IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Green Cities Initiative (GCI), is partnering with the Maseru City Council (MCC) to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development. The initiative focuses on transforming Maseru into a greener, healthier, and more resilient city by integrating urban agriculture, green space revitalization, climate-smart practices, and sustainable waste management into urban policies and practices.

Environmental sustainability is a foundational pillar of the Green Cities Initiative. To achieve this, the project requires strong technical leadership in environmental management, climate adaptation, policy alignment, and monitoring of safeguards. FAO seeks the services of a National Environmental Specialist to support the delivery of environmentally sound interventions aligned with national and international standards.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lesotho, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for program, technical supervision in SFS and HQ and in collaboration with The National Project Coordinator and other relevant technical departments of the Maseru City Council (MCC) , the incumbent will undertake the following task:

Technical Focus

To strengthen the technical capacities of MCC for implementing the environmental aspects of the Green Cities Initiative

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall leadership of the FAO Representative, technical supervision of the relevant FAO technical officers in SFS and HQ, and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator and other relevant technical departments of the MCC, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Review relevant environmental policies, legal frameworks, and safeguards, and recommend improvements to integrate with the Green Cities Initiative
• Conduct environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) for piloting organic waste management (composting, generation of bioenergy, etc.) and establishment of green spaces.
• Support the development of guidelines and technical notes on sustainable waste management, environmental safeguards, and urban ecosystem management.
• Support MCC in the design and management of green spaces and eco-friendly urban interventions.
• Support the development of environmental management and monitoring frameworks for pilot sites
• Build the capacity of MCC staff and community groups in environmental management, green space planning, and climate resilience.
• Participate in awareness raising and sensitization workshops for MCC and stakeholders on context-specific ways that can be employed to make Maseru city healthier, greener, and sustainable
• Support awareness campaigns on waste segregation, recycling, biodiversity, and environmental health.
• Establish environmental monitoring indicators and tools to measure project impact.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Natural Resources Management, or related field.
• 5 years of relevant experience in: professional experience in environmental management, waste management, or urban sustainability.
• Working knowledge of English (C level)
• National of the Kingdom of Lesotho or resident in 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

• Experience with environmental assessments, policy analysis, and safeguards- Proven track record in capacity building, training, and community-based environmental projects.
• Familiarity with Lesotho’s environmental policies and urban development challenges.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

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 a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• 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.

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 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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT