Job Detail

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 Security Services (CSLS) aims to assure a safe and secure operating environment and the continuity of operations in FAO Offices worldwide, supporting implementation of core activities related to safety and security of FAO personnel worldwide, and ensuring FAO compliance to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) guidelines and policy. The National Professional Officer (Safety and Security) supports the security aspects of FAO's activities in Kabul, Afghanistan. He/she is additionally responsible for supporting the country's UNSMS Designated Official for Security under the coordination of the Principal/Chief Security Adviser for the country.

The post is located in Security Services (CSLS) of the Logistics Services Division (CSL) and based in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Safety and Security) works under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, with the technical guidance of the Chief, Security Services (CSLS) and the Regional Security Adviser (CSLS).

Technical Focus

Provide operational support and advice to the FAO Representative on safety and security in the country.

Key Results

Effective and efficient protection of the integrity of FAO premises, assets and operations, as well as safety and security of FAO personnel.

Key Functions

•    Provide, in close collaboration with the Field Security Unit at headquarters, advice to the FAO Representative on maintaining the safety and security of FAO personnel, premises and assets, in line with UNSMS and FAO security management policies and guidelines.
•    Support the monitoring and implementation, as necessary, of technical security measures as outlined in the Area Security Plan, Security Risk Management (SRM) process document, Residential Security Measures (RSM), Security Risk Compliance Assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated documents.
•    Support the monitoring of the security situation across the country, support the coordination of security risk assessments for the Country Office and sub-offices and provide the FAO Representative with an independent analysis of emerging security threats to FAO personnel, operations, premises and assets. Facilitate the implementation of recommended prevention and mitigation measures.
•    Assist the FAO Decentralized Office in maintaining up-to-date security information, and prepare periodical situation reports, ensuring that the FAO Representative and the Field Security Unit at headquarters are regularly informed of the security situation.
•    Prepare Contingency Plans and SOPs for the country office and sub-offices and be instrumental in implementing enhanced security measures.
•    Conduct training/briefing on safety and security procedures, including convoy and evacuation procedures, and ensure personnel are familiar with and adhere to security guidelines and precautions.
•    Delivery regular security briefings to all FAO personnel based in or on mission to the country.
•    Systematically report security incidents to the FAO Representative and Field Security Unit at headquarters.
•    Assist in conducting periodic security assessments of FAO premises and equipment; and provide advice on gaps in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions, as per the approved Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM).
•    Provide support in the selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment/infrastructure.
•    Ensure FAO's participation in the United Nations Security Management Team (SMT) and Security Cell meetings, acting as second alternate to the FAO Representative at SMT meetings for Security Cell meetings. Support liaison with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and relevant law enforcement authorities including national security agencies, as appropriate.
•    Perform any other relevant duties.

Specific Functions

•    Support the implementation of and personnel's participation in the FAO Emergency Notification System.
•    Undertake missions to program sites and assess prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends, and advise FAO personnel, project personnel and eligible family members of potential security issues.
•    Support the planning and coordination of mandatory safety drills in FAO premises at the duty station.
•    Support the management of security equipment and personnel, including inventory, the provision of extended training, and the performance of security contractors, guards and security escort personnel, if applicable.