Farming Systems, Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The unsustainable management of globally traded commodity crops (cacao, coffee and oil palm), and their expansion into forest areas, are leading to major impacts on globally important biodiversity, the degradation of soil and water resources, the loss of carbon stocks, and the degradation of watersheds that are vital for maintaining water flows to rice production areas. Rice production is itself a source of globally significant environmental impacts, in the form of the contamination of soil and globally- important aquatic ecosystems due to excessive and inappropriate use of agricultural chemicals, and the generation of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) from flooded paddy systems. A narrow focus on the production of globally-traded cash crops by farmers is environmentally and socially unsustainable – even in the case of perennial crops such as coffee and cacao that have the potential to yield environmental benefits if appropriately managed – because of the volatility of global markets for these crops and their vulnerability to the effects of global climate change. In order to ensure the sustainable value chains of palm oil, coffee and cocoa via application of a comprehensive land use approach linking biodiversity conservation, restoration and production at scale, a project entitled “Strengthening sustainability in commodity and food systems, land restoration and land use governance through integrated landscape management for multiple benefits in Indonesia (FOLUR)” is being implemented with the funding support from the Global Environmental Faculty (GEF) and the Government of Indonesia. The implementation of this project is led by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA) with technical support from UNDP and FAO. The project will mainly have the following four areas of interventions: 1. Development of integrated landscape management systems. 2. Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains. 3. Conservation and restoration of natural habitats. 4. Management, Coordination, Collaboration, and M&E. The project will be implemented in five provinces (jurisdictions) covering 5 districts (pilot landscapes) namely Aceh (Central Aceh), North Sumatra (Mandailing Natal), West Kalimantan (Sanggau), South Sulawesi (Luwu) and West Papua (Sorong). The project has commenced for full implementation since January 2022 and for 72 months. In order to support the project implementation, FAO and UNDP are willing to recruit a Farming Systems, Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Specialist for this FOLUR Project. Reporting Lines The Farming Systems, Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Specialist provides support and reports directly to National Project Manager (NPM) to consistently implement UNDP, FAO, and/or project’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as well as the Government of Indonesia’s rules and regulations. Indirectly, the Farming Systems, Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Specialist will report to FAO Representative for Indonesia through Assistant FAO Representative – Programme.

Technical Focus

Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Livelihoods, Integrated Landscape Management, Value Chains, Project Management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical advisory guidance to the project teams on sustainable production, diversified farming systems, and application of good agricultural practices. • Ensure consistency, coherency and effectiveness of capacity building delivered to extension services and local farmers across the project jurisdictions, including the enhancement of capacities of farmers and their organizations for problem/situation analysis, action learning and the participatory formulation of management solutions taking into consideration the gender and social equity aspects. • Advise on the formulation and review of options for production and natural resource management (including livelihood support alternatives) in order to identify and take into account their potential direct and indirect implications for social, productive and environmental conditions at farm, community and landscape levels, and advise Gender-Safeguards specialist on corresponding safeguarding measures/adjustments that may be needed. • Coordinate project activities with officials and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as well as provincial and district forestry, agriculture and plantation offices, facilitating engagement with national and subnational stakeholders and ensuring alignment with sectoral initiatives. • Oversee the design and implementation low-value grant mechanism for on-farm improvements, alternative livelihoods, community development, etc. • Work closely with the other project team members, providing technical guidance and promoting sustainable production and resilient farming systems. • In cooperation with Project Assistant and other project team members, provide support to National Project Manager in preparing project reports especially bi-annual and annual reports as well as other project reports as required. • Perform other tasks assigned by the project as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in agriculture, forestry, or socio-economics. • Minimum 5 years of professional experience, preferably in the field of agriculture/forestry development, farming systems, livelihoods and natural resource management. • Working knowledge of English and Bahasa Indonesia • National of Indonesia

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus. • Teamwork. • Communication. • Building Effective Relationships. • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity. • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment. • Building and promoting effective teams, including working in teams and empowering project staff to create an enabling gender equality environment on non-hierarchical bases. • Self-development, initiative-taking. • Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork including look for potential relevant partners to support the project activities. • Strong leadership and managerial skill with track records of management roles in a team of multi-diversity background. • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively. • Creating synergies through self-control. • Managing conflict. • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. • Informed and transparent decision-making. • Communication skills to exchange information, and key ideas in a manner that engages the audience and helps others to understand and retain messages about gender equality and parity. • Knowledge of and experience in supporting programmes of Government and FAO/UNDP development projects dealing with environmental issues will be highly desirable. • Strong knowledge and experience in project management support are essential. • Good inter-personal skills. • Full time availability for project management support duties is essential. • Familiar with Government and UN/UNDP/FAO procedures would be desirable. • Up-to-date computer skills required including knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. • Experience in handling of web-based management systems would be preferable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.