Climate Risk and Agrometeorologist Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) is a vital part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that focuses on addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Established to provide a cross-organizational coordination role, OCB serves as the focal point for major multilateral environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The office plays a crucial role in assisting FAO Members in tackling the interconnected issues of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, climate change, and environmental degradation. OCB also facilitates access to climate and environmental financing through initiatives like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Additionally, OCB hosts several important programs, including the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The office leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, making it a key player in promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and environmental management.

Job Overview:
The Climate Risk and Agrometeorologist Specialist will be an integral part of the Environment Team within OCB at FAO Headquarters. This position is designed to provide technical support in climate services, focusing on hydrometeorological and agrometeorological assessments, as well as impact assessments related to climate risk management in agri-food systems. The specialist will work closely with FAO headquarters and decentralized offices to assess climate risks and develop strategies for climate change adaptation in member states. The role requires a deep understanding of climate impacts on agriculture and the ability to analyze various data sources to inform policy development and project formulation. The incumbent will also be responsible for improving access to weather monitoring and forecasting services, thereby enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to climate variability and extremes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Climate Risk and Agrometeorologist Specialist include preparing technical documents related to hydrometeorological and agrometeorological assessments, analyzing technical, social, economic, and environmental data to characterize climate impacts on agriculture, and providing technical support for the development and implementation of climate risk assessment tools. The specialist will also support multi-hazard agricultural climate services, participate in relevant meetings and technical trainings, and promote climate risk management across FAO's work areas. Additional responsibilities include transferring risk knowledge to FAO country/regional offices and member states, conducting technical analyses related to climate services, and drafting guidelines and manuals. The specialist will be expected to work independently, produce quality outputs, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as agrometeorology, meteorology, climate science, agriculture, hydrology, crop science, soil science, animal science, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical geography, remote sensing, statistics, or data science. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required. A minimum of one year of relevant experience is required for CAT C positions, five years for CAT B, and ten years for CAT A. Proficiency in English is mandatory, with additional language skills considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as agrometeorology, meteorology, climate science, agriculture, hydrology, crop science, soil science, animal science, forestry, fisheries, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical geography, remote sensing, statistics, or data science. For those applying as consultants, a bachelor's degree is acceptable with additional professional experience. The educational qualifications must be from institutions recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of one year of relevant experience for CAT C positions, five years for CAT B, and ten years for CAT A. This experience should be in areas such as assessing climate impacts on agriculture, climate services, climate risk assessment, and risk management applied to agri-food systems. The level of experience required varies based on the category of the position being applied for, with more senior roles requiring significantly more experience in the field.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at Proficiency Level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, familiarity with other languages such as Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is considered an asset, particularly for candidates who may have limited knowledge at Intermediate Level B. Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish are particularly valued.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment. The specific contract duration and seniority level have not been detailed in the job posting. Candidates should be prepared for a role that may involve travel and collaboration with various stakeholders across different regions. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job ad.