Land Degradation Assessment and Monitoring Consultant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in October 1945 with the objective of eliminating hunger, improving nutrition and standards of living by increasing agricultural productivity. FAO coordinates the efforts of governments and technical agencies in programs for developing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and land and water resources. It also carries out research; provides technical assistance on projects in individual countries; operates educational programs through seminars and training centres; maintains information and support services, including keeping statistics on world production, trade, and consumption of agricultural commodities; and publishes a number of periodicals, yearbooks, and research bulletins.

FAO headquarters are in Rome, Italy and the organization has more than 180 members with offices throughout the world. Through the Botswana Office, FAO is collaborating with Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFRR), at the request of Government, to implement a national project to assess the status of land degradation and establish a monitoring system. The project will further develop a plan of action to manage land degradation, set voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and associated measures in order to comply with obligations of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The Land Degradation Assessment and Monitoring Consultant will support and undertake activities of the land degradation assessment and monitoring component of the project.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under overall managerial and operational guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Botswana and technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), with support from the HQ Technical Officer and guidance from the Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Lead, coordinate and undertake activities in Land degradation assessment and monitoring.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Prepare training materials on FAO tools and methodologies for integrated land monitoring and natural resources management (including support to the development of the Integrated Landscape Assessment Methodology (ILAM).
• Conduct training on land assessment and monitoring.
• Supervise the land assessment and monitoring activities by the TWG.
• Develop a manual with Standard Operating Procedures and tools for conducting land assessment and monitoring in Botswana.
• Lead the development of national baseline data on land degradation; Identification of tools and activities to develop LDN metrics (land cover, soil organic carbon, land productivity & other national voluntary indicators).
• Lead the development of land degradation map to identify land degradation trends, hot spots and severity (low, moderate, severe) of degradation.
• Produce technical reports on completed milestones.
• Contribute to the LDN Target Setting process.
• Liaise and align efforts with the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes impact program.
• Prepare and submit reports of missions containing the main findings and recommendations.
• Support gender mainstreaming in all aspects of analysis and capacity building and monitoring and reporting
• Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of degree in Sustainable Land Management or Natural Resources Management.
• Minimum seven years’ experience working in a similar position; more specifically experience in land use assessment and monitoring.
• Knowledge and proficiency in GIS and remote sensing applications applied to natural resources monitoring and assessment.
• Fluency in English is desirable with good communication skills.
• Knowledge of other language used in Botswana is considered an asset.
• National of Botswana or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience and skills in delivering trainings on Natural Resources Management concepts, GIS and remote sensing applications.
• Good analytical, presentation and training skills.
• Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.