National Specialist on Agrobiodiversity Conservation communication

Organizational Setting

FAO is implementing a Global Environmental Facility project, jointly with IOM, UNICEF and UN Women, titled “Facilitating agrobiodiversity (ABD) conservation and sustainable use to promote food and nutritional resilience in Tajikistan”. The project objective is the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Securing of the national and globally significant agrobiodiversity and the associated knowledge and cultural aspects of traditional agro-ecosystems of Tajikistan. This encompasses the valuation and maintenance crop landraces, crop wild relatives and their associated knowledge and cultural methods within the traditional agro-ecosystems of Tajikistan.

The project supports building an evidence-based conservation planning approach that includes the production of inventories of diversity; mapping hotspots; the identification of stakeholders and the fostering of linkages between them. The project is organized into 3 components:

Component 1: Agrobiodiversity conservation and policy enhancement to benefit local communities; Component 2: Strengthening local community and breeding sector’s capacity to use the breadth of indigenous agrobiodiversity and ensure climate resilience; Component 3: Support policy development, knowledge management, improved financing and monitoring and evaluation.

The project is built on current initiatives and processes and involves several stakeholders, including farmers, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to assure its sustainability after the project is over. Furthermore, the project promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment by supporting women’s participation and decision-making capabilities; improving access to resources and technologies; and, creating financial opportunities for income-generating activities.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist on “Agrobiodiversity Conservation Communication” will work under the overall supervision of the FAOR in Tajikistan, and under the technical guidance and supervision of the Project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and National Technical Officer and/ or National Project Coordinator, and relevant technical and programme units in FAO Representation Office in Tajikistan, Sub-regional Office (SEC) and Regional (REU) and at Headquarters in Rome. He/She will co-operate closely with national counterparts, including UN Women and State Women Committee, whenever applicable, and local/ regional authorities (MOA, Protected Area, Forest Agency, Hukumat/ Jamoat), local farmers, women association, etc. and the joint PUNOs implemented this project.

Technical Focus

• Developed and produced number of gender-responsive catalogues, pamphlets, posters, explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Prepared number of materials, videos, contents and broadcasted through radio and television programmes, explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Developed target content to classes and distributed among the district schools or community centres, explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Developed communication strategy on agrobiodiversity in face of climate change.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Specialist on “Agrobiodiversity Conservation Communication” will be responsible for the below mentioned: • Produce the content of gender-responsive catalogues, pamphlets, posters explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Prepare the content of material for radio and television programmes explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Develop target content to classes in district schools or community centres explaining the value and knowledge concerning agrobiodiversity. • Liaise with the Office of Communication (OCC) will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:

FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf); FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm; FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en; Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf; Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf; UN map standards (available to staff); FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff). Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree(s) in agriculture, biology, PR, communication, social media, particularly related to gender, agriculture, agrobiodiversity, natural resources management, CWR genetic resources, and/ or related fields. • A minimum of 5 years work experience on planning, organization and conduction of PR and communication campaigns and events related to conservation and sustainable management of indigenous agrobiodiversity and endemic genetic resources/ reserves; develop PR/ communication materials and publications, as well as networking and cooperation with mass media, TV, radio, newspapers; • Writing and speaking knowledge of Tajik language is mandatory. Excellent knowledge of Russian and English is an asset. • National or Resident of Tajikistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the planning, organization and conduction of PR and communication campaigns and events related to conservation and sustainable management of indigenous agrobiodiversity and endemic genetic resources/ reserves; develop PR/ communication materials and publications, as well as networking and cooperation with mass media, TV, radio, newspapers; agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable development of ADB production and marketing; • Relevance of experience in the field of the group-based, market-led and participatory approach to PR/ communication, replication and scale-up of best practices on agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use, through engagement of mass media, TV, radio, media networks and social websites; • Relevance of knowledge and experience in climate reliance and natural resources management (land, water, forest, pasture); and breeding and production of agrobiodiversity crop products/ food crops, on-farm and in wild landscapes. • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions within Tajikistan. • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered an asset; • Proficiency in Tajik is a strong asset and an advantage.

Selection Criteria

• Prove professional education degree on agrobiodiversity, biology, PR/ communication or relevant fields; • Demonstratable experience (5 years) in the planning, organization and conduction of PR and communication campaigns and events related to conservation and sustainable management of indigenous agrobiodiversity and endemic genetic resources/ reserves; develop PR/ communication materials and publications, as well as networking and cooperation with mass media, TV, radio, newspaper; • Capacity for data collection (database) and information management system / exchanges… • Experience on development of PR/ communication materials/ publications and widespread via mass media; • Skills on preparation of analytical statements, articles/ policy briefs, etc. • Knowledge on the project areas of intervention; • Excellent working knowledge of Excel/ Word and other software (PowerPoint, etc.). • Analytical, and article writing skills;