Senior Natural Resources Officer (Climate Change)

Organizational Context

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) coordinates responses to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. It serves as a focal point for major multilateral environmental agreements like UNFCCC and CBD. OCB assists FAO Members in addressing food security, climate change, and environmental challenges, facilitating access to climate financing. It also hosts key programmes like GIAHS and leads Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change and Bioeconomy. The position is located in the Climate Change team at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Job Purpose

The Senior Natural Resources Officer drives climate action and mainstreaming across agrifood sectors, including crop, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry. This role provides leadership and technical policy expertise for planning, developing, and implementing departmental programmes, projects, and services aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework. Key functions involve leading multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership, analyzing global requirements, implementing work programmes, conducting research, offering policy advice to Member countries, and supporting capacity development. The officer also represents FAO at international meetings, fosters strategic partnerships, and leads resource mobilization efforts to advance climate objectives.

Responsibilities

The officer coordinates the implementation of FAO's Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, developing climate-related frameworks for agrifood systems. This includes planning, monitoring, and reporting climate action under OCB's workplan and the Programme Priority Area on Climate Change, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies. The role strengthens FAO's institutional capacity through knowledge management and cross-sectoral collaboration, supporting headquarters and field offices. It involves coordinating FAO's engagement in international climate agendas, such as UNFCCC COPs, and translating global climate policy into operational guidance for country-level implementation. The officer represents FAO in international fora, prepares technical and policy documents, and strengthens global partnerships. Furthermore, the role ensures technical quality of climate programmes, supports Members in integrating climate change into national policies (e.g., NAPs, NDCs), and contributes to designing and implementing climate initiatives, including project formulation and resource mobilization.

Work Experience

Candidates must have ten years of relevant experience in international organizations, public or private sector institutions, focusing on climate action and natural resources management. Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language is also required.

Skills

Essential skills include work experience in multiple locations, particularly field positions. Proven ability to produce high-quality climate change technical/policy outputs, including guidance notes and tools, is crucial. Strong knowledge of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and their alignment with UNFCCC/Paris Agreement processes, is required. Demonstrated capacity to integrate climate action across agrifood systems and link to environmental priorities is key. Success in resource mobilization, leadership in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, results-based management capacity for multi-partner programmes, and ability to manage multi-stakeholder processes and intergovernmental meetings are also vital.

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