Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO’s support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO’s strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.
RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines
The Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Senior Programme Officer (Forestry)/Team Leader of Greening Agriculture.

Technical Focus
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of climate change programmes, projects, products and services, in accordance with regional priorities and objectives, the FAO Strategic Framework and related Programme Priority Areas (PPAs), and in line with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change and other environmental strategies and linked action plans and PPAs.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with regional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals, as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions
• Leads and supports development of regional programme portfolio and effective mainstreaming of climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures across policies, programmes and projects at the regional level (including those financed through climate and environment vertical funds).
• Utilizes and enhances technical knowledge, data and information relating to environmental impacts on agrifood systems and develops and refines models, tools, methodologies and products that address environmental risks applicable to value chains and across agricultural sectors.
• Provides robust technical and policy support on a range of issues, including climate change adaptation, early warning, resilience, disaster risk reduction, Loss and Damage, drought monitoring, agrometeorological services and climate security, etc. This task covers multiple hazards and integrates climate and disaster risk action across the Organization.
• Supports the evidence-based design of investments, projects and policy formulation relating to building climate-resilient agrifood systems and utilizing climate change, environmental and disaster risk assessments and management tools to guide decision-making processes.
• Supports countries in developing and implementing their international climate change commitments, such as Nationally Determined Contributions, National Action Plans, etc.
• Engages in relevant global and regional initiatives and programmes that focus on climate change, environmental risks, climate services and other relevant topics.
• Acts as the regional climate change focal point and coordinates climate change activities at regional level in line with the work led by FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB).
• Supports and contributes to efficient implementation of PPA Better Environment 1 (BE1) ‘climate change mitigating and adapted agrifood systems’ of the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Facilitates effective contribution to the implementation and reporting processes associated with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change and the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors and their respective Action Plans.
• Contributes to the coordination of FAO’s engagement in and contribution to the global and regional fora, meetings and conferences, including those relating to the UN Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
• Leads or supports regional capacity development activities focused on climate change, environmental management and climate services, ensuring these initiatives enhance knowledge and operational capabilities across the Organization.
• Manages and nurtures external partnerships, such as the Arab States Regional Collaborative Platform.
• Represents the Organization at relevant internal and external meetings, conferences and other fora.
• Actively contributes to external and internal coordination and information sharing processes that aim for harmonization, guidance and standard setting among UN Agencies and other development institutions in the relevant field of work.
• Leads awareness-raising activities related to the relevant work in the region.
• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in natural resources, environment, agriculture, climate or related topics.
• Seven years of relevant experience in providing technical inputs and policy advice on climate change adaptation/mitigation in agriculture and conducting and formulating policies, strategies and development programmes and projects.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO languages (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 project management and programme operational experience, including leading technical teams to support donors, multilateral organizations, civil society organization and policy makers on climate and environmental data and information, climate services, as well as early warning systems in agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in producing climate data and risk information across Organization’s work areas, including policies, projects and programmes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, policies (such as for National Adaptation Plans – NAPs) and projects (such as the Global Environment Facility – GEF and the Green Climate Fund – GCF) for sustainable agrifood systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing capacity development in climate change related risks.
• Familiarity with the UN system institutions and working experience in collaborating and networking with relevant international and government institutions.