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.
Organizational Unit: FAAFG
Job Type
: Staff position
Type of Requisition: NPO (National Professional Officer)
Grade Level: N-1
Primary Location
: Afghanistan-Kabul
Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2009164
CCOG Code: 1A11
Organizational Setting
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 2022-2023, FAO will, under the life-saving assistance Outcome (1) of the UN Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF), focus on the following 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. Additionally, FAO will contribute towards resilience building activities under Outcome 2 of the TEF.
The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Reporting Lines
The National Professional Officer (Operations) works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and under the direct supervision of the National Operations Officer.
Technical Focus
Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment. Ensure the smooth functioning of projects operations, consistent service delivery and continuous evaluation and readjustment/improvement of the operational environment.
Key Results
Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities.
Key Functions
• Acts as a focal point for all matters related to the daily operation of the field project(s) assigned.
• Prepares project task force meetings and ensures the availability of secretarial support.
• Ensures timely provision of inputs for personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment/supplies and other needs related to project operations.
• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and, where, necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Assists with the management of the project budget and prepares revisions as required.
• Coordinates the timely preparation and submission of project progress and terminal reports required (as specified in the project agreements), as well as contributing to the preparation of analytical reports.
• Coordinates actions related to timely field project completion/closure, including identification of project follow-up requirements.
• Contributes to the preparation and/or assessment of new projects.
• Ensures the quality of data/documentation in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects in the country.
Specific Functions
• Acts as focal point for the assigned projects operational matters, takes appropriate routine action related to the day-to-day work related to project activities in line with the approved work plans; reports on emergency situations and briefs the National Operations Officer.
• Ensures the drafting and formatting of project documents and budget revisions/amendments in line with FAO project standard format.
• Ensures the project operational clearance and various technical clearance of project documents and takes action in a timely manner.
• Ensures the timely projects opening, closing and update the record of projects regularly in the FPMIS.
• Ensures the timey provision of inputs (personal, TSS, subcontracts, training, equipment and supplies) in accordance with project agreements.
• Participates in the preparation of project work plan, monitors progress and budget and advises team on the constraints.
• Reviews the implementation reports, including semi-annual progress reports and terminal reports, and ensures its timely submission.
• Monitors project budgets through mapping the expenditures with a view to assist in tracking delivery, identify errors in accounting against budget lines and ensure conformity with the financial regulations and administrative procedures of the Organization and donors, and as applicable request accounting corrections.
• Briefs and trains the project staff in the project cycle particularly in operations related matters including FPMIS.
• Performs other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• National of Afghanistan.
• Advanced (Masters) university degree in a field related to business/public administration, agriculture, economics, rural sociologies or a University (Bachelor) degree in a field related to business/public administration, agriculture, economics, rural sociologies and a minimum of three years of additional relevant experience.
• One year of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance; work experience/training in planning, project implementation and management/administration of humanitarian and non-humanitarian programmes including the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of projects, and operations procedures.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and of local languages (Pashto and/or Dari).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Additional relevant professional experience in Afghanistan, particularly in project management, public administration or project operations, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in public administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
• Staff members in this category are recruited locally and paid according to a local salary scale. Salary scales are reviewed periodically on the basis of comprehensive surveys of the best prevailing conditions of employment in the locality.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://icsc.un.org/Resources/SAD/Booklets/sabeng.pdf
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• 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/
• 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 your 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. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
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
