Reporting LinesThe GEF Project Design Specialist will work under the overall technical supervision of the Senior GEF Coordinator of OCB-GEF and the direct supervision of a GEF Regional Lead or the lead GEF Technical Officer, in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, and in close collaboration with the national GEF Executing Agency. Technical Focus Identification, design, implementation support and monitoring of FAO-GEF projects and programmes and those of otherenvironmental financing mechanisms. It includes strategic and policy work, with a focus on the nexus between globalenvironmental challenges and sustainable agriculture, including climate change and resilience, land, water, fisheries,forestry, biological diversity and other environmental services. Specific functions • Provide technical expertise or advice and project design guidance to project proponents in the identification, developmentand implementation of natural resource/environmental project proposals that address country priorities and further FAO and GEF strategic objectives, programme priorities and operational policies and procedures.• Participate in, and/or leads, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments and Decentralized Offices in the identificationand formulation of natural resource and environmental management projects for financing by the GEF Trust Fund, LeastDeveloped Countries Fund (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) or other environmental funds.• Ensure quality control of the GEF project concepts and full project proposals in line with GEF eligibility criteria andalignment with GEF-8 Programming Directions.• Coordinate and as required take a lead role in preparing project proposals.• Participate in, and/or leads, the design and delivery of capacity development activities to FAO technical staff inheadquarters and Decentralized Offices on the strategies, priorities and procedures, trends and issues related to GEF,adaptation and other environmental funds.• Contribute to and/or advise on strategic and programmatic concepts for consideration under GEF-8• Contribute to, and/or advise on FAO GEF implementation support including, conducting mid-term reviews of projects.• As required, supports the management of the FAO-GEF portfolio, monitors and supervises implementation of assignedprojects, and ensures quality control at all stages of the FAO and GEF project cycles• Perform other related duties as required CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements • University degree in natural resources management, environment, or natural resource economics, or in a field directly related to one or more of the following areas: biodiversity, climate change, energy, sustainable land, forest or water management.- For Consultants/PSA level C: one to five years of relevant experience in one of the technical areas listed above- For Consultants/PSA level B: at least five years of relevant experience in one of the technical areas listed above- For Consultants/PSA level A: at least twelve of relevant experience in one of the technical areas listed above- For PSA level A: at least 15 years of relevant experience in one of the technical areas listed above• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish). For PSA, working knowledge of English. FAO Core Competencies • Results Focus• Teamwork• Communication• Building Effective Relationships• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable• Extent and relevance of experience in preparation of projects and programmatic approaches (particularly GEF projectsand programmes) and in results-based monitoring and supervision of multidisciplinary projects• Extent and relevance of experience with and knowledge of the procedures of GEF and other environmental funds• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the GEF focal thematic areas (biodiversity, climate change,international waters, land degradation, sustainable forest management, sound chemicals management/persistent organicpollutants) that in turn is relevant to FAO's priorities and comparative advantages• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills with proven ability to write project documents and papers and ability toanalyse and integrate diverse information from various sources• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical expertise or advice to project proponents at national, subregionaland regional levels with regard to project development, results-based management, monitoring and evaluationplanning, and monitoring for project impact• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing) Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list 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 For more information, visit the FAO employment website Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
