Job Description

2601992

Young Professional Officer (Climate Change)

Job Posting

: 23/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 14/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: RAF

Job Type

: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Grade Level: P-1

Primary Location

: Ghana-Accra

Duration: Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2008731

CCOG Code: 1R01

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

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments._____________________________________________________________________________________________________• 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 persons 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. FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Africa (SFC), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), and Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects in the region.RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The regional office supports regional policy dialogues on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resources mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana. Reporting Lines The Young Professional Officer (Climate Change) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer. He/she will work in collaboration with other technical officers and members of the multi-disciplinary teams at HQ, regional, subregional and country level, as well as relevant programme/projects.

Technical Focus Support the implementation of FAO’s Strategy on Climate Change (2022-2031) and its Action Plan in Africa by providing technical expertise on climate change in agrifood systems. This includes advancing climate-related policies and investments, supporting National Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation, climate finance, carbon markets, loss and damage, and energy transitions, while contributing to project development, knowledge generation, capacity building, and dissemination of climate change initiatives and lessons learned across the region. Key Results Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services. Key Functions Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.Provides technical support to various projects.Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners. Specific Functions Assists in the provision of technical support and backstopping for the design and the implementation of FAO's projects and programmes aimed at scaling up climate action in agrifood systems at regional and national level in a gender-sensitive and inclusive manner.Supports the analysis of trends in public and private climate and environmental finance of relevance to agrifood systems.Contributes to the identification and application of relevant tools to inform carbon-neutral and climate-resilient investment design to enhance the implementation of the NDCs, climate action and access to climate finance.Supports in monitoring implementation and reporting progress on FAO’s Strategy on Climate Change (2022-2031) and its Action Plan in Africa.Supports the development of new FAO data, methods, tools and services for climate change in agrifood sectors.Supports establishing and maintaining partnerships and mobilizing resources, including with vertical funds (Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility Fund to Respond to Loss and Damage or/and Adaptation Fund), private sector, bilateral and multilateral sources.Supports the development and review of technical documents related to different areas of climate change and deliver relevant training programmes.Provides support in convening meetings with relevant stakeholders and responsible representatives from government, civil society, regional and international bodies, private sector, and academia.Drafts reports in accordance with governments' and financing partners' requirements for the supervisor's review.Performs any other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in climate change, environmental engineering and sciences, natural resources management, or agriculture and forestry with focus on climate change, biological sciences or a related field.One year of relevant experience in development projects in the field of climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, preferably in relation to agrifood systems.Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). Competencies Results FocusTeamworkCommunicationBuilding Effective RelationshipsKnowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, private sector, as well as donors and government institutions.Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of French is considered an asset.Ability to analyse and understand policy and governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex climate and natural resource management issues.Extent and relevance of experience related to climate finance and carbon markets, climate and environmental investments in the agriculture sectors and rural development.Knowledge and application of tools to inform and shape environmental and climate investments in the agriculture sectors and food systems.Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific and policy documents and in organizing meetings and workshops. NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.

_________________________________________________________________FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency._________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INFORMATIONExtension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of fundsFAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. CONDITIONS OF SERVICEA competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________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/cspFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT