Faculty of Food and Agriculture

VACANCY : Natural Capital Specialist (Regional/International)

Application Deadline: May 08, 2026, 11:59 p.m (GMT-4)

Job Description

The Faculty of Food and Agriculture invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for the position of Natural Capital Specialist: BioResilience: Nature based solutions for resilient landscapes in Trinidad and Tobago.

The project “Bio Resilience: Nature based solutions for resilient landscapes in Trinidad and Tobago” is a five-year project, funded by the GEF, implemented by the FAO, and executed by UWI. The project’s objective is “To have nature-positive development and increased food security in Trinidad and Tobago, including NbS, that halt current land degradation trends, increase biodiversity and provide resilience to climate change impacts in the long run.”

The Natural Capital Specialist will provide technical leadership for the development and implementation of the Natural Capital Accounting framework under Component 1 of the Bio Resilience Project. The specialist will support the development of methodologies, data systems and analytical tools necessary to integrate natural capital accounting into national decision-making processes. The Natural Capital Specialist will work closely with the Project Management Unit, national stakeholders and technical partners to ensure that natural capital accounting approaches are aligned with international standards.

 

Tenure of Contract: 60 days

Duty Station: Overseas Consultant

Eligibility: Solely International applicants

 

Tasks

Under the direct supervision of NTPC and with the support of the UWI, the Natural Capital Specialist will be responsible for providing relevant technical guidance and support for Component 1. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following main tasks:

  • Provide technical leadership for the implementation of Component 1 of the Bio Resilience Project
  • Lead Outputs:
  • Output 1.1.1 – Roadmap for National Natural Capital Accounting developed
  • Output 1.1.2 – Pilot land cover and carbon assessment completed
  • Output 1.1.3 – Increased value estimated for intervention areas
  • Output 1.1.4 – Data integrated into national environmental information systems
  • Establish a National intergovernmental coordination mechanism for NCA
  • Develop a Roadmap for NCA
  • Review the project document and related background information to become familiar with the project design and implementation context
  • Provide guidance on the development of natural capital accounting methodologies and tools
  • Support national institutions in strengthening environmental data collection and analysis systems
  • Facilitate technical collaboration among national stakeholders involved in natural capital accounting
  • Provide technical guidance for integrating ecosystem valuation into national planning processes
  • Support the preparation of technical reports and documentation related to natural capital accounting
  • Contribute to project monitoring and reporting processes related to Component 1
  • Lead workshops and training sessions on Natural Capital Accounting
  • Identify, discuss and agree with the project team and beneficiaries’ areas that can benefit from the specialist’s expertise in natural capital accounting and ecosystem valuation.
  • Perform other duties as required.

 

Minimum Requirements

Education

Postgraduate degree in environmental economics, ecological economics, environmental science, natural resource management or a related field. A PhD in environmental economics, ecological economics, natural capital accounting or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

 

General technical skills and experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of proven professional experience in the agricultural and/or environmental sector.
  • Good knowledge of FAO and GEF environmental and social safeguards mechanisms.
  • Good knowledge of database management and information processing.
  • Good relations with national institutions.
  • Experience in preparation and/or execution of projects with international organizations.
  • Drafting of technical reports according to UN quality standards.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with national and international organizations, Government authorities, academia, technical experts, field workers and civil society organizations.
  • Good command of MS Office tools and use of on-line information systems.

 

Other skills:

  • Planning and organizing: Ability to establish a coherent course of action to achieve goals, ability to translate plans into actions, organize work, monitor & review outcomes, and communicate the results clearly both orally and in writing.
  • Teamwork: Ability to build trust and respect among fellow team members and contribute to the resolution of workplace conflict.
  • Communications and interpersonal skills: Ability to expresses thoughts clearly, accurately and succinctly in verbal and in writing to different audiences, and ability to relate well with others and to maintain relations with cordiality and diplomacy.
  • Ability to work in a multi‐cultural setting and under pressure: Ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures, ability to multi-task and remain efficient and productive under pressure.
  • Effective problem-solving skills: Ability to use sound judgment and initiative, develop options and achieve outcomes.
  • Organizational awareness: Ability to align thinking and actions to organizational values.
  • Flexibility and adaptability: Ability to respond positively to change and new organizational practices, structures, procedures and technology; and
  • Personal credibility: Has high regards for self-discipline, good attendance record, respect punctuality and set example to others, show consistency in words and actions, has high integrity and is conscientious.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply applicants are asked submit an Application form, a full curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation to the Project Management Unit,  Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Frank Stockdale Building, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. via email at STA-BioResProj@uwi.edu and cc STA-ntpc_BioResProj@uwi.edu.

Applications should be identified as Vacancy: Natural Capital Specialist

Three (3) references (one of which should be from your present organization) must be indicated. To expedite the appointment procedures, applicants are advised to ask their referees to send their signed references under CONFIDENTIAL cover DIRECTLY to the Dean, Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the above email address without waiting to be contacted by The University. Applications received after the deadline date will not be considered.

Click here for the application form.

Please note that unsuitable applications will not be acknowledged.