🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – National REDD+ and MRV Specialist

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National REDD+ and MRV Specialist

Job Posting: 20/Nov/2023

Closure Date: 04/Dec/2023, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : FRSIL - FAO Representation in Sierra Leone

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition : NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level : N/A

Primary Location: Sierra Leone-Freetown

Duration : 11 months (with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds)

Post Number : N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

•  FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
•  Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
•  Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
•  FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
•  All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
•  All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.

Reporting Lines

At managerial level, S/he reports to the FAOR, Sierra Leone. On technical front, the REDD+&MRV Specialist must engage, coordinate and liaise with the Regional Project Coordinator, the International REDD+ and MRV Expert, the Forest/Environment/Climate (FEC) Projects Coordinator, AFAOR, Head of Programmes and the REDD+ Focal Person appointed by the Government.

Technical Focus

The National Project REDD+ and MRV Specialist should provide support on all RED+ implementation and MRV aspects of the project. S/he must coordinate, collaborate and lead on the setting up of the MRV Unit and in the establishment of the National REDD+ Coordination Committee (NRCC). In close collaboration with the International Expert, s/he will lead on REDD+ capacity enhancement of the NRCC and MRV Unit including the development and validation of the Terms of References and ensure the legal approval and endorsement of the NRCC and MRV Unit.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the FAOR, the REDD+ and MRV Specialist will be responsible for all technical aspects of REDD+ and MRV implementation in the country. S/he must liaise, coordinate, consult and collaborate with other relevant institutions both private and public for the effective REDD+ implementation and monitoring. In close collaboration with the REDD+ Focal Person, the project will perform among others the following tasks and responsibilities: Lead on the REDD+ components implementation of the project;

•  Conduct capacity gap assessment on REDD+ and MRV
•  Establish, strengthen and ensure that the REDD+ governance structures is operationalized;
•  Lead, guide and strengthen state and non-state networks for better engagement in REDD+ process in the country; With the direct involvement of the NDA and the REDD+ Focal Person
•  Develop REDD+ Roadmap/ National REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan to guide the country approaches and readiness activities under the four pillars of REDD+
•  Contribute to the development of REDD+ and MRV training materials and deliver the much needed trainings as may be required;
•  Define institutional arrangement of the NRC Office and finalize the Terms of References (ToRs) and work plan
•  Validate the ToR for the NRC Office during a national workshop – Activity 1.1.1.2;
•  Strengthen the capacity of the NRCC and NRC Office – Activity 1.1.1.3
•  Define the institutional arrangement and ToRs of the MRV Unit and its work plan - Activity 1.1.2.1Deliver trainings for the development of the MRV system that meets the requirements of the Warsaw Framework (including FREL/FRL, Technical Annex of Results and technical assessment/analysis processes) and the establishment of NFMS under the UNFCCC - Activity 1.1.2.2 taken into account the capacity development of a measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system for REDD+ conducted in 2013 under the EU/GCCA Project for Sierra Leone;
•  Deliver 2 trainings on NFMS tools for the NFMS in the country - Activity 1.1.2.3. These trainings will help participants to understand Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS) including work on historical time series analysis/ land cover change assessment & accuracy assessment using primarily FAO Digital Public Good solutions such as the open sources tools from the Open Foris suite (e.g. Collect Earth, SEPAL, LCML/LCCS-v3), acquiring, archiving, processing, and analyzing remote-sensing data required for the establishment of a SLMS for NFMS/MRV − Forest (carbon) Inventory (NFI) − GHG inventory for the LULUCF sectors − Emission Factors (EF) and Activity Data (AD) and compilation of other data for Forest Reference Level for the development of FREL and UNFCCC reporting;
•  Conduct technical meeting to decide on the characteristics of FREL for MRV - Activity 1.1.2.4;
•  Conduct a validation workshop on the characteristics of FREL - Activity 1.1.2.5;
•  Perform other duties as may be required by the supervisor, the International Consultant and the Regional Project Coordinator

Project management and administration

•  Provide technical advice to the government and other counterpart on REDD+ and MRV and other land monitoring systems;
•  Develop project work plan
•  Develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system for project deliverables
•  Ensure proportional approach, cohesion and coordination between different components within the country
•  Work with the PMU to address obstacles and challenges in REDD+ and MRV implementation
•  Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, communication and human rights, monitoring and evaluation.
•  Ensure good coordination and collaboration with governments, beneficiaries, key stakeholders etc.
•  Represent the project in national/international fora on REDD+ and climate adaptation/mitigation.

Policy advice and knowledge management

•  Provide strategic policy advice to relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies and other partners on issues related to REDD+. d6LDMHr C0zkIc
•  Lead and direct in knowledge management and capacity strengthening at national level

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•  Master’s degree in environmental sciences, climate change, or related field that is relevant for the assignment.
•  At least 5-years’ experience in MRV system for LULUCF sector, GHG inventory for LULUCF sector, and national policy/ strategy designing
•  Demonstrated knowledge of MRV system for LULUCF sector, and REDD+ process/requirements.
•  Experience in organizing, facilitating and generating reports for workshops and interinstitutional dialogues.
•  Working knowledge of English with good communications and writing skills.
•  National of Sierra Leone.

FAO Core Competencies

•  Results Focus
•  Teamwork
•  Communication
•  Building Effective Relationships
•  Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement`

Technical/ Functional Skills

•  In depth understanding of concepts and actions on REDD+ and climate change.
•  Ability to lead and coordinate the project teams in communication, stakeholder engagement and information sharing and management.
•  Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize large amount of data into analytical and practical knowledge/ information.
•  Extensive professional experience in coordination of multicounty projects/programmes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

•  FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
•  Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
•  Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
•  For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

•  To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
•  Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
•  Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
•  Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
•  Incomplete applications will not be considered
•  Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
•  Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
•  Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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