INTERNATIONAL SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR THE PROJECT “GUMS FOR ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION”

Organizational Setting:

The FAO Representation in Sudan has been operating for more than 43 years, dating back to May 1977. The agriculture sector is a key element in contributing to Food Security and Nutrition in Sudan. The Organization provides technical, policy and other capacity development support within the broad context of strengthening national capacity to achieve results in the food security and livelihoods sector. FAO implements its programme in close collaboration with government line ministries, UN partners, international and national NGOs.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO in partnership with the Forests National Corporation (FNC), will implement the project “Gums for Adaptation and Mitigation in Sudan (GAMS): Enhancing adaptive capacity of local communities and restoring carbon sink potential of the Gum Arabic belt, expanding Africa’s Great Green Wall”. The project will support over the next five years smallholders in restoring their climate change resilient gum agroforestry systems and reforesting degraded lands, and rehabilitation of livestock corridors and associated rangelands to restore herd mobility needed for pastoral climate change adaptation and to protect the restored gum tree stands from livestock damage. The project will build the capacity of smallholder producer groups to produce high-quality gum, establish relationships with formal financial services and facilitate contract agreements with gum exporters, hence increasing producer prices and enhancing climate resilience of livelihoods and agro-sylvo-pastoral ecosystem services, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land use in Kordofan Region, Sudan.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Technical Adviser will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Sudan, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (based in Cairo) and in close coordination with the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus

The International Senior Technical Adviser will have a dual technical and managerial role. The technical role will focus on enhancing the capacity of smallholder gum Arabic producer associations (GAPAs) and improving their positioning in the gum value chain through facilitating better linkages with gum buyers, microfinance institutions and market authorities. The managerial role will focus on the effective and efficient deployment of consultant’s experts and sub-contractors hired by FAO under the project, facilitating the engagement of project partners and on ensuring that PMU administrative and financial procedures are managed in compliance with FAO and GCF rules. The Senior Technical Adviser will be based in Khartoum, with regular travel to the project Localities in North, West and South Kordofan States.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the Forest National Corporation (FNC), the other Executing Entity (EE) of the GAMS project, with the establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU) that will be based at the FNC Headquarters in Khartoum.
• Support the Project Coordinator in preparing, coordinating and overseeing detailed work plans/budget for the GAMS project.
• Ensure the effective and efficient deployment of experts and sub-contractors hired by FAO under the GAMS project, including planning and scheduling of the technical work, monitoring and ensuring the quality and timeliness of technical assistance provided and reporting on implementation of work plans.
• Provide technical guidance on capacity building for smallholder gum Arabic producer associations and facilitation of linkages with other gum value chain actors to the PMU, FNC State Coordination Units and Locality Teams and collaborating project partners.
• Provide technical and operational guidance to the national staff with regard to conducting data collection, analysis and report writing including the matters related to Monitoring and Evaluation and Environmental and Social Safeguards for the project.
• Establish and maintain effective links with the Government of the Republic of the Sudan officials and with national/international partners (including AFD, EU, IFAD) involved in related endeavours and ensure synergies with other similar ongoing activities (FAO and other organizations).
• Liaise and establish dialogues with main markets’ authorities in the project area for promotion of auction prices for clean dry gum Arabic.
• Plan and schedule FAO technical support services as per agreed work plans, develop TORs where required and ensure necessary clearances are obtained in a timely fashion.
• Review progress made towards the proposed work plan and stated project objectives and results on a quarterly basis.
• Assure the preparation and timely submission of project reports as per the rules and regulations of FAO and GCF requirements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in forestry, natural resources management, agricultural economics, development economics, environmental sciences or other related field.;
• At least 7 years’ experience in technical cooperation–related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to climate change adaptation, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and projects/programmes.
• Working knowledge of English and at least limited knowledge of Arabic (for COF.REG). Working knowledge of English (for PSA.SBS).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Relevant work experience in forestry and climate change adaptation projects;
• An excellent management capability and ability to work in teams are needed and the ability to make professional-quality reports is required;
• Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context.

Selection Criteria

• Work experience with international organizations and in technical cooperation projects supporting countries.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in pest and pesticide management.
• Ability to provide technical and advisory services.