Natural Resources Management Specialist
Gaborone
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Gaborone
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Environment
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Natural Resource Management
- Closing Date: 2025-11-06
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in October 1945 with the objective of eliminating hunger, improving nutrition and standards of living by increasing agricultural productivity. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its 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. Accordingly, FAO complements the efforts of governments and technical agencies in programs for developing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, land and water resources. It also carries out research; provides technical assistance on projects in individual countries; operates educational programs through seminars and training centres; maintains information and support services, including keeping statistics on world production, trade, and consumption of agricultural commodities; and publishes a number of periodicals, yearbooks, and research bulletins. Headquarters is in Rome, Italy and the organization has more than 180 members with offices throughout the world.
The primary purpose of FAO country offices, led by an FAO Representative, is to support governments in formulating policies, programs, and projects aimed at achieving food security and reducing hunger and malnutrition. These offices work to enhance the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors while ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representation, and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in liaison with the relevant FAO Technical Officers in the Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) and Regional Office for Africa (RAF). The incumbent will provide direct support to the implementation of field projects related to the development of Natural Resources Management and Climate Change Resilience.
Technical Focus
• Sustainable Land Management
• Integrated Water Resources Management
• Forestry Management
• Ecosystem Services
• Climate Resilience, Mitigation and Adaptation
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following duties\:
• Conduct situational analysis and literature review of climate change effect on Botswana socio economic activity and adaptation and mitigation needs
• Conduct institutional capacity gaps in mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaption
• Profile Botswana current natural resources and climate-related policies, strategies, plans, reports and action plans conducting gap analysis in mainstreaming climate action.
• Based on good practices develop guidelines for adoption of good practices by national institutions in ongoing projects and programmes.
• Prepare an engagement plan with concerned agencies and stakeholders.
• Assist in discussions to define strategic vision, objectives and targets of the Botswana Government Climate Change
• Review risk management strategies related to fraud prevention and detection, current financial risk management tools including risk assessment, identification, mitigation and management strategies, reporting and monitoring, governance and oversight policies procedures
• Evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of controls (both financial and non-financial) around the grant making processes.
• Evaluate risk management systems and advise on enhancements to align with GCF requirements.
• Prepare and submit reports on progress of sub programme’s implementation at national level as well as the final report,
• Assist other existing agricultural development and social-economic programmes relevant to the natural resources management and climate change aspects that may bring collaborations and partnerships;
• Support resource mobilization efforts by preparing concept notes;
• Perform duties as advised by the Budget Holder and the Lead Technical Officer in relation to the achievement of the project objectives.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING\:
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, climate change, development studies or a related field
• Five (5) years of experience in natural resource management, particularly in the context of agricultural and forestry development or related field
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Botswana or resident of the country with valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience working on projects in Southern Africa preferably in Botswana or similar contexts is desired.
• Excellent English writing skills and consolidating complex information.
• Working Experience within the UN will be an added advantage Good analytical, presentation and training skills.
• Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.