Myanmar: National Land Resources and Land Use Planning Specialist

Oct 21, 2019 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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FAO Myanmar is implementing a project under a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) titled “Technical assistance in development of strategic tools for planning agriculture diversification and dietary improvement” to develop two strategic technical planning tools, which will be essential to inform the national agenda on the diversification of agriculture production systems and diets as set in the ADS and complementary MS-NPAN. The first is a Crop Suitability Assessment (install, use and adapt a software that is designed under the GAEZ (Global Agro- Ecological Zones) tool by FAO and the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIESA), to identify appropriate farming systems based on agro-ecological potential and the second is region-specific Food Graphics to promote dietary diversification. These two products are interlinked, each serving as a planning tool to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Myanmar. Increasing availability of better varieties of foods that are accessible and affordable can be achieved by encouraging the use of improved farming techniques (stable, risk mitigated and lucrative) that better leverage specific local agro-ecological and market potentials. As such, these tools will be crucial to inform the development of sub-national multi-sector nutrition action plans and support an agriculture sector that contributes to the reduction of malnutrition.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Myanmar and under the technical guidance of the Senior Nutrition & Food systems Officer, RAP (Lead Technical Officer), direct technical supervision of the International crop suitability Assessment/agro-ecologic zoning (AEZ) specialist, in close collaboration with the AFAOR (Programme),  FIRST Food Security and Nutrition Policy Specialist, Land Management Officer (RAP), Senior Land Tenure Adviser, Agronomist, Land Resource and Land Use & Land Planning Specialist, Nutrition Specialists, and Nutrition Communication Specialist, the incumbent will assist  in the development and day-to-day operation in  rolling out  of crop suitability assessment by applying the AEZ methodology, in close collaboration with Department of Planning and Department of Agriculture under Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI). The incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Establish a good working relationship with Department of Planning (DOP), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Agricultural Land Management and Statistics (DALMS) and Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
  • Establish and organize logistics of the Technical Task Force meetings organized by MoALI, UN agencies, I/NGOs and Civil Society Organizations engaged in land resources and land use planning.
  • Prepare a geographic database (geodatabase) for the project that includes standardized and reviewed GIS layers including administrative boundaries, commonly used thematic layers (e.g. roads, rivers/streams, inland water bodies, landcover, etc.--both raster and vector data), open source oceanographic, bathymetric and topographic raster datasets, mangrove/vegetation layers, and other relevant data. Consult Myanmar Information and Management Unit (MIMU) and Myanmar OneMap regarding the latest standard datasets particularly for sub-township administrative layers.
  • Draft theory of change report for roll-out of graphic with inputs from project team, supervisors and the Technical Task Team.
  • Assist the Agronomist/farming system specialist on  crop suitability assessment and agro-ecological zoning and its possible future use for land use planning.
  • Support Farming system specialist to conduct Farming systems assessment in selected priority areas.
  • Identify capacity building needs at national, district, township and community level in order to implement and maintain a township level integrated LUP (agriculture, forestry, water, soil and biodiversity conservation).
  • Design training program for authorities and communities for active participation in the planning process.
  • Conduct training of authorities and communities through learning by doing in developing the LUP.
  • Community based consultations and training sessions for active participation and ownership.
  • Organize and facilitate an advocacy workshop, to share the Action Plan for Implementation and IEC materials developed more widely with relevant stakeholders.
  • Lead the finalization of a single land management (spatial) plan for the project areas, consistent with the national land use policy
  • Package and organize the geo-database for easy use and updating by project team members throughout the life of the project.
  • Digitize and process all relevant geospatial data gathered which include geotagged areas of interests (e.g. coordinates of landing sites, ice plants, and others) from community walks and other information obtained during participatory mapping activities.
  • Carry out GIS and RS processing and analysis of all relevant geospatial data and layers to support land use and land cover mapping assessments using drone maps, free and open source satellite data (visible RGB, multispectral, RADAR), digitized georeferenced information.
  • Carry out specific GIS/RS based risk and hazard assessment such as visualization of inter-tidal lines/zones and community-reported changes in the identified project areas.
  • Prepare a simplified guidance document and additional maps to be used in the community-based planning activities including region/ state, township and village tract level maps featuring different layers including base layers (land use, roads, topographic, etc.)
  • Ensure follow-up and coordination related to the implementation of work plans and procurement plans. Cooperate and coordinate with other FAO projects and promote synergies in project implementation;
  • Identify agriculture policy messages as linked with food plate, submitted as policy brief.
  • Participate in subject relevant meetings in Myanmar as required.
  • Prepare and submit mission report after each mission and the end of assignment report before the termination of the contract; and
  • Perform others tasks as required and appropriate for successful implementation of the project.

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

Minimum Requirements

  • BSc in land management, land use planning, ITC, GIS or other relevant field
  • Minimum 5 years relevant experience
  • Experience in working with a UN agency or international NGO is desirable.
  • Myanmar national

FAO Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Experience in land use and land resources planning
  • Documented experience with digital mapping database development and GIS
  • Strong GIS and database management
  • Strong working relations with Government Ministries.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated Experience in GIS training in land use planning
  • Experience in writing and publishing technical reports for the government, international developmental agency or international NGO.
  • Previous working experience in another low and medium country is desirable.
  • Excellent communication in both oral and written English

How to apply

  • To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
  • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
  • If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org