Agrobiodiversity and Nature- Solution Specialist

Position: Agrobiodiversity and Nature-Based Solution Specialist
Overview

Job Description - Agrobiodiversity and Nature-Based Solution Specialist (2600305)
Agrobiodiversity and Nature-Based Solution Specialist

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2600305

Organization: RAP - Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities | Type of

Requisition :
Consultant | Primary

Location:

Home-Based Job Posting: 12/Feb/2026 | Closure Date: 12/Mar/2026, 11:59:00 PMPost Number: N/AIMPORTANT NOTICE:
Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device.

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-underrepresented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting

FAO is recognized as the lead UN technical organization in the fight to eradicate hunger, eliminate rural poverty, and promote sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livestock development while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people in  Asia-Pacific Region, with support from GEF, member states and partners, FAO is implementing projects promoting dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity and addressing adverse impacts on the environment due to extensive cropping systems of main crops.

Several GEF projects in this region are being carried out on agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions for agrifood systems transformation, including three from China, GEF6 on agrobiodiversity, GEF7 on transformation of food production systems and agro-ecological landscapes, and GEF8 on low carbon agrifood systems, as well as one project in Indonesia, GEF7 on crop diversity conservation for sustainable use.
All four projects are expected to have a large-scale transformational impact on food systems, by targeting a transformation of agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization and low-carbon crop production landscapes, and by supporting integrated production systems and restoration of degraded land, and value chains. This will result in reduced GHG emissions and nutrient runoff, and improved biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Reporting Lines The Specialist will be under the supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) as the Budget Holder, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific FAO, with direct technical supervision by FAO Agriculture Officer (Plant Production).
Technical Focus The Specialist will provide technical support to the projects with a comprehensive review of status, challenges, and opportunities of selected crops in the agro-ecological landscape transformation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Build scientific and technical capacity on key areas, such as conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity, sustainable intensive crop production, sustainable landscape management, nature-based solution in crop production and value chain, and low-carbon agrifood systems, through analysis, consultation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative on-site demonstration projects in the Asia and Pacific region, mostly China and Indonesia.
Work with the LTO and focal point of GEF project at FAO country office through technical support and coordination with the project teams for the execution of activities according to the prescribed work plan.
Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on project activities related to sustainable food production practices and responsible agri-food value chains for staple crops (rice, wheat, maize) by analyzing cutting-edge technologies, best practices, and policy landscapes (e.g., mapping studies on new/ improved standards, fertilizer reduction, pesticide reduction, and soil organic matter).
Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on conservation and restoration of agroecosystems and biodiversity by analyzing latest methodologies and best practices on carbon emission reduction and carbon sequestration in plant production in the Asia region.
Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity for on-farm management of local varieties and sustainable production and value chain development of crop-derived commodities through market and non-market incentives.
Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on knowledge management and M&E, documenting case studies, organizing training workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on plant and environment, agroecology, and GEF-related programmes across the Asia-Pacific region…