Organizational Setting

Under the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO RAP), in collaboration with six countries of Southeast Asia, will implement a three-year project of strategic regional action entitled “Agriculture Sector Readiness for enhanced climate finance and implementation of Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture priorities in Southeast Asia”. The countries included under this collaborative project are: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The project will be implemented in close coordination with the respective NDAs and the Ministries of Agriculture through the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network focal points of each participating Southeast Asian country. This regional project will build capacity to access climate finance for the agriculture sector and create opportunities to scale promising models at national and regional levels. The project will also enable countries to share experiences and co-create proposals for sector specific climate action at the regional level with public and private sector climate and agriculture finance experts. Investment plans will focus on facilitating farmer’s access to capacity to access capacity, resources and finance to address climate change risks.

A regional project team and six country based national project teams will be established for the effective implementation of the project. While the regional project team will oversee project implementation progress and maintain communication with the rest of the PMU to ensure a smooth flow of work, the national project team will lead the implementation of the project activities in the country and coordination for the regional activities.

To support the implementation of the project activities, FAO Country Office is seeking a motivated, dynamic candidate to serve as a National Safeguard Specialist (GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme).  This position will basically home-based (Hanoi) and intermittent. The position may require some field visits together with the project team to the project coverage areas.

Reporting Lines

The National Safeguard Specialist (GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme) will work directly under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). Additionally, s/he will work under the technical supervision of the National Team Leader and Technical Officer (LTO) from FAO-RAP and in collaboration with the Regional Coordinator and International Agriculture and Climate Change Specialist and Regional Project Team based at FAO-RAP, the FAO-GCF Coordination Unit

Technical Focus

Climate change and Agriculture, Adaptation, Mitigation, Environmental and Social Safeguards, Project Management

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Safeguard Specialist is assigned with the following but not limited in the most specific duties:
•    Design safeguards approach in the proposed GCF concept note.
•    Advise the project team the list of key stakeholders to be engaged by the projectCollect data and information on possible safeguards risks based on concept or prefeasibility study.
•    Prepareinitial safeguards screening based on GCF and FAO safeguards systems.
•    Prepare preliminary safeguards analysis based on screening.
•    Recommend approach for safeguards analysis, stakeholder engagement and safeguards management measures during full proposal phase.
•    Support the development of knowledge-sharing products related to safeguard in the climate finance investments in the agriculture/rice sector to achieve climate change policy objectives and support the implementation of Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA) priorities.
•    Prepare safeguards conformance plan for safeguards outcome indicators of the project design.
•    Support to consolidate and analyze the outcomes of national, workshops and knowledge exchanges on the safeguard issues of the climate resilience project in rice subsector for Vietnam as inputs to the overall project proposal developmentPerform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    An advanced degree in climate change, natural resources management, agronomy, social or any relevant topics.
•    At least four years’ experience in project management, safeguard monioring and implementation
•    Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese.
•    National of the country or resident with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power point, Internet)
•    Knowledge of the administrative policies and procedures of the United Nations and International Organizations.
•    Effective communication skills that emphasize teamwork.
•    Knowledge and experience in institutional capacity development
•    Knowledge of and familiarity with agriculture, sustainable natural resource management and safegard screening procedures
•    Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships with central and local government institutions and civil society organizations
•    Prior experience with the UN and/or international organizations is an asset

Selection Criteria

•    Having understading a storng concept of Cancun safeguard principles, familiar with safeguards screening based on GCF and FAO safeguards systems
•    Demonstrated knowledge of international safeguard principles, specifically the Cancun safeguard principles
•    Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural sector, safeguard possible risk screening, safegard conformance planning and monitoring of climate change related project

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements