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;

National Climate Finance / Resources Mobilization Expert