The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is on the hunt for a Climate Change Specialist to join their dynamic team in Rome, Italy, for a life-changing 11-month contract. But this is more than just a job; it's a chance to be at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation in agrifood systems.
FAO's Mission: At the heart of FAO's mission is ensuring food security for every person on the planet. This involves tackling the complex web of climate change, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability challenges.
Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB): The OCB is FAO's powerhouse for environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). They coordinate efforts across the organization and help FAO members access crucial climate and environmental funding through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Flagship Initiatives: OCB spearheads groundbreaking projects like the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Climate Change Team: The selected Climate Change Specialist will join the OCB's Climate Change Team, offering policy guidance and technical support to FAO members on a range of critical issues, including mitigation, adaptation, transparency, loss and damage, and climate finance.
Key Responsibilities: This role is all about making a tangible impact. The specialist will support the implementation, knowledge development, training, and dissemination of FAO's climate change initiatives, focusing on agrifood systems. They will work on projects and programs at both global and country levels.
Who Should Apply?
- Education: Advanced degrees in climate change, economics, environmental sciences, agrifood systems, or related fields are preferred. Bachelor's degree holders need two extra years of experience.
- Experience: Minimum 1-10 years of relevant experience, depending on the category, in climate change and food systems, including policy analysis, risk assessment, climate finance, project implementation, and social inclusion.
- Language Skills: English proficiency is a must, with French or Spanish skills being an advantage.
Application Process: Aspiring specialists should submit applications via the FAO recruitment portal, including a letter of motivation and a detailed profile showcasing their qualifications and experience.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. Direct inquiries to the official organization, and avoid sending applications to GSO. Due to high email volume, responses may not be guaranteed.
And here's the part that might spark some debate: is it fair to require such extensive experience for a non-staff consultancy role? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are these requirements a necessary evil to ensure the best talent is selected, or could it deter promising candidates with fresh perspectives?
