Local expert on plant biodiversity
Provide technical support in plant biodiversity and sustainable agriculture
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Overview
Provide technical support in plant biodiversity and sustainable agriculture
You have:
- Advanced university degree/university degree/technical diploma/high school diploma in Biology or botany
- At least 3 years of experience in surveys on local diversity in southwestern Angola
- Working knowledge of Spanish or English
- National of Angola
Organizational Setting
FAO's work in Angola is focused on three medium-term priority areas for technical support: - strengthening smallholder production and productivity to improve food security and nutrition; - enabling farmers to apply improved production techniques through Farmer Field Schools; enhancing family farming capacity for commercialization and value chain approach, strengthening sustainable management of natural resources; - increasing resilience of rural livelihoods to climatic shock and climate change, through the development and application of an integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.
In the context of the activities implemented with Farmer Field Schools (FFS), the FAO experience in Angola started in 2005 with FAO’s Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS). The positive SPFS impact led the FFS approach to be recognized by the MINAGRIF as the preferred capacity-building methodology for family farmers. FAO is currently the agency of reference in rural development and FFS is recognized by public institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations.
The FFS approach has been scaled up by several Projects such as the IFAD-funded Market-Oriented Smallholder Agriculture Project (MOSAP I); the United States-funded Disaster risk reduction/management to support agro-pastoral communities affected by recurrent droughts and other natural disasters in southern Angola and northern Namibia (PIRAN) and the GEF-funded Land Rehabilitation and Rangelands Management in Small Holders Agro-pastoral Production Systems in Southwestern Angola (RETESA). Those projects better defined FFS in the context of southern Angola, incorporating livestock-related issues (pastures management, animal health, herbs management, etc.) as a key resilience-enabling factor for communities.
Currently, an increasing number of projects are going to be included in the portfolio of the country. The main objective of these projects is to strengthen and consolidate the FFS long-term interventions, which have been developed in Angola over the last few years.
Reporting Lines
Under the general supervision of the SPAA-FRESAN Head of Mission, the candidate will provide technical support in his/her area of expertise for the proper execution of the SPAA mission and deliver all the respective reports and inputs according to the work plan.
Technical Focus
The candidate will be responsible for providing information and sensitizing FRESAN project technicians and producers of 6 FFS to encourage (1) the reproduction of useful wild species, (2) the reduction of deforestation through the generation of other income alternatives, (3) the implementation of experimental agroforestry and silvopastoral systems and (4) the establishment of vulnerable areas for conservation, strict protection of biodiversity and regeneration of vegetation.
He/she will provide technical support and ensure a good implementation of activities related to his/her area of expertise in line with the mission results framework and work plan.
Tasks and responsibilities
In collaboration with the SPAA-FRESAN Head of Mission and a multidisciplinary team, support with the following activities: • Provide inputs on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques related to their expertise and adapted to the local context of southern Angola. • Participate in field data collection on the uses, characteristics, and benefits of wild plants used by farmers in southwest Angola. • Provide training to local project technicians on the conservation and protection of wild vegetation and raise awareness of its importance for sustainable agriculture. • Participate in the planning and execution of Participatory Surveys with an Agroecological Approach in 6 FFS of the project. • Provide technical advice for the identification of key critical areas in and around the FFS investigated for the conservation, protection, and restoration of native vegetation. • Provide technical advice for the implementation of agroforestry systems with the best associations between wild and cultivated species.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree/ University degree/technical diploma/high school diploma in Biology or botany; • At least 3 years of experience in surveys on local diversity in southwestern Angola; • Working knowledge of Spanish or English. • National of Angola.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Field work experience in southwestern Angola. • High experience in herbarium work and vegetation surveys. • Experience in working with local communities on the use of biodiversity resources. • Familiarity with climate-resilient sustainable agriculture and/or sustainable forest management. • Familiarity with the FFS methodology.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a successful survey you conducted on local biodiversity? | This assesses your practical experience and outcomes related to local biodiversity. | Share specific examples of your surveys, methodologies used, and results. |
| How do you approach training local communities on biodiversity conservation? | The interviewer wants to understand your community engagement strategies. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you implement to promote climate-smart agriculture in your role? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenge you faced in a project involving biodiversity and how you overcame it. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure sustainable use of biodiversity resources in agroforestry systems? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 2 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
fao.org
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