Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting 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 Neutrality Target Setting Consultant will support and undertake activities of the LDN Target setting 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 on the Voluntary LDN targets setting for Botswana, following the approach advised by the LDN Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP) of the GM of the UNCCD, which is supported by FAO and other international partners.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Oversee the LDN target setting process for Botswana in line with UNCCD and FAO guidelines.
• Coordinate and facilitate the establishment and functioning of the LDN National Working Group through;
• Ensuring a balanced representation and effective participation of government, science, private sector, development partners and civil society, focusing on land related sectors.
• Acting as a secretary of the LDN National working croup during meetings and consultations with stakeholders and performing facilitation role.
• Carryout the country’s analysis (desk review) of the LDN legal and institutional environment; assessing the interlinkages with other national development priorities (e.g., UNCCD's National Action Plans SWOT analysis and alignment process, Integrated Investment Frameworks for Sustainable Land Management , National Development Plans, UNFCCC's Nationally Determined Contributions, CBD's National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans) and supporting actions to mainstream LDN into the national development agenda.
• Prepare a National LDN Target Setting Leverage Plan to identify leverage opportunities for LDN, including the national SDG process and other development priorities.
• Support the LDAM expert and the TWG in the development of the national baseline data on land degradation and identification of LD hotspots and drivers.
• In close collaboration with TWG, prepare national voluntary targets and associated measures based on the defined LDN baseline and land degradation trends and hot spots for review and validation by the LDN National Working Group.
• Prepare a draft high-level note outlining the voluntary LDN targets of Botswana.
• Prepare report on LDN transformative projects/programmes and innovative finance with support from the LDN working group.
• Prepare final report summarizing the LDN target setting process.
• Liaise and align efforts with the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes impact program.
• Draft technical and analytical reports as requested (e.g., LDN leverage plan; national LDN baseline, established targets and identified measures; LDN legal/institutional environment, LDN trends and drivers; synthesis report on the LDN target setting process)
• Perform other duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of advanced university degree in environmental engineering, natural resource management, development economics, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience related to natural resource management.
• 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

• Demonstrated technical knowledge of GIS and remote sensing applied to natural resources monitoring and assessment at (sub) national level.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time..
• Good analytical and presentation skills.
• Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.
• Knowledge of the UNCCD and related Conventions.
• Experience in project management and monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in the facilitation of stakeholder engagement.