About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in co-implementation with CAF and in coordination with Venezuela’s Ministry of Popular Power for Ecosocialism (MINEC), is executing the GEF-funded project ‘Conservation and sustainable development of the Lake Maracaibo basin.’ The Financial Economic Analysis Specialist will provide technical expertise to plan, coordinate, and execute financial and economic sustainability initiatives, design sustainable business models, monitor co-financing streams, and establish socioeconomic impact indicators across project intervention areas in Venezuela.
Salary and benefits
- Paid temporary National Project Personnel (NPP) contract position with FAO in Venezuela
- 11-month contract length contributing to a high-impact GEF-8 environmental project
- Professional engagement with international UN agencies, national ministries, and regional development organizations
Who can apply?
- Must be a Venezuelan national or a legal resident in Venezuela with a valid work permit
- University degree in economics, business administration, or a related field; a postgraduate degree in finance, sustainable development, project management, or environmental economics is preferred
- Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrable experience designing sustainable business models, preferably in rural settings or working with Indigenous communities
- Working knowledge of Spanish; basic to intermediate English proficiency (level A or B) is desirable
- Residence in or willingness to stay for long periods in the project intervention area (Zulia or Mérida state)
- Immediate availability and commitment to exclusive dedication
- Proficiency in economic and financial analysis tools and Microsoft Office applications
Required documents
- Completed online candidate profile submitted through the official FAO recruitment portal
- Academic credentials from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED/UNESCO)
- Proof of legal work authorization in Venezuela (for non-national residents)
When to apply
- Applications opened on October 15, 2026
- Application deadline is October 29, 2026, at 22:59:00 UTC
How to apply
- Access the official FAO careers portal (FAO Jobs).
- Create or log into your user account and complete your candidate profile in full.
- Submit your complete application online directly through the recruitment portal prior to the deadline.
Additional information
- FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
- Incomplete applications and submissions outside the official online portal will not be considered.
- Selected candidates will undergo background and reference checks in accordance with UN standards.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- You hold an advanced background in environmental economics or project finance with at least 5 years of field experience in sustainable business design.
- You possess direct familiarity with the socioeconomic context of the Lake Maracaibo basin, Zulia, or Mérida states.
- You have practical experience with payment for ecosystem services (PES), microcredits, revolving funds, or GEF-funded project frameworks.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires full-time exclusive dedication and immediate availability upon selection.
- Location requires either local residence in Zulia or Mérida or willingness to spend extended periods on-site in intervention areas.
- The position is limited to a 11-month temporary NPP contract duration.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers experienced Venezuelan economists and finance professionals a direct role in designing innovative conservation finance tools and local sustainable business models for critical coastal-marine ecosystems under a major UN-GEF initiative.
Our take
Strongly recommended for Venezuelan economic and financial specialists with field experience in environmental project sustainability, local community engagement, and public sector administrative processes. Applicants who do not reside in or hold work authorization for Venezuela are ineligible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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