Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is part of consortium funded by FCDO to implement Climate Resilience and Humanitarian Response (Central, and Southern Pakistan) Component on Building Resilience and Addressing Vulnerability to Emergencies (BRAVE) in Pakistan. The consortium that includes three UN agencies-IOM, FAO, UNICEF, and three international NGOs -Acted, IRW, and CARE, offers a robust multi-sectoral and cross-thematic vehicle that brings proven expertise in resilience building, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and inclusive social protection. BRAVE is a 3-years programme, from 2025 to 2028, covering 14 districts within Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan Provinces. It consists of three outcomes including Outcome 1 | HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: Humanitarian response capacities of national and sub-national actors are improved through available and integrated multi-sectoral emergency response mechanisms; Outcome 2 | CLIMATE RESILIENCE MODELS: Climate-vulnerable communities in South Pakistan become more resilient to climate-related shocks and have improved social protection outcomes; and Outcome 3| PATHWAYS TO SCALE: National and sub-national actors have improved capacity on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience through accessing and utilizing improved frameworks, policies and learnings to scale up climate resilience and disaster responses. BRAVE initiatives under FAO will be implemented in 3 targeted districts, that is Sujawal in Sindh, Sohbatpur in Balochistan, and Muzafargarh in Punjab.

FAO Pakistan plans to recruit 3 Climate Resilience Specialists, each covering one district, we ho will be supported by field facilitators to strengthen district committees for disaster risks preparedness and response and mobilize smallholder agriculture producers to pilot climate-resilience nature-based solutions for securing fragile ecosystems and vulnerable communities to climate-related shocks.

This position is at the SBIV-SC9 level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative of Pakistan, the incumbent directly reports to the Lead Project Implementation Specialist and works in collaboration with the concerned FAO Head of Provinces in Pakistan and Units and colleagues.

Technical focus

The main responsibilities and tasks planning, coordinating, and facilitating (a) strategic studies to inform the design and implementing of BRAVE, (b) strengthening institutional arrangements for improved effective preparedness for humanitarian responses and implementation for climate resilience pilots; c) screening priority scalable climate resilience pilots on integrated climate-resilient village models, and (d) establishing knowledge management systems for providing products and services for supporting upscaling of most promising integrated climate resilient village models.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbents will undertake the following specific tasks:
•    Ensure timely and smooth implementation of the project activities within the province.
•    Establish and/or strengthen institutional arrangements for coordination and partnerships necessary for successful project execution.
•    Ensure timely preparation of workplans, budgets, periodical updates and reports
•    Prepare project implementation tools including social and environmental screening templates, project implementation process monitoring and evaluation, and reporting templates
•    Ensure internal and external necessary approvals for smooth project implementation
•    Provide technical guidance on the various studies for supporting climate-caused disaster risks preparedness and response, including but not limited to baselines, MHVRA, agro-ecological zonation, curriculum development, screening and verifying the most promising community-based climate resilience technologies and practices;
•    Provide technical backstopping in the preparation of Farmer Field Schools curriculum and training sessions.
•    Support the design and delivery of Training of Trainers programme for consortium partners, government counterparts, and downstream partners on priority climate-resilient models. The trainings will result in the preparation of integrated comprehensive community training plans with upscaling areas.
•    Ensure effective implementation of the comprehensive community training plans within the upscaling areas.
•    Coordinate the implementation of priority climate-resilient models including climate-resilient agriculture, integrated water resource management, sustainable management of forests and rangelands, and insurance schemes.
•    Coordinate the implementation humanitarian responses within the project area.
•    Facilitate knowledge management services including platforms, tools, products, on showcased integrated climate-resilient models.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in natural resources management domains including integrated watershed management, sustainable agro-ecological systems, sustainable management of forest and rangelands among others.
•    At least 10 years of relevant work experience in climate-resilience through a wide range of nature-based solutions.
•    Full proficiency in English National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Relevance of experience in United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures
•    Experience in working with multiple and diverse stakeholders and institutional arrangements including government, international development agency, private, civil society, and end-users
•    Experience in participatory planning, organizing, coordination, administration, and facilitating implementation of evidence-based projects and programmes

Selection Criteria 

•    Familiarity with local languages will be desirable.
•    Demonstrated experience in ecosystem-wide governance and management
•    Proven knowledge and skills in remote-sensing and Geographic Information System will be an address opportunity
•    Proven track record of working on similar assignments

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION