National Climate Change Planning Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)•Samoa, AS

About The Position

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO 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. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the FAO work in the Pacific and covers 14 - Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Tokelau (one Associate Member). SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development priorities, in which gender, climate change adaption, and anticipatory action are important cross-cutting issues. SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion wide institutions and entities. The National Climate Change Planning Specialist will support the development of Samoa’s Readiness Needs Assessment (RNA), NDA and stakeholder capacity building, Country Programme process, visioning and co-design process, prefeasibility studies, and the development of a project concept note for a potential GCF project in Samoa to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The National Climate Change Planning Specialist will be responsible for ensuring alignment between the project and national climate change planning processes. They will also ensure regular communications between relevant government departments and will be responsible for working alongside the NDA throughout project implementation, supporting NDA capacity.

Requirements

University degree in climate change, environmental science, agronomy, horticulture, agriculture engineering, social science, or closely related field.
Minimum of three years of proven experience in climate change adaptation and planning, policy and programs.
Working Knowledge of English.
National of Samoa.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience in nutrient management and chemistry.
Extensive experience in system design and engineering.
Extensive experience in environmental control.
Extensive experience in crop and substrate management.
Extensive experience in facility operation and data management.
Experience working with international organizations and managing climate change and health projects, including proposal writing and reporting.
Managing projects and developing proposals; developing capacity building materials; conducting health vulnerability and adaptation assessments; and working with communities to build resilience to climate-related health risks.
Good knowledge of situation in Samoa and familiarity with Pacific Small Island Developing States.
Experience working with a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials in small and vulnerable states (SIDS and LDCs).
Experience in working in Samoa or Pacific region will be an advantage.
Strong writing skills and language proficiency.
Strong knowledge of water chemistry, plant nutrition, greenhouse climate control, and agribusiness modelling.
Experience in environmental health, including a significant portion (at least 3 years) specifically focused on climate change and its health implications.
Demonstrated understanding of machinery of government and government policy and planning processes.
Good level of analytical, communication, writing skills including ability to write concise technical reports in English is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Collect, review, and analyse Samoa’s policy and regulatory frameworks on climate change and of relevance to the Readiness project.
Collect and organize analyses on engagement and opportunities for Samoa’s private sector in climate action, and experiences and best practices from other countries to crowd-in / encourage private sector climate investments.
Support the Technical Advisor and Administration and Procurement Specialist to draft and finalize concept notes and terms of reference (TOR) for vendors and sub-contractors who will support the implementation of specific GCF Readiness activities.
Contribute to the co-design and visioning process, including the development of a concept note for a GCF project on agrifood system and water.
Monitor and report on developments relating to climate change and GCF projects and ensure that Readiness project activities adequately align and coordinate with relevant initiatives.
Draft Back-to-Office Reports (BTORs) and meeting / workshop proceedings.
Support the implementation of the results framework, and the monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.
Gather and synthesize literature and supplementary information as required.
Support the process of GCF Readiness project implementation, including periodic reporting to the TA and LTO on implementation of activities.
Support the further development of project activities and implementation plan.
Coordinate and liaise with the NDA Secretariat (National Designated Authority) at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, as well as other key stakeholders.
Draft meeting minutes.
Support the planning and organization of stakeholder meetings / workshops / consultations for the development of GCF Readiness Needs Assessment (RNA) and Country Programme.
Support capacity development workshops / events to train government officials and representatives from other government entities.