Biodiversity Specialist

Job Posting: 26/Nov/2024

Closure Date: 31/Dec/2024, 4:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: OCBB - Biodiversity Cluster

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration: Up to 11 months

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
- FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations._

**Organizational Setting**

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing (such as the GEF and the GCF). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards.

FAO’s work on biodiversity is guided by its Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors (Strategy) and Action Plan 2024-2027 for its implementation. To achieve the Strategy's aim and goals, FAO is committed to: (i) supporting Members, at their request, to enhance their capacity to mainstream biodiversity; (ii) integrating biodiversity into FAO policies, programmes and activities; (iii) enhancing the recognition of the important role of biodiversity and its ecosystem services for food security and nutrition, and the agricultural sectors in relevant international agreements and processes; and (iv) strengthening the coordination and delivery of its work on biodiversity.

**Reporting Lines**

The Consultant / PSA will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Natural Resources Officer, OCBB.

**Technical Focus**

Biodiversity mainstreaming in agrifood systems.

**Tasks and responsibilities**

The Consultant / PSA will assist in the delivery of FAO’s work on biodiversity at global, regional, national and local levels. The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Consultant or PSA will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. In general, depending on the specific assignment, designated tasks and responsibilities will normally include a number of the following elements:

- Support the unit in the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the FAO Strategy on mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors and its Action Plan, including the development of guidelines, best practices, training materials and technical and policy documents;
- Support the organization of internal and external meetings and events, including consultations, training, capacity building, multi-stakeholder dialogues and other technical and policy meetings;
- Support the provision of technical guidance on biodiversity in the context of FAO’s mandate;
- Develop, write, technically edit and/or proofread documents, reports and publications;
- Develop and manage communication content and products including key messages for external communication and advocacy purposes;
- Write concept notes and develop project proposals and participate in project implementation;
- Support the engagement of the Unit with the FAO lead experts and divisional