GEF Project Design Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that plays a crucial role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Established in 1945, FAO aims to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and enhance the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees, FAO operates in more than 130 countries, providing expertise and support to transform agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and life. The organization collaborates with various partners, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture.

Job Overview:
The GEF Project Design Specialist will be responsible for the identification, design, implementation support, and monitoring of GEF projects and programs, as well as other environmental financing mechanisms. This role requires a strategic focus on the intersection of global environmental challenges and sustainable agriculture, particularly in areas such as climate change, land management, water resources, fisheries, and biodiversity. The specialist will work closely with governments, civil society, and FAO Decentralized Offices to conceptualize and deliver strategic GEF co-financed investments that align with FAO's mission and the GEF's objectives. The position demands a high level of technical expertise and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure the successful development and execution of projects that contribute to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The GEF Project Design Specialist will undertake a variety of tasks, including providing technical expertise in the identification and design of natural resource and environmental project proposals. This involves collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that projects address country priorities and align with FAO and GEF strategic objectives. The specialist will participate in and lead multidisciplinary teams to assist in the formulation of projects for financing by the GEF Trust Fund and other environmental funds. Responsibilities also include preparing full project documentation, ensuring quality control of project concepts and documents, and advising on strategic concepts for GEF programming. The specialist will support the FAO-GEF portfolio and ensure quality control throughout the project cycle, while also performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in natural resources management, international relations, social or environmental sciences, natural resource economics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For those with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in GEF project design is necessary for Category B positions, while Category A positions require ten years of experience. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English and Spanish, as well as demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills, and the ability to write project documents and reports.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields related to natural resources management, international relations, social or environmental sciences, or natural resource economics. For consultants, a bachelor's degree is acceptable if accompanied by two additional years of relevant experience. The educational qualifications must be from institutions recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, ensuring that candidates have a solid foundation in the necessary disciplines to effectively contribute to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, with at least five years for Category B roles and ten years for Category A roles. Candidates should have relevant experience in GEF project design, particularly in areas such as biodiversity, climate change, energy, and sustainable management of land, forests, and water. Experience in preparing projects and programmatic approaches, particularly those related to GEF, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience working in diverse locations and with multidisciplinary teams, particularly in field positions.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and Spanish, as these languages are essential for effective communication and collaboration within the role. Proficiency in both languages will enable the specialist to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and contribute to project documentation and reporting effectively. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates may be recruited internationally or nationally. The specific contract duration and compensation details are not provided in the job description, but candidates should be prepared for a competitive selection process that assesses their qualifications and experience against the outlined requirements.