working knowledge of English FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong technical knowledge and demonstrated experience in climate change mitigation and adaptation, with particular focus on the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector, climate-smart agri-food systems, forestry, sustainable land management and watershed management.
• Good understanding of the Paris Agreement, UNFCCC reporting requirements and the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
• Demonstrated experience in AFOLU climate assessments, including analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals.
• Experience in GHG inventories, Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems
• Experience in applying climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), sustainable ecosystem management, and watershed management.
• Demonstrated experience in climate project development including technical inputs to climate finance proposals. Experience with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and/or other international climate funds is an asset.
• Familiarity with relevant FAO climate assessment tools including EX-ACT and NEXT, is desirable.
• Strong coordination skills, including experience working with government agencies, research institutions, private-sector actors, producer organizations and international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity development and knowledge sharing, including the design and delivery of technical trainings, workshops, webinars, consultations and other learning activities.
• Knowledge and experience in integrating climate change, biodiversity, land degradation/desertification and ecosystem resilience considerations, including opportunities for synergies among the Rio Conventions, is an asset.
• Excellent communication, report writing, and training skills in English; knowledge of Russian is an asset.