Forest, Land Use And Nature-Based Solutions Officer

View Vacancy - Forest, Land Use and Nature-Based Solutions Officer The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Job Category 1 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)
Job Subcategory 1 Climate Diplomacy
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1 Main Purpose of Job: To support, oversee and maximize the potential of the Forest and Land Use programmes of the International Climate Fund (ICF) in Colombia (£134 million) and to ensure the effective delivery of the UK's forest investments, while fostering nature-based solutions in coordination with the biodiversity and nature agenda under the Partnership for Sustainable Growth. To work with the UK's International Forest Unit, in coordination with the Departments for Energy Security and Net-Zero (DESNZ), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), collaborating closely with other relevant teams in the British Embassy and in London, to ensure the coherence of the wider UK government forest and land use investments in Colombia. In particular those related to biodiversity and climate through sustainable agriculture, agro-forestry, nature positive food systems, among others that integrate nature-based solutions and innovative forest and nature investments.
The current UK Forest and Land Use Portfolio includes different flagship programmes and projects to support Colombia's NDC implementation and deforestation reduction, including:
1. REM-Amazon Vision: Colombian strategy that seeks to reach zero net deforestation in the Amazon through five pillars: environmental governance, the sustainability of the sectors of development, agri-environmental activities, indigenous governance and enabling conditions.
2. Biocarbono Orinoquia (ISFL): promotes the reduction of greenhouse gases caused by the agricultural and forestry sector in developing countries, and the growth of best land use and sustainable agricultural policies and practices.
3. Partnerships for Forests – P4F: an initiative that seeks to catalyse investments where the public and private sectors, civil society and local communities can profit equitably from sustainable forest management and its derivative uses.
4. Territorios Forestales Sostenibles – TEFOS: seeks to support the Colombian government in the implementation of the multipurpose cadastre, promote environmental rule of law and provide sustainable economic alternatives; aiming to reduce deforestation in conflict-affected areas.
5. Sustainable livelihoods strand of UKPACT: provides strategic technical assistance to reduce GHG emissions while supporting activities that value standing forests (e.g. agriculture and bioeconomy) and promotes climate smart practices through projects on cattle ranching and agroforestry. Additionally, it supports projects focused on Green Finance. 
6. Other F&LU initiatives supported by the UK in Colombia: the UK works actively with Colombian stakeholders on initiatives involving NGOs, IPLCs, private sector, and subnational governments. These are aimed to promote better agricultural practices (e.g. Tropical Forest Alliance, FOLU), high environmental integrity in carbon markets (e.g. VCMIi, LEAF) and international pledges on forest conservation (e.g. Glasgow Leader's Declaration on Forests and Land Use).
In addition, the job holder will be expected to support the wider strategy on just rural transition and sustainable agriculture, working to create a coherent portfolio integrating other UK programmes such as Just Rural Transitions, Land Degradation Neutrality Fund, EcoBusiness Fund, among others. Nature-based solutions will be at the centre of the strategy to address deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss, and will be a core theme in the upcoming 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) taking place in October – November 2024 in Colombia. As such, this event is one of the main priorities of the Forest, Land Use and Nature agenda and the job holder will be expected to support a cross-Embassy effort to deliver the objectives of the UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth.
This position is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a growing area of UK-Colombia collaboration. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Forest and Land Use Team, and coordinating with the Environmental Policy, Biodiversity and Oceans Team, in the effective delivery of the programmes and strategic thinking for forward planning to continue to position the UK as a key partner in Colombia, and the forest and nature agenda as a key political issue. The role will also support the International Climate Fund programming for Colombia to make a successful transition to a low carbon and nature resilient economy in line with its NDC and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; and engaging external stakeholders including UK and Colombian government agencies, private sector institutions, think-tanks, academics, and NGOs, among other relevant stakeholders.
The role will report to the Head of ICF Forest & Land Use Programmes in the British Embassy, working closely with Environmental Policy, Biodiversity and Oceans Team, and Political, Security, Economic, and Business & Trade colleagues across the Embassy, as well as liaising with other relevant FCDO, DESNZ and DEFRA departments, to ensure successful delivery of the UK-Colombia Partnership and whole ICF portfolio.
This position is advertised on a fixed-term basis for one (1) year, with an initial six (6) months trial period. Subject to confirmation of future funding, it is expected that the position could be extended.
Roles and Responsibilities: Forest, Land Use and Nature-Based Solutions (85%) To support the Forests and Land Use Team in local oversight of specific ICF programmes, such as Biocarbono Orinoquia, Partnerships for Forests, AIM4Forests and other F&LU activities financed by other HMG funds, especially UKPACT in the areas of Green Finance and Just Rural Transition.  To lead the coordination with GNU (Germany, Norway and UK) related to the activities of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) and the Vision Amazonia programme. To lead on the sustainable agriculture agenda and provide advice to maximise the portfolio coherence with programmes such as the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund and Just Rural Transitions.  To support the strengthening and visibility of nature-based solutions in the forest and land use portfolio in coordination with the biodiversity and nature agenda, including supporting the bioeconomy, food systems and sustainable agriculture strategies. To provide technical steer on green finance issues, especially in relation to climate and nature finance, focusing on aspects such as the relationship between carbon and biodiversity markets, initiatives like the TaskForce on Nature Disclosure Risks (TNFD), biodiversity credits, and Nature for Nature, including initiatives such as Mobilizing Finance for Forests and the EcoBusiness Fund. .  To lead the strategic communications of the Forest and Land Use portfolio in Colombia and the integration of the portfolio within the UK Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth. To provide strategic steer on complementarities and synergies between the Forest and Land Use portfolio and the nature portfolio in-country, identifying opportunities to maximize communication campaigns, engagement with high-level decision makers and lessons exchanges among beneficiaries and partners. Policy Advocacy (10%) Working closely with political, climate, biodiversity & environmental policy, business & trade and communications colleagues, to maximise the impact of the Forest and Land Use portfolio with a clear narrative on nature-based solutions. This will include building relationships, and lobbying when required, with political and technical level contacts in government, sub-national authorities (cities, states, provinces), representatives of businesses, academia and civil society, and leading some of these relationships. To support London-based colleagues on engagement with Colombia on the Forest, Land Use and Nature-based solutions agenda, on local sensitivities and how to respond to Colombia's priorities. To support environmental diplomacy engagement, when required, on Forests, Land Use and Nature-based solution international commitments ahead of conferences such as COP or CDB. The priority for 2024 will be CBD COP16. To manage Ministerial and official visits from the UK related to the forests and land use portfolio in Colombia. This could include planning and advising on visit agendas, coordinating with media colleagues, and supporting/leading specific events. Management/Corporate (5%) To play an active part in the corporate life of the Embassy, including where relevant as a member of Embassy committees (crisis, L&D, Brilliant Bogota) to maximise the overall well-being of staff. To manage administrative tasks as required within the Economic, Climate & Science Team, and to participate actively in meetings and briefings of relevance to the role. To carry out other tasks as required by Embassy senior management, including the mandatory training. Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1 Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field, for instance, Policy, Administration, International Relations, Climate and Environment Science, Engineering, or equivalent professional experience. A minimum of five years of experience working in a strong, collaborative team environment for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or regional government, international organisations, or agencies, specifically in climate change, forests, land use/management, nature-based solutions, biodiversity, or environmental issues. Strong record of delivering climate change, F&LU and environmental policy and programming, with relevant experience including from university and/or preferably from previous professional work experience. Strong background and track record of success in programme management and strategic communications on climate, forests or environment. Experience of negotiation ideally around climate or environmental issues. Well-developed organisational, policy and influencing skills, especially in environment, forest and land use issues. Wide network of contacts including relevant environmental stakeholders both internally and externally: national and local government, private sector, NGOs. Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people both orally and in writing; good judgement to inform decisions and provide advice. Ability to research, organise and analyse facts and data, and the ability to turn them into compelling presentations. Sound judgement and ability to determine work priorities, work methods and budget allocations.  Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish Must have the legal status to live and work in Colombia. Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1 Policy and technical knowledge on environment, forests and land use, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions. Financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience. Experience in managing people. Master's Degree in a relevant field. Required behaviours 1 Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together 24 April 2024
Grade 1 Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position 1 Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Working hours per week 1 35
Region 1 Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Country/Territory 1 Colombia
Location (City) 1 Bogota
Type of Post 1 British Embassy
Number of vacancies 1 1
Salary Currency 1 COP
$7,881,504 monthly
Start Date 1 3 June 2024
Other benefits and conditions of employment 1 Learning and Development Opportunities: Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and InclusionCourses offered on UK government climate change and programme management. The British Embassy has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of in-house training and funding for external training on policy, programme work and leadership skills
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Working Patterns: The candidate must have the legal status to live and work in Colombia. The job position is located at the British Embassy in Colombia.
The jobholder must be prepared to undertake work-related national and occasional international travel, including for learning & development purposes.

Additional information 1 The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.
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