Bioeconomy Specialist

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• 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 FAOs 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

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

Organizational Setting

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 Global Environment Facility-GEF and the Green Climate Fund-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 FAOs work on environmental safeguards.

The specialist will work for the Environment Team which is located in OCB at FAO Headquarters.

Reporting Lines

The specialist will report to the Natural Resources Officer (Environmental Sustainability) and works under the overall guidance of the Senior Natural Resources Officer at OCB in cooperation with relevant Officer(s) in the FAO Regional/Country Offices and/or FAO relevant Units.

Technical Focus
Provides technical policy and programme support promoting sustainable bioeconomy in food and agriculture through technological (biotechnology bioengineering product design for outcome and bio-based processing) organizational (policies and institutional behaviour) and social innovations (societal awareness data systems and human capital) responsible consumption and production based on healthier diets and efficient use and reuse of biological resources and improve livelihoods. Supports countries in the formulation and implementation of integrated evidence-based bioeconomy policies practices and projects for sustainable and circular agrifood systems that are inclusive of rural communities indigenous groups youth and women.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Conducts research and provides expert advice on integrating biotechnology bioengineering product design cascading use and bio-based processing into agrifood systems.
Assists in identifying inclusive business models and opportunities to scale innovation mobilize financing and investment addressing regulatory infrastructure and market barriers and promoting equitable benefit-sharing for sustainable bioeconomy.
Contributes to the development of new FAO data methods tools and services for sustainable bioeconomy used for policies programs and investment projects in agrifood sectors.
Supports the development and strengthening of monitoring and assessment frameworks for tracking bioeconomy progress and impacts.
Develops sustainable bioeconomy project proposals and concept notes for resource mobilization in collaboration with FAO teams and country stakeholders including for the Adaptation Fund Global Climate Fund and Global Environmental Facility.
Assists countries in the design formulation and implementation of integrated evidence-based bioeconomy projects that promote sustainability and efficiency in agrifood systems.
Develops and curates knowledge products such as toolkits case studies and policy briefs to support learning and replication of successful bioeconomy initiatives.
For Consultants only:
Organizes and delivers capacity-building activities (workshops training sessions webinars) for bioeconomy stakeholders.
Supports coordination of the FAOs PPA on Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
Builds partnerships with relevant international organizations research institutes private sector and donor agencies to advance bioeconomy objectives.
Represents FAO in relevant meetings conferences and working groups on sustainable bioeconomy.
Contributes to the visibility of FAOs work on sustainable bioeconomy through articles briefs and social media content.
Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in environmental sciences biotechnology natural resources management engineering environmental economics environmental law agriculture forestry plant sciences or a related field.
One to four years of relevant experience (Category C) at least five years relevant experience (Category B) or at least ten years relevant experience (Category A) in analyzing scientific and related policy questions conducting research and writing reports and project/programme management in the field of sustainable bioeconomy agrifood system transformation innovation and/or biotechnologies.
Working knowledge of English (Level C) is essential

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.
Demonstrated experience in conducting research related to sustainable bioeconomy agrifood system transformation innovation and/or biotechnologies is essential.
Familiarity with global environmental funding mechanisms will be considered an asset.

Selection criteria:
Proven project development and/or implementation experience relevant to sustainable bioeconomy particularly in developing countries is considered an asset.
Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

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 FAOs 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 FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT