Sand Encroachment Control Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). 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 will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development programme that has recently been 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 Advisors to each of the nine components. Each Component Technical Advisors 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.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Advisor under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus

Contribute to the accomplishment of the project Outcome 2.5: “Innovative practices and technologies for sand fixation and sand encroachment control developed and promoted”.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review published information, reports, and documents, develop a benchmark on best practices and lesson learnt from international and national experience in the field of sand dune fixation and control of sand encroachment. • Assess the affected areas using high spatial resolution satellite data to confirm the presence of sand deposits, dunes, and sand encroachment in KSA. • Support the selection, setup, operation, and maintenance of a wind erosion and sand encroachment monitoring station at a selected pilot locations following international standards and best practices. • Develop models of sand movements and further generates an encroachment risk index map of potential encroachment risk areas in KSA. • Model sand movement using factors such as wind speed and surface roughness using remotely sensed data and a set of meteorological parameters. • Mapping areas of high to medium risks of sand movement in KSA specially near urban areas and transportation network • Carry out the field studies to validate the satellite data results assessment of sand encroachment in KSA. • Identify triggering factors, depicted in the form of maps according to their priority and effects. • Design tailored training modules on relevant topics, i.e., source mapping, risk/vulnerability assessment. • Assist with the organization of workshops and meetings, including training engaging experts and stakeholder • Support the setup of sand dune fixation and sand encroachment control pilot demonstration sites in affected regions. • Support developing of the related strategies and plans. • Any other duties pertaining to this consultancy as may be determined by the FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in natural resource management, environmental policy, development economics or related discipline. • A minimum of five years of working experience related to the above disciplines, including in-depth knowledge in monitoring sand encroachment stations, good practices, including sand dunes fixation and reducing sand encroachment related issues and sustainable land/water management and restoration policies, programs. • Working knowledge (level C) of English for Personal Service Agreement, knowing one of the FAO 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

• Demonstrated knowledge on desertification, land degradation, ecosystem monitoring, sand encroachment particularly modelling, mapping and Geo-informatics. • Solid knowledge of the UNCCD, related UN and intergovernmental processes. • In-depth knowledge of climate change, arid ecosystem and desertification and land degradation.