Climate Change Research Specialist

The Climate Change Research Specialist will support the FAO Project Management Unit in formulating the Climate and Forest Strategy for the Bahamas. The role involves conducting primary and secondary research, stakeholder engagement, and supporting the development and finalization of the strategy document to address deforestation and forest degradation in the Bahamas.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the zero draft of the Strategy to identify areas for improvement and information gaps that need to be addressed.
• Gather and analyze secondary data on national land-use classification schemes, carbon stock data, and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation through desk research.
• Support the MRV Specialist and Facilitator engaging key stakeholders (50% female participation) in The Bahamas LULUCF Sector through bilateral meetings, interviews, focus groups, participatory workshops.
• Collect and analyze the primary data required to help elaborate the Strategy.
• Systematize findings to prepare a report to be incorporated into the relevant sections of the draft strategy.
• Provide support in the development of the draft Strategy document to reflect national priorities and ensure alignment with existing climate change adaptation strategies and national policy frameworks.
• Support the Climate Finance REDD Specialist to develop a presentation highlighting the key elements of the Strategy for internal coordination within the FAO team and for dissemination.
• Support the design of a national workshop or consultation.
• Provide support for logistics, organization, facilitation, and documentation of the national workshop(s).
• Provide support and finalize the Strategy Document.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Requirements

• University degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Economics, or Natural Resource Management.
• 2 years of relevant experience in forest, climate policy, natural resource management, or related fields in the Bahamas, with strong analytical and writing skills.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
• Familiarity with the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector in The Bahamas, including key stakeholders, policies, and institutional arrangements, is highly desirable.
• Experience in developing national or sectoral strategies or planning documents, conducting stakeholder engagement processes, and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops is highly desirable.
• Good documentation, record keeping and report-writing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Familiarity with international climate frameworks (e.g., REDD+, NDCs) would be considered an asset.
• Proven ability to plan and facilitate interviews, focus groups, and participatory workshops with diverse stakeholders (including women).
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate with multiple stakeholders (communities, government, NGOs) and build effective partnerships.

Skills

• Forest Policy Analysis
• Climate Policy Development
• Natural Resource Management
• Land Use Planning
• LULUCF Sector Knowledge
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Multi-Stakeholder Facilitation
• Report Writing
• Documentation and Record-Keeping
• Research on Climate Change
• Strategy Development
• Interview Facilitation
• Focus Group Facilitation
• Workshop Facilitation
• Partnership Building
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English