About the opportunity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking a National Expert on Climate Change Capacity Gap Assessment to support the Government of Vanuatu under the GEF-funded Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project. Implemented alongside the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management (MoCCA) and the Department of Climate Change (DoCC), this project strengthens Vanuatu’s institutional and technical capacity to meet the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) reporting requirements of the Paris Agreement. The expert will assess national climate change capacity gaps across institutional, regulatory, human, and technical dimensions, engage national stakeholders through interviews and focus groups, and assist in designing greenhouse gas inventory capacity building.
Salary and benefits
- Three-month national project personnel contract with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Opportunity to directly shape Vanuatu's national climate transparency systems and NDC reporting processes
- Collaboration with national ministries, international climate specialists, and FAO regional leadership
- Specific remuneration and compensation details are determined based on standard FAO national scales and are not published in the vacancy announcement
Who can apply?
- Must be a national of Vanuatu or a legal resident of Vanuatu holding a valid work permit
- University degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field from an institution recognized by IAU/WHED/UNESCO
- At least five (5) years of progressive professional experience in climate change, with a demonstrated focus on mitigation
- Full working proficiency in English
- Sound understanding of the NDC, NAP, and BTR processes under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework
- Hands-on experience with IPCC 2006 Guidelines and greenhouse gas inventory software in at least one relevant sector
- Proven experience conducting national-level assessments, surveys, or stakeholder consultations, particularly within the Pacific context
- Familiarity with Vanuatu's climate change governance arrangements and sectoral institutions
Required documents
- Completed online profile on the FAO recruitment portal, including comprehensive academic, employment, and language records
- Letter of motivation attached to the online candidate profile
- Evidence of academic degrees recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
- Past performance assessments and contact information for professional reference checks upon request
When to apply
- Job posting date: October 23, 2026
- Application closing date: November 6, 2026, at 11:59:00 PM (local candidate device time / late evening GMT)
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their complete dossier well ahead of the deadline
How to apply
- Visit the official FAO Careers recruitment portal and create or update your applicant account
- Complete your profile sections thoroughly, covering employment records, educational history aligned with WHED, and language skills
- Upload a tailored letter of motivation addressing the role's technical requirements
- Review all application data and give the required consent for pre-screening and background checks
- Submit your formal application before the closing time on November 6, 2026
Additional information
- Contract modality: National Project Personnel (NPP), non-staff appointment for 3 months
- The position operates under the operational supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Representative for the Pacific Islands and technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer
- Day-to-day coordination takes place with the FAO team in Port Vila and the Department of Climate Change
- FAO maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and conducts strict pre-employment background and medical checks
- FAO does not charge any application, interview, or processing fees at any stage of recruitment
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…
- Experienced environmental and climate professionals based in Vanuatu who have an established background in national mitigation policies or sectoral greenhouse gas accounting.
- Specialists who combine strong qualitative assessment skills—such as facilitating Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions—with technical familiarity with IPCC 2006 guidelines.
- Practitioners who already understand the local institutional landscape across MoCCA, DoCC, and sectoral ministries involved in Vanuatu's NDC 3.0 and BTR1 submissions.
What should you think carefully about?
- The assignment is strictly short-term, lasting 3 months, requiring immediate availability and intense delivery without a long onboarding period.
- Eligibility is restricted to citizens of Vanuatu or foreign nationals already legally resident in Vanuatu with full working rights.
- The vacancy does not disclose a salary figure or daily rate, meaning candidates must clarify compensation and contractual conditions during selection.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This consultancy is ideally suited for a national climate expert looking to deliver high-impact, short-term contributions to Vanuatu's international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It provides exceptional exposure to the UN system and GEF-funded project architecture, expanding the consultant's track record in MRV systems, institutional capacity building, and climate governance.
Our take
Qualified Vanuatu-based climate specialists with mitigation and GHG inventory expertise should apply immediately to this time-sensitive vacancy. International applicants without Vanuatu work rights or professionals seeking long-term employment should pass on this opportunity.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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