Institutional and Sectoral Coordinating and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. Sierra Leone's initial National Adaptation Plan (NAP), developed in 2021, identified adaptation priorities and vulnerabilities but requires a full NAP informed by detailed assessments. To address this, FAO, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), launched a NAP readiness project approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This project aims to strengthen climate-risk management in key sectors across Sierra Leone.
Job Purpose
The Institutional and Sectoral Coordinating and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will be instrumental in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive framework for National Adaptation Planning (NAP) in Sierra Leone. This role involves creating a framework document and an operational manual that define institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, capacity gaps, and stakeholder roles. The specialist will also be responsible for operationalizing these documents through strategic stakeholder engagement, facilitating meetings, and ensuring effective collaboration among government institutions, NGOs, research bodies, local communities, and the private sector to enhance climate adaptation efforts.
Responsibilities
The specialist will support the development of a framework document outlining institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, capacity gaps, and necessary actions for climate adaptation planning. This includes gathering input from diverse stakeholders such as government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and local councils. The role involves providing guidance on the structure, composition, and membership criteria for the National Adaptation Committee (NAC) and drafting its Terms of Reference (TOR). Additionally, the specialist will contribute to detailed operational procedures, including decision-making processes and reporting lines, and support the EPA and NAC in establishing stakeholder mapping and engagement mechanisms. Facilitating validation workshops and developing comprehensive training materials to address identified gaps in stakeholder coordination and engagement are also key responsibilities.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of experience is required in sectoral and institutional coordination related to climate change adaptation interventions and projects, coupled with proven experience in stakeholder engagement.
Skills
Essential skills include strong analytical, strategic planning, and coordination abilities. Excellent communication and facilitation skills are crucial for working with diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, and the private sector. Fluency in English is required, with knowledge of local languages being an asset. Experience in managing projects/programmes and specific experience in institutional and sectoral coordination mechanisms, NAP GCF Readiness, and stakeholder mapping and engagement are highly desirable.