Natural Resource Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The assignment will be carried out under the Greening Agriculture Team, Near East Regional Office (RNE). The specialist will be required to support the work of the team which covers Rangeland management, agroforestry (agrosilvopastoral system), mangrove management, climate change adaptation, restoration, dryland forests, forest fire management, forest health (insect, diseases and invasive species control),

Reporting Lines

The specialist will report to the Team Leader – Senior Programme Officer (Forestry) with direct supervision from the relevant technical officers in the team.

Technical Focus

The consultancy aims to provide support to the team’s work on Rangeland management, agroforestry (agrosilvopastoral system), mangrove management, climate change adaptation, forest and landscape restoration, drylands forest management, forest fires, forest health (insect, diseases and invasive species control), and Mediterranean forests. The specialist will be involved in cross-sectoral work that includes forestry, agriculture, livestock management, and fisheries and aquaculture, contributing to FAO’s strategic objectives of making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable.

Below is the list of Four Key responses were identified under regional priority Greening Agriculture: • Enhance the sustainability and climate resilience of agricultural production practices, • Halting land and ecosystems degradation and biodiversity loss, • Promoting integrated water resources management. • Halting depletion of aquatic and marine resources.

Cross-cutting themes covered by the vacancy: • Technical expertise for general or narrow specialties in functional areas (e.g. dryland, livestock management, and Mediterranean forest experts, rangeland and silvopastoral management expert, mangrove expert, forest and land restoration specialists, monitoring experts, forest products and socio-economic experts, etc.) • Policy Advice and Governance • Statistics • Geographical Information Systems • Information Management • Outreach and advocacy • Programme/Project Development and Management • Monitoring and Evaluation

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of guidelines and practical tools and methodologies to promote effective climate change adaptation, through cross sectoral and participatory approaches, in alignment with the main relevant international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030. • Support the development and management of technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services. • Design and conduct research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise. • Liaison with relevant FAO units (or other organizations) relevant to their assignment to obtain guidance and advice on specific elements. • Contributes to the coordination, implementation and administration of assigned programmes/activities in accordance with FAO rules, procedures and systems. • As applicable, organization and participation in missions and other events in support of the delivery of FOA’s programme of work, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to beneficiaries of FAO support programmes and projects. • Contribution to relevant studies, publications and analyses, knowledge products and advocacy material related to Greening Agriculture’s area of work, including guidelines, capacity building and training material. • Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Consultants should hold an advanced degree in Forestry, Rangeland, silvopastoral management, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Livestock Management, Environmental Sciences, or related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. A first level degree with 2 years of additional experience may be considered as equivalent. PSA Subscribers must have the relevant educational background including specific academic or technical qualifications within the required field of expertise in Forestry, Rangeland, silvopastoral management, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Livestock Management, Environmental Sciences, or related field. One up to five years of relevant experience for C Category, at least five years’ relevant experience for B category, and at least 10 years relevant experience for consultants/PSA.SBS expected to carry out A category assignments. • Working knowledge of (level C) of English FAO language relevant to the assignment and knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work Near East and North Africa countries and other regions. • Extent and relevance of experience in Forestry, Rangeland, silvopastoral management, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Livestock Management, Environmental Sciences • Familiarity with regional context and ecosystems.

Selection Criteria

• Working experience is required in issues related to sustainable forest management, Silvopastoral Management, climate change, resilience, restoration, dryland forests, forest fire management, forest health (insect, diseases and invasive species control), and Mangrove forests. • Extent and relevance of technical work experience in one or more of the main areas of Greening Agriculture’s work programmes. • Extent and relevance of work experience in Near East North Africa countries, especially in developing or emerging countries. • Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals, in English, Arabic and French. • Extent of knowledge and experience to conduct (global) technical and policy analysis in topics related to Greening Agriculture’s work programmes. • Excellent communication skills. • Knowledge management experience, especially related to sustainable forest and landscape management in dryland landscapes, may be considered an asset.

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Added 3 days ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: fao.org