Jobs - 112109- FAO Climate-Smart Innovation Expert (Re-advertised

FAO Climate-Smart Innovation Expert (Re-advertised)

Location :

Ramallah with frequent visits to project sites in WB and Gaza, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Jun-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year with possibility to extend based on fund availability and performance

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an intergovernmental Organization with more than 192 member countries. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security - defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life.

To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers’ groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site: http://www.fao.org).

Since 2002, the FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) has supported the preparation for, and response to, food and agricultural threats and livelihood emergencies in the WBGS through emergency relief, rehabilitation and revitalization of productive capacity. FAO interventions help protect access and entitlements of Palestinian farming households to land, water, services and markets. Such interventions are essential to enhance overall food security, reduce dependency on relief assistance amongst vulnerable Palestinians and contribute to institution building.

FAO WBGS has been implementing a Multi-donor Agribusiness Programme (MAP II) titled “Promoting Market-oriented Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food System Development” since December 2022. The programme, which is funded by Denmark, the European Union, Switzerland, and Spain, seeks to enable Palestinian agribusinesses to generate better income, trade and welfare by following and promoting innovative approaches toward more sustainable, market-oriented, competitive and profitable agribusiness.

FAO is seeking a highly motivated Climate-smart Innovation Expert to lead and coordinate the field design and progressive implementation of innovative solutions addressing the identified bottlenecks in the targeted value chains under MAP II. The Climate-smart Innovation Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the general supervision of the Head of Programme, the direct supervision of the Value Chain Development Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Project Manager and other relevant FAO WBGS personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate-smart Innovation Expert will lead and coordinate the field design and progressive implementation of innovative solutions addressing the bottlenecks to be identified in the targeted agri-food value chains under MAP II. In particular, s/he will perform the following key functions:

• support and participate in the consultative identification and analysis of the policy/technical innovative solutions based on the results of the bottlenecks analysis and in consultation with the Value Chain Development Coordinator and other related staff;

• assist in the preparation for and conduction of progressive consultations with the related actors to verify the feasibility and applicability of the identified solutions while capturing their technical, socioeconomic and environmental dimensions in collaboration with the Value Chain Development Coordinator and other related staff;

• lead the design of and action planning for the implementation of the prioritized innovative solutions, including the inputs, resources and expertise needed;

• support and participate in the consultative identification, selection and mobilization of the field beneficiaries/partners to be engaged in the implementation of the innovative solutions following clear prioritization criteria to be detailed during the inception phase of the project, which s/he will support developing in a manner that ensures best value for money;

• participate in the field verification visits to the eligible beneficiaries and partners and ensure proper documentation and record management of the follow-up, verification, monitoring and certifying processes for progress in collaboration with the field project support assistants;

• support the day-to-day field implementation, measurement and analysis of the effectiveness of the demonstrated solutions with the beneficiaries/partners in collaboration with the Value Chain Development Coordinator and other related colleagues;

• draft a variety of regular and ad-hoc project implementation documents, including but not limited to minutes of meetings, briefs, updates, technical guidelines, action plans, agreements with partners and beneficiaries, certification reports, progress reports, and other information materials to ensure well-documented progress monitoring and follow-up of the related activities;

• lead and coordinate the documentation of the results, good practices and lessons learned to be disseminated among related actors and stakeholders in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner. This can include field visits, publications and technical and policy dialogues targeting farmers and other value-chain actors, MoA and other governmental actors, NGOs, UN agencies and resource partners;

• support the national authorities to identify and formulate climate-change adaptation/mitigation interventions in alignment with the Palestinian Nationally Determined Contribution reports (NDCs).

• keep well-informed of new developments and innovative approaches/solutions in the areas required and actively contribute to the office learning process and corporate knowledge tools in relation to innovative, gender-sensitive and climate-smart solutions and opportunities for Palestinian agribusinesses including female and male youth in the agri-food sector;

• perform other duties as and when requested.

Competencies

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards,

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of FAO,

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical/Functional Competencies:

a) Knowledge Management and Learning,

- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office,

- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice, areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

b) Operational Effectiveness

- Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects,

- Strong IT skills.

c) Management and Leadership

- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback,

- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude,

- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills,

- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure,

- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

d) Communication Competencies

- Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors,

- Delivers engaging, informative and well-organized presentations,

- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A University degree relevant to the required tasks (e.g. Developmental Studies, International Relations, Social Studies, or related fields);

Experience:

• At least 4 years of relevant experience in implementing projects in the field of agricultural value chain development, agribusiness, crop production, or related fields.

• Proven experience with managing climate-smart innovations for the sustainable development of agri-food value chains

• Familiarity with the major challenges and opportunities for innovative solutions pertinent to Palestinian agricultural value chain development.

• Field experience in coordinating and liaising with farmers, farmers cooperatives and associations, agribusinesses and private and public sectors active in the agri-food sector as well as national authorities, UN, donors and nongovernmental national and international organizations

Language Requirements:

Working knowledge of spoken and written English and Arabic.

Other:

Excellent reporting and communication skills.

Professional skills in standard computer applications.

Ability to travel to the project sites in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

TO APPLY:

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE COMPLETED UNDP P-11 FORM WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

UNDP P11 form (new Personal History form) (google.com). Kindly ensure to upload both CV and P-11 as one document as the system will only allow one attachment.