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 position is located in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Reporting Lines

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

Technical Focus

Assist the International Security Officer in providing 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 International Security Officer, Security Services (CSLS at FAO headquarters, advice to the FAO Representative with regard to maintaining the safety and security of FAO personnel, premises and assets in compliance with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) and FAO Security Management Policies and Principles. In the absence of the International Security Officer, act as Agency Security Focal Point (SFP).
• Monitor and carry out, as necessary, the implementation of the technical security measures as outlined in the Security Plan, Security Risk Management (SRM), Residential Security Measures (RSM), Security Risk Compliance Assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated documents which ensure that the Country Office as well as the field offices have an acceptable level of required security-related compliance measures.
• Monitor the security situation across the county, and coordinate and undertake security risk assessment for the Country Office as well as overall sub offices and provide FAO Representative with independent analysis of emerging security threats to FAO personnel, operations, premises and assets. Facilitate the implementation of recommended prevention and mitigation measures.
• Maintain updated security information, prepare periodical situation reports ensuring that FAO Representative and the Field Security Unit at headquarters are kept regularly informed of security situation.
• Prepare Contingency Plans and SOPs for central and field offices, and be instrumental in implementing the enhanced security measures; and ensure staff members and personnel are familiar and adhere with the related guidelines.
• Conduct training/briefing on safety and security procedures, convoy procedures, security and evacuation procedures and other necessary security issues and precautions are undertaken.
• Conduct regular security briefings to all staff and personnel and to those appointed to the field or on mission.
• Provide systematic reporting on security incidents to FAO Representative and the Field Security Unit at headquarters.'
• Conduct periodic security assessments of FAO premises and equipment; and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions, as per the approved Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM).
• Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment/infrastructure.
• Ensure FAO's participation in the United Nations Security Management Team (SMT) and Security Cell meetings. Establish and maintain regular contact with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and all relevant national authorities including national security agencies as appropriate.
• Perform any other relevant duties.

Specific Functions

• Ensure the implementation and personnel's participation in FAO Security Notification System.
• Undertake missions to the program sites and assess prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends and advise FAO personnel, project personnel and eligible family members on potential security issues.
• Plan and coordinate the mandatory safety drills in FAO premises at the duty station.
• Directly supervise security equipment and security personnel (LSAs), including inventory, extended training and performance of security contractors, guards and security escorts personnel, if applicable. Provide technical guidance to LSAs.