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

• 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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO 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.

In 2021, Sierra Leone published its initial National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The initial NAP includes a stocktake of adaptation priorities, vulnerabilities, and measures across seven (7) identified priority sectors, based purely on desk research and literature review. The initial NAP explicitly states the need to develop a full NAP, informed by context-specific national and sectoral climate information and evidence generated through detailed vulnerability assessments. To this end, FAO, in collaboration with EPA, launched a NAP readiness project in 2025. The NAP Readiness project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Titled: “Accelerating Action Towards Effective Climate Risk Management in Key Sectors in Sierra Leone,” the project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Sierra Leone, in close collaboration with EPA. The project’s objective is to strengthen climate-risk management in key adaptation sectors in Sierra Leone. The project will conduct detailed vulnerability assessments and strengthen institutional collaboration on climate adaptation. It will also engage stakeholders from government institutions, NGOs, research institutions, local communities, the private sector, and other relevant groups at national and sub-national levels. The Project aims to tackle the gaps of weak capacities in National Adaptation Planning, lack of a comprehensive vulnerability Assessment in the initial NAP, lack of a comprehensive Climate Change Data center and limited private sector involvement in climate action.

To implement the outcome on Climate finance, a Climate Finance/Resource Mobilization expert is needed. The expert will be responsible for formulating a Strategic Resource Mobilization Plan for climate adaptation. A Climate Adaptation Concept Note, informed by the feasibility and pre-feasibility studies, defining indicators related to adaptation financing to be integrated into the NAP’s MEL framework; and setting up a monitoring system for monitoring and reporting on Adaptation action and finance in alignment with the MEL framework, to be included in the full NAP. The monitoring system will be housed at the National Secretariat for Climate Change (NSCC) and managed by EPA staff. Generate recommendations to guide the establishment of a climate Trust Fund.

Reporting Line

The expert will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative Programme in Sierra Leone and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator and National Technical Project Specialist, with support and backstopping from the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and the LTO.

Technical Focus

The expert will provide technical input to support the development of a Strategic Resource Mobilization Plan on climate adaptation, a Climate Adaptation concept note and pre-feasibility study, and give technical guidance for setting up a monitoring system for monitoring and reporting on Adaptation action and finance in alignment with the MEL framework in the NAP and support establishment of a Trust Fund.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Analyze the national and global climate financing landscape, the existing climate finance flows and identify potential domestic and international funding sources; including government agencies, private sector entities, bilateral and multilateral funds.
• Quantify sector-specific investment requirements aligned with the full NAP.
• Develop timelines for short-term, medium-term, and long-term investments (e.g., up to 2030, 2050).
• Identify financing gaps by comparing forecasted needs with available and potential funding sources.
• Propose appropriate financial instruments (grants, loans, bonds, guarantees, blended finance) to mobilize resources.
• Support the facilitation of discussions on investment timeframes, sector priorities, and resource commitments.
• Organize consultation and validation workshops for the development of the concept note
• Ensure the resource mobilization plan aligns with the full NAP and national climate policies.
• Compile analysis, stakeholder inputs, and strategic recommendations into a comprehensive plan.
• Provide support towards the development of an actionable resource mobilization plan with clear steps, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Provide technical expertise for setting up and recommending initial contribution targets for the Climate Trust Fund.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on the plan and workshop outcomes.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in financial management and business development
• At least 5 years of experience in financing/resource mobilization, environmental management, and Climate Finance
• Working knowledge of English (level C).
• National of Sierra Leone or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge in capacity development in Climate Finance and Resource Mobilization
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and coordination skills.
• Knowledge in capacity development in Climate Finance and Resource Mobilization
• Experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of Sierra Leone’s environmental sector is an added asset;
• Leadership and supervisory experience in managing projects/programmes

Selection criteria

• Previous work on ecosystems similar to those present in Sierra Leone;
• Previous experience working on similar projects especially on Climate Finance /Resource Mobilization
• Previous experience working on similar projects, especially on NAP GCF Readiness;

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

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

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 other issues, 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. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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

• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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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