Natural Resources Officer (Agrometeorology)

Organizational Setting

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) provides a cross organizational coordination role on issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing (such as the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)).

In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO’s work on socio-environmental safeguards.

The position is located in the Environment Team of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Natural Resources Officer (Agrometeorology) reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer, Environment Team Lead in OCB.

Technical Focus

Provide technical and scientific advice and programme support in agrometeorological services, including climate scenarios planning, across FAO headquarters and Decentralized Offices. The function supports OCB’s efforts in the implementation of FAO's Strategies on Climate Change 2022-2031, on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors 2024-2027, Science and Innovation Strategy and the Framework for Environmental and Social Management.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the formulation and delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the formulation and delivery of programme, projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases.
• Participates on multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Supports development and application of agrometeorological services, including climate change scenarios, across FAO’s projects and programs, including\:
• Develops and refines agrometeorological and climate change models, tools, methodologies and products.
• Utilizes and enhances technical and scientific knowledge, data and information, to address agrometeorological hazards to value chains, rural communities and across agricultural sectors.
• Supports the evidence-based design of investments and projects for developing climate-resilient agrifood systems, utilizing weather and climate change, geospatial, socio-economic and other related data and information to guide project design and the implementation.
• Collects relevant data and information support for the development of policies and interventions, including but not limited to addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, early warning and disaster risk systems and supporting compliance with environmental and social safeguards of the Organization.
• Supports organizational capacity development activities focused on climate risk screening and management, aiming to improve knowledge and operational capabilities across the Organization.
• Contributes to external and internal processes that aim for harmonization, guidance and standard setting for agrometeorological services, including early warning systems, among UN agencies and other development institutions.
• Contributes to awareness-raising activities related to agrometeorological services and climate risks screening and management.
• Represents the organization at relevant internal and external meetings, conferences, and other fora.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agrometeorology, environmental sciences, data sciences, natural resource management, physical geography, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in supporting countries on agrometeorological services, including project and programme management, liaison with governments, donors, multilateral organizations, academia, civil society organizations.
• Working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in producing and working with agrometeorological tools and methods across Organization’s work areas.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes for climate-resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, including provision of agrometeorological services to policy makers and farmers.
• Ability to analyse complex climate change, environmental and agricultural issues from a risk integrated management point of view.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing capacity development.
• Familiarity with the UN system institutions and working experience in collaborating and networking with relevant international and government institutions.
• A PhD degree is considered an asset.