Senior Natural Resources Officer
Organizational Context
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB coordinates organizational efforts, serves as a focal point for major environmental agreements, and assists member countries in tackling these interconnected issues. It facilitates access to climate and environmental financing and hosts key programs like the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The OCB-GCF Team within OCB specifically coordinates the development and management of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) portfolio.
Job Purpose
This role is responsible for managing and enhancing partnerships with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), including the development and oversight of their respective portfolios in alignment with FAO's mandate and climate change strategy. The position requires leadership and technical policy expertise to plan, develop, and implement divisional work programs, projects, products, and services. Key functions include leading multidisciplinary teams, analyzing global and country-specific requirements, implementing and monitoring programs with evidence-based strategies, conducting research, providing technical and policy advice to members, and representing the organization at international forums. Resource mobilization and the development of strategic partnerships are also critical aspects of this role.
Responsibilities
The Senior Natural Resources Officer will manage FAO’s corporate partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Fund to Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), including resource mobilization efforts. This involves participating in relevant boards and strategic meetings, and overseeing periodic reviews of project pipelines and implementation. The role includes managing, coordinating, implementing, and reporting on FAO's GCF work in collaboration with technical units and decentralized offices. A key responsibility is overseeing the development and providing final quality assurance for all documents submitted to the GCF and FRLD, ensuring alignment with FAO’s corporate priorities and climate change strategy. The officer will coordinate with decentralized offices on regional GCF and FRLD project implementation, lead implementation support for GCF and FRLD projects, and ensure appropriate mitigation and adaptive management responses are in place. Contributions to FAO corporate reporting, preparation of guidance documents, and identification of new strategic partners are also essential. The role encompasses overseeing capacity development activities and accountable management of human resources and funds, ensuring compliance with donor and organizational standards.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in climate change programme management with an international organization is essential. Experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is also required. Demonstrated results-based management capabilities, including managing programs, projects, budgets, and human resources efficiently, are necessary.
Skills
The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of climate change developments and relevant international forums. Proven experience in preparing large-scale projects and related technical/policy documents in climate action and agrifood systems is crucial. Strong skills in leading multidisciplinary teams for complex, cross-sectoral analysis and program components at country, regional, or global levels are required. Demonstrated success in partnership management, resource mobilization, and engagement with international funding partners is essential. Experience in working with GCF project formulation and/or management is considered a strong asset. Working knowledge of a second FAO official language, preferably French or Spanish, is desirable.