Young Professional Officer (climate Change)

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 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.
• 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.

Job Posting

23/Sep/2026

Closure Date

15/Oct/2026, 12:59:00 AM

Job Type

Staff position

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.