Invasive Alien Species Management and Control Expert

Overview

Provide technical support for IAS prevention, control and field management in Nepal.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in ecology, biodiversity conservation, botany, zoology, forestry, agriculture, plant protection, natural resource management, environmental science or other relevant discipline
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in invasive alien species management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, plant protection, pest management, forest/agriculture ecology or related fields
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i) Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate. (ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services. (iii) assist and catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation. (iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation. (v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management

Nepal’s rich biodiversity and ecosystem services are increasingly affected by invasive alien species (IAS), which pose risks to native species, agriculture, livelihoods, food security, human health, and the social and cultural values of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Nepal has recorded 30 invasive plant species and 20 invasive animal species, reflecting the growing spread of IAS across different ecological zones, including mid-hill and river corridor landscapes.

The Government of Nepal has prioritized IAS management through the Nepal Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan 2025, the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030, and its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 6. These frameworks emphasize prevention, control, pathway management, early detection, rapid response, and management of priority invasive species.

In this context, FAO Nepal, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), is implementing the KBF-supported project “Effective Management of Invasive Alien Species for Ecosystem Benefits in Nepal.” The project will support policy and institutional strengthening, risk/threat assessment, quarantine and detection systems, community-based IAS management, and science-based control measures in priority sites. The IAS Management and Control Expert will provide technical support for designing, implementing and documenting IAS prevention, control, field management, pathway disruption, threat assessment, and related knowledge products under the project.

The broader objectives of the project are:

• Strengthen national policy, regulatory and institutional mechanisms for effective prevention, control and management of invasive alien species in Nepal. • Improve national and local capacities for IAS risk assessment, monitoring, early detection, rapid response and pathway management. • Promote science-based and participatory approaches for controlling priority invasive alien species in selected project sites, including the Trishuli River Corridor. • Support knowledge generation, awareness raising and documentation of best practices to reduce IAS impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services and local livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative of Nepal, and the direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme) in close consultation with Project Manager, Lead Technical Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), and the International Consultant, the expert will deliver below duties and responsibilities.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support for the implementation of the KBF-supported project “Effective Management of Invasive Alien Species for Ecosystem Benefits in Nepal”, with a focus on IAS prevention, control and field-level management. The role will assist with IAS risk and threat assessment, pathway management, early warning and rapid response, demonstration of science-based and participatory control measures, and documentation of best practices and knowledge products under the guidance of FAO and the project team. The assignment will contribute to minimizing IAS threats, breaking invasion pathways, and enhancing ecosystem services and benefits through coordinated and evidence-based support.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in reviewing the project document, results framework, workplan, NIAS SAP 2025, draft NBSAP 2025–2030, and relevant national and global guidance on IAS prevention, control, pathway management, early warning, rapid response and biodiversity threat assessment. • Support the development of a practical IAS biodiversity threat assessment methodology/guideline and contribute technical inputs on criteria for prioritizing species based on spread, impact, invasion pathways, risks to biodiversity, ecosystem services, agriculture, forests, water systems, livelihoods and feasibility of control. • Provide technical and documentation support to the FAO team in conducting field assessments in selected sites of the Trishuli River Corridor focusing on the priority invasive alien species, affected areas, key invasion pathways, and suitable demonstration sites reflecting different ecological and livelihood contexts. • Support the preparation of technical reports by compiling and organizing findings and recommendations from FAO-led field assessments and consultations with relevant institutions and community groups. • Assist in providing technical support for site-specific IAS control and management demonstrations, including prevention, pathway disruption, restoration of affected areas, prevention of re-invasion, and practical approaches such as IPM/FFS-based learning and safe use of selected IAS biomass, where technically feasible. • Assist in implementing early warning, rapid response and monitoring mechanisms by preparing simple reporting formats, response protocols, local focal point roles, and related technical inputs for the IAS App/Webpage for species identification, location reporting, photographs, monitoring records and follow-up actions. • Support capacity-building activities and assist in preparing training materials, technical notes, awareness messages, best practices, case studies, knowledge products and the final technical report with key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening future IAS prevention, control, monitoring and community-based management in Nepal.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in ecology, biodiversity conservation, botany, zoology, forestry, agriculture, plant protection, natural resource management, environmental science or other relevant discipline • At least five years of relevant professional experience in invasive alien species management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, plant protection, pest management, forest/agriculture ecology or related fields. • Working knowledge (level C) of English • National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in invasive alien species prevention, control, field-level management, pathway disruption, biodiversity threat assessment and ecological restoration. • Demonstrated knowledge of Nepal’s IAS management priorities, including NIAS SAP 2025, draft NBSAP 2025–2030, and relevant commitments under the CBD and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. • Proven experience in designing and implementing field assessments, participatory surveys, ecological monitoring, demonstration activities and community-based natural resource management. • Familiarity with IAS risk/threat assessment tools, early warning and rapid response mechanisms, monitoring systems, and practical approaches for prevention and control of priority invasive species. • Knowledge of Farmer Field School, Integrated Pest Management, community-based monitoring, participatory learning or local capacity-building approaches will be an asset. • Experience working with government institutions, local governments, research institutions, quarantine/customs offices, farmer groups, forest user groups, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women and youth groups. • Ability to prepare high-quality technical reports, guidelines, training materials, best practices, case studies, IEC materials and knowledge products related to IAS management. • Excellent analytical, facilitation, coordination, communication and report-writing skills, with the ability to work in English and Nepali and travel to project districts under diverse field conditions.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 hours ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: fao.org