Technical Adviser (Spatial Land Resources Information Systems Expert)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind. 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 Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) of Saudi Arabia. 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 the 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 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 the 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 subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishers and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rainfed cereal 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. The position is located in the PMU of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines The Technical Adviser (Spatial Land Resources Information Systems Expert) reports to the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the technical guidance of the Land and Water Division (NSL) and the Digitalization and Informatics Division (CSI), and the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.

Technical Focus Support to capacity development for spatial land resources datasets and database systems in the National Centre for Vegetation Cover (NCVC) of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA).

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO’s Strategic Objectives.

Key Functions • Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions; • Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; • Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions • Advises on all matters related to the successful planning, implementation and monitoring of the sustainable land resources information system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, leads review of current status of Saudi Arabia land resources information and databases, and assesses needs and supports efforts to filling current gaps; • Supports MoEWA and specifically the National Centre Vegetation Cover (NCVC) in developing and undertaking baseline and diagnostic studies, conducting of inventory and mapping of forests and rangelands resources, national park, biodiversity hotspots, land desertification and all other natural resources under mandate of MoEWA; • Benchmarks best practices and systems for establishing, operating and maintaining comprehensive and functional land information system and derives lessons learnt; • Leads design, organises, maintains and monitors spatial databases and tools more specifically on forests, rangelands, national parks, biodiversity, and land desertification in accordance with the project document; • Reviews and validates the identified technical experts for the spatial data and systems, prepares their Term of References (ToRs) and follow-up their recruitment, and supervises the geo-spatial technical team, consultants and the support staff involved in preparation of dataset and database in carrying out their duties; • Leads preparation of geo-spatial related analysis for forests, rangelands, national parks, and desertification for inclusion into different related project outputs including background papers, sector reviews, technical reports, manuals, guidelines, checklists, and knowledge products; • Supports mapping of vegetation cover and land use change in target areas including around cities and highways, and prepares and updates vegetation cover and land use datasets and maps; • Leads formulation of strategy and framework for sustainable land resources management information system and supports the development and implementation of related sub systems following international best practices; • Coordinates the preparation and validation of framework for web based interactive platform for sharing information, knowledge, tools and experiences on sustainable land resources management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; • Coordinates the development and launch of a web-based sustainable land management platform for the NCVC following international best practices, and supports development of information and knowledge products from the systems; • Coordinates the development of data and information sharing protocols that would guide and support the NCVC in the dissemination of information and knowledge products to wide range of its stakeholders; • Undertakes capacity needs assessment of the NCVC/MoEWA in land information management and designs and implements capacity development programme to fill capacity gaps; • Leads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the south and the north for the land resources information systems.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in land resources, geospatial systems, spatial land resources information systems or a related field; • Seven years of relevant experience in spatial land resources management, information systems platforms design, implementation, and management; • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • 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 food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams; • Extent and relevance of experience and proven records of successfully completing spatial land resources information systems assignments is essential; • Extent and relevance of experience in successful implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of spatial land resources information systems; • 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.