Project Background:
Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation project is a five year intervention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project aims to improve the sustainability of agriculture, forest, and land-use management through rehabilitating degraded rangelands, biodiversity conservation and enhancing and maintaining the livelihoods of Afghan rural communities in Khost, Laghman and Nuristan provinces in Afghanistan by employing the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approach. The project has three major components: (i) capacity-building at the national, sub-national, and district levels in community based natural resources management for sustainable rangeland and forest planning; (ii) Integrated management and restoration of degraded landscapes for biodiversity conservation and sustainable/regenerative rangeland management; (iii) Systematic creation and sharing of knowledge, project coordination, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and institutional capacity development.
The Senior GIS specialist will be responsible for all the geospatial data creation and management which would facilitate the implementation of participatory assessment and mapping of natural resources of the target districts. In addition, they will be preparing land-use/land-cover, watershed and topographic maps for RMAs and FMAs and target areas.
The Senior GIS specialist will closely work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in preparing maps of land-use/land-cover, rangeland hotspots, FMAs and RMAs, mission maps etc which would facilitate in devising strategies and plans for implementation of sustainable natural landscape planning. They will provide technical guidance for the implementation of forest restoration and management, agroforestry and small-scale greenhouses.
FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of senior GIS specialist. This position will support the work of the GEF-funded” Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation” project in Afghanistan.
The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Reporting Lines
The National Professional Officer (Programme) works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Afghanistan and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). The National Professional Officer (Programme) coordinates closely with FAO units and staff in Kabul (main office) and other field offices and seeks technical support and collaboration from the respective responsible units.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will contribute to the development of country programming, country-level development frameworks, formulation and preparation of programme and project concept notes and proposals and provide coordination and operational assistance.
Key Results
Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.
Key Functions
• Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required;
• Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities, including development and maintenance of communication tools (such as website, press releases and publications) and support to implementation of FAO's regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country;
• Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector;
• Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies, as required, and developing country level development frameworks, such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);
• Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
• Briefs, trains and supervises junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided;
• Performs other duties as required.
Specific Functions
• Provides technical support to the programme unit and other respective units on the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework (Four Betters) and mainstreaming of the Programme Priority Areas (PPA);
• Supports the achievement of the SDG agenda during the project preparation and implementation;
• Contributes to the development of the biennium work plan, and country risk log, and updates the Country Office Information Network (COIN) and the Programme Planning, Implementation Reporting and Evaluation Support System (PIRES) tasks related to the programme unit;
• Liaises with local, national and international institutions including UN agencies on the areas of FAO's activities in the country. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required;
• Manages Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)/TCP Facility (TCPF) projects tasks;
• Undertakes field visits as required and collects information and lesson learnt from the ongoing projects to develop new ideas for the project concept notes.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• National of Afghanistan.
• Advanced university degree or university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, food security, nutrition, management, or any other field related to the work of the organization.
• For an advanced degree at least three years of relevant experience in agricultural/food security/nutrition development and/or programme and projects management and implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.
• For a university degree at least five years of relevant experience in agricultural/food security/nutrition development and/or programme and projects management and implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of the official communication language used for FAO communication with the country (English).
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of the local language (Pashto and Dari).
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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy and strategy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, nutrition, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.
Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Project Background: Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation project is a five year intervention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (... Read More
