Climate Change Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO operates in over 130 countries, employing thousands of staff members who work collaboratively with governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve its goals. In Egypt, FAO's country program is aligned with national strategies and priorities, focusing on sustainable agricultural development, climate change adaptation, and food security, among other areas.

Job Overview:
The Climate Change Specialist position is crucial for supporting the implementation of FAO's climate change portfolio in Egypt. This role involves providing technical expertise on climate change and agrifood systems, focusing on areas such as climate change adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity, and gender linkages. The specialist will work closely with national counterparts and partners to advance the climate change program of work, which includes developing concept notes, conducting economic and market analyses, and facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives. The position requires a proactive approach to integrate climate change considerations into national agricultural development plans and policies, ensuring that FAO's initiatives align with Egypt's national strategies and contribute to sustainable development goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Climate Change Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical guidance to integrate climate change and biodiversity considerations into national and regional agricultural development plans, policies, and investment strategies.
• Conducting technical analyses of nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, and national adaptation plans, as well as projects funded by GEF and GCF.
• Supporting climate policy processes, including mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and transparency mechanisms.
• Engaging the private sector in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts through innovative financing mechanisms and sustainable business models.
• Assessing climate vulnerability and risk in agricultural systems and providing recommendations for policy and programmatic interventions.
• Analyzing ongoing initiatives and documenting lessons learned, good practices, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Developing project concept notes, proposals, and technical knowledge materials that contribute to ongoing and future projects.
• Creating training materials and capacity-building programs for various stakeholders, including policymakers, technical experts, farmers, and private sector actors.
• Participating in field missions and technical workshops as needed. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A university degree in Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Environment Management, Natural Resources Management, or related fields.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in climate change and natural resource management projects and programs.
• Working knowledge (level C) in both English and Arabic languages.
• Candidates must be nationals of Egypt or residents of the country with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should possess FAO core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Environment Management, or Natural Resources Management. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of climate change and its impact on agricultural systems and natural resources.

Experience:
The position requires at least three (3) years of relevant experience in climate change and natural resource management projects and programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of working on climate change analysis and policy, as well as experience in incorporating climate change considerations into agricultural and natural resource management investment programs and projects. Experience with medium and large-scale climate programming, particularly for GEF, GCF, and donor funding, is preferred.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (level C) of both English and Arabic languages. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government officials, international partners, and local communities. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Cairo, Egypt, and is likely to be a full-time role. The Climate Change Specialist will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including government ministries and international donors, to advance FAO's climate change initiatives. The role may involve field missions and participation in technical workshops, requiring flexibility and adaptability. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards, and candidates should be prepared to work within the framework of FAO's organizational culture and values.