Senior Natural Resources Officer

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Position Title: Senior Natural Resources Officer
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, particularly through its Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB), which coordinates efforts on climate change, biodiversity, and environmental agendas.

Job Overview:
The Senior Natural Resources Officer will play a crucial role in leading the Food Systems Integrated Programme (FSIP) at the global level, which aims to catalyze nature-positive, climate-resilient, and pollution-free food systems transformations. This position involves addressing the interlinked challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation through sustainable food systems transformation. The officer will be responsible for providing leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development, and implementation of divisional programmes of work, projects, products, and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework. The role requires a deep understanding of the complexities of food systems and their impact on environmental sustainability, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Natural Resources Officer will be responsible for planning, managing, and leading highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams. This includes participating in organization-wide committees, project teams, and working groups, as well as providing technical leadership and secretariat services to technical networks and international policy bodies. The officer will analyze global and country-specific requirements to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work. They will implement and monitor programmes of work, develop evidence-based strategies, and oversee research and analytical activities to support the development of technical standards and international instruments. Additionally, the officer will provide technical and policy advice to FAO Members and support decentralized offices in their programme development and implementation. They will represent FAO at international meetings, advocate for best practices, and lead resource mobilization activities in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in natural resources, agriculture, economics, or a related field. A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in promoting integrated approaches for sustainable and resilient food systems and environmental sustainability is required. This includes experience in programme management, implementing and monitoring development cooperation projects, and working with multilateral environmental agreements and environmental vertical funds. Proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in natural resources, agriculture, economics, or a related field is essential for this position. This educational background provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge required to address the complexities of sustainable food systems and environmental challenges.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least ten years of relevant experience in the field. This experience should include promoting integrated approaches for sustainable and resilient food systems, managing development cooperation projects, and engaging with multilateral environmental agreements. Experience in field positions and working in multiple locations is highly valued, as it demonstrates adaptability and a broad understanding of global environmental issues.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across different regions.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at FAO headquarters. It is a full-time role that may involve international travel for country missions and engagements with various stakeholders. The Senior Natural Resources Officer will be expected to lead and coordinate efforts under the GEF Food Systems Integrated Programme, ensuring coherence and strategic impact at both national and global levels. The role may also involve resource mobilization activities and managing budgets and expenditures related to the programme.