Natural Resources GIS-RS and Land Cover Specialist

Organizational Setting

The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project provides technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods. An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Technical Advisor to each of the nine components. Each Component Technical Advsior will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

FAO-Saudi Arabia is seeking for Natural Resources GIS / RS and Land Cover Expert.

Reporting Lines

The Natural Resources GIS / RS and Land Cover Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Advisor for the Natural Resources Management component under the overall guidance to the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus

Capacity development and knowledge management for Strengthening capacity of small-scale MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods sector in KSA.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Natural Resources GIS / RS and Land Cover Specialist will contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of the project component Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods. And will carry out the following tasks:

• Undertake comprehensive situation analysis on the use and application of GIS and remote sensing in management of forest, rangelands, and other natural resources within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) including key institutions, stakeholders, data need and sources, technologies used, existing capacity, etc. • Conduct study to benchmark international best practices and lesson learnt on the use of GIS and Remote Sensing in the management of forest, rangeland, national parks, and degraded lands in countries with similar social, cultural, and environmental context as KSA. • Review relevant KSA environment sector strategies, policies and frameworks and identify opportunity for promoting the application of GIS, Remote Sensing, and related technology to achieve strategic objectives and results. • Support geospatial analysis, field data collection, and analysis for Natural resources baseline studies to understand the status of natural resources in Saudi Arabia using internationally recognized methods. • Support application of geospatial technologies and tools in diagnostic studies conducted to fill critical natural resources management and environment conservation data and knowledge gaps. • Support development of geospatial function for a web based interactive platform for sharing information, knowledge, tools, and experiences for sustainable land management (KSA SLM Platform). • Develop guidelines for application of GIS and Remote Sensing in the development and application of frameworks, technologies, and practices for sustainable management of forest, rangeland, and degraded lands. • Develop and document GIS and Remote Sensing tool, methods, and approaches for the sustainable management of forest, rangelands, national parks, and degraded landscapes in KSA following international best practices. • Develop framework for integrating GIS and Remote Sensing in studies, assessments and surveys in relevant areas including land cover and land use mapping, soils survey, land degradation, climate modelling, etc. • Support development of agriculture and rural development geo-spatial database with focus on the nine SRADP components. • Contribute to establishment of a system for routine monitoring of vegetation cover and land use change in target areas and support its implementation. • Assess GIS and Remote Sensing needs of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and National Centre for Vegetation Cover (NCVC) and proposed short, medium, and long-term capacity development plan to strengthen existing capacity. • Develop and deliver a need based technical training programme for MoEWA, NCVC, and selected stakeholders on GIS and Remote Sensing for sustainable management of forest, rangelands, national parks, and degraded lands. • Support geo-spatial analysis for components of the Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development Project on need basis.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in GIS, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Systems, Natural Resources, Environment, Geography or a related field; • Minimum five years of experience in GIS, Remote sensing, land cover and land use survey and mapping including planning and implementing landcover and land use mapping activities and application of GIS and Remote Sensing tools and systems for natural resources management. • Working knowledge (level C) of English for Personal Service Agreement, knowing one of the FAOUN language is an asset. For COF, working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language.

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, particularly in field positions is desirable; • Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to natural resources, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes; • Relevance and extent of experience in working with multidisciplinary teams, government development systems, and inter-governmental bodies; • Extent and relevance of experience and proven records of successfully completing GIS, Remote sensing, and Land cover and land use mapping systems is essential; • Extent and relevance of experience in successful implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of GIS, Remote sensing, and land cover and land use system; • Demonstrated capacity to coordinate country level activities and to organise and lead consultative processes involving several partner institutions and stakeholders; • Extent and relevance of experience in project management including familiarity with the development of results frameworks, logical framework, project work plans and budget; • Working knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong asset. • Well versed with the use of MS-Office programs (word, excel, power point, etc.,) and social media platforms.