PfES Technical Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization also works to ensure that the global food supply is safe and nutritious, and that natural resources are managed sustainably. FAO collaborates with various partners, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals and improve the livelihoods of people in rural areas.

Job Overview:
The PfES Technical Specialist will play a crucial role in overseeing and advising on the development of the Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services (PfES) structure in Lao PDR. This position involves providing guidance on all components of the PfES Feasibility Study Phase 2, which includes the study and proposal of mechanisms for distributing collected PfES funds back to forest ecosystem service providers. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that the PfES program aligns with the national socio-economic development strategy and the cooperation agreements between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. The role requires close coordination with various stakeholders, including government counterparts and teams from FAO and GIZ, to ensure coherence and timely execution of tasks. The specialist will also facilitate knowledge exchanges between Lao PDR and Viet Nam, focusing on best practices and lessons learned in the implementation of PfES.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be expected to carry out a range of tasks and responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting desk and interview-based reviews of existing benefit-sharing models to identify necessary adjustments for PfES; participating in field studies to gather insights from existing benefit-sharing experiences; providing information on fund structures in Viet Nam to propose a suitable structure for the EFF fund in Lao PDR; facilitating knowledge exchanges between Lao PDR and Viet Nam; and proposing a framework for the PfES pilot plan based on lessons learned from Viet Nam. The specialist will also be responsible for technical reviews and assessments of PfES frameworks, ensuring that all tasks are executed collaboratively with team members.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in natural resource management, climate finance, or a related discipline. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in forestry, natural resource management, or related fields, particularly in PES design and sustainable financing, is required. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge (level C) of English and 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 an advanced university degree in natural resource management, climate finance, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree, specifically two additional years of relevant experience in the field.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in forestry and natural resource management, particularly related to the design of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and sustainable financing mechanisms. Experience in advising governments and development agencies on forestry and climate finance is highly desirable. Familiarity with PES schemes, biodiversity offsets, or REDD finance will be considered an asset, as will experience in stakeholder engagement and policy writing.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly those relevant to the region, would be considered advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The role is expected to involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies and international organizations. The contract duration and specific seniority level are not detailed in the job posting, but candidates should be prepared for a full-time commitment to the project. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's standards and policies.