Remote: Forest and Biodiversity Specialist

Mar 23, 2023 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
View Original

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy.
In 2023, FAO will contribute to the humanitarian components of the UN Strategic Framework 2023-2025 through four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. FAO will also contribute towards resilience building activities and longer-term transformational processes as part of the implementation of the UN Strategic Framework 2023-2025.

Forest and Biodiversity Specialist

Job Posting: 22/Mar/2023

Closure Date: 05/Apr/2023, 4:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FAAFG

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Home-Based

Duration: 5 months ( 30 Working days )

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of the applicant's personal device

  • FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
  • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
  • Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
  • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
  • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Reporting Lines

The Forest and Biodiversity Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, and the direct supervision of the Head of the Emergency and Climate Change Environment and DRR Team.



Technical Focus

Support the work of the GCP/AFG/084/GFF funded "Community-Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan" project. The project activities are implemented successfully, timely, and effectively and conform to the project's objectives. The position holder will ensure strong coordination, partnership and follow up with stakeholders as well as the beneficiaries.



Tasks and responsibilities

  • Work with the International Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialist to develop a nation-wide methodology – and a training programme thereon – for conducting fine-scale inventories of forest and rangeland resources.
  • Work with the International Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialist to undertake a forest and rangeland resources inventory and provide technical reports for the following:
  • classification of rangeland and forest ecosystem types;
  • current extent of rangeland and forest ecosystems;
  • ecosystem goods and services provided by these ecosystems;
  • rangeland and forest condition, detailing degradation and threats to ecosystem functioning;
  • current status of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping; and
  • socio-ecological resilience of these ecosystems to current and future trends of global climate change.
  • Work with the International Natural Resource Management Institutional Capacity Development Specialist and the International Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialist to develop training material and relevant toolkits in local languages on local-level planning, implementation and M&E for SLM/SFM.
  • Deliver training and distribute toolkits to local communities in Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya provinces on participatory, community-based approaches to planning, implementation and M&E of SLM/SFM.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, identify areas where High Conservation-value Forests (HCVFs) occur in Kunar and Paktya through technical and community consultations.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, undertake biodiversity assessments in identified areas in Kunar and Paktya, focusing on threatened and rare species as well as economically valuable species.
  • Inform and provide technical support to communities to regulate the management of such areas in a manner that provides sustainable socio economic benefits through conserving ecosystem functioning.
  • Identify areas to establish community nurseries and woodlots through community participation.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, identify species to be planted as HCVFs, fuelwood and building materials through experts and community consultation meetings.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, establish nurseries and woodlots in selected areas using identified species to reduce pressure on forests through improved local access to fuelwood and building materials.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, manage and oversee the rehabilitation and restoration of 10,000 ha of HCVFs in selected areas to provide habitat for threatened, endangered and rare species.
  • In collaboration with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist and National Forestry Technicians, manage and oversee the rehabilitation and restoration of 20,000 ha of non-HCVFs in selected areas.
  • Work with the International Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialist to design a local‑level, participatory M&E system for rangeland, forest, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration, taking into account literacy levels, gender balance and the local language context.
  • Undertake participatory M&E within Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya with the relevant Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) staff using a learning-by-doing approach.
  • Design a methodology and framework for the M&E system and the process of undertaking M&E activities.
  • Consolidate and develop reports on the M&E system for rangeland, forest and biodiversity conservation as well as carbon sequestration that will feed back into the established knowledge hub as well as into the lessons learned.
  • Work with the International Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialist to collate best practices from similar projects within the country as well as neighbouring countries.
  • Work with the project team to synthesise collected best practices into guidelines to inform different user-groups/applications on the following:
  • training government on assessing land degradation and integrating SLM/SFM into sectoral planning and budgeting;
  • conducting fine-scale inventories of rangeland resources;
  • training government on facilitating community-based planning and M&E for SLM/SFM;
  • developing community-based and gender-responsive plans for SLM/SFM;
  • conducting pastoralist field schools on livestock husbandry and community-based rangeland management;
  • conducting biodiversity assessments in HCVFs;
  • regenerating/rehabilitating/restoring forests and implementing SFM; and
  • implementing climate-resilient SLM interventions in degraded rangelands.
  • Work with the project team to develop a strategy for effective knowledge management and information-sharing to be delivered to project beneficiaries as best-practice guidelines based on collected and synthesised information on inter alia: i) SLM/SFM measures; ii) rangelands and associated livestock; and iii) water conservation measures




CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced (Master’s) degree in forestry, environmental sciences, natural resource management or a related field.
  • At least 7 years’ professional experience in climate change, the forestry, biodiversity sector.
  • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian) for Consultants. For PSA, working knowledge of English.

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 essential;
  • Relevant experience in technical cooperation / research related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food security/NRM/ resilience building/rural livelihoods/agriculture/forestry/climate/land and water;
  • Previous experience with the UN is an advantage;
  • Ability to establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
  • Extent and relevance of experience in developing various strategic programming/technical documents and liaising with relevant stakeholders;
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Good knowledge of climate change negotiations, REDD+ Readiness, NFMS and REL/RL procedures and methodologies under the UNFCCC.
  • Demonstrated experience in forest monitoring, remote sensing and GIS.
  • Knowledge of greenhouse gas inventory preparation and land cover assessment.
  • Familiarity with FAO technical tools.
  • Experience with the United Nations or other international agencies.
  • Experience working with governments in developing countries.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in complex multi-cultural environments.
  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines.


Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
  • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
  • For more information, visit the FAO employment website
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

  • To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete the online profile. It is strongly recommended that the applicant's profile is accurate, complete and includes their employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
  • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
  • Once the profile is completed, please apply, and submit the application
  • Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered
  • Personal information provided on the application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. Applicants will be asked to provide applicant's consent before submitting the application. Applicants may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing the application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider the application
  • Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
  • The application will be screened based on the information provided in the online profile
  • It is encouraged that applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If applicants need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org