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 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 in Kabul – Afghanistan: with possible travel to inside the country as required and subject to security permitting.
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.
Reporting Lines
The senior GIS specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and under the direct guidance/supervision National Professional Officer/GEF program manager.
Technical Focus
Support the work of the GCP/AFG/102/GFF funded” Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation in Afghanistan” project.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Lead geospatial analysis and environmental and biodiversity resources assessment of target districts to be used in participatory assessments under Output 1.1.3 (Participatory assessment of local natural resources, land degradation and biodiversity in the target landscapes, integrated with geospatial data and environmental resources assessment).
• Work closely with other agency staff to develop their capacity and build ownership.
• Support capacity building on data collection, storage and management under Output 3.1.1 (Data on land degradation, biodiversity and natural assets is generated, centrally stored and shared through the ‘Centre of Excellence for NRM’), including strengthening of the ‘Centre of Excellence for NRM’.
• Conduct soil carbon, productivity and land cover analysis for selected districts of Khost, Nuristan and Laghman and contribute to the compilation of SDG indicator 15.3.1. Contribute to community-based monitoring process under Outputs 2.1.3 (Holistic, regenerative grazing practices and restoration interventions in rangeland), 2.1.5 (Sustainable forest management (SFM) implemented in 4,000 ha of forest areas for sustainable use of forest products) and 2.1.6 (Restoration/rehabilitation, reforestation and/or agroforestry implemented in 1,000 ha of degraded or deforested forest areas).
• Assess geospatial data available for selected provinces at national and international level.
• Provide input data to accomplish land cover and land use compilation or, when data are available through national sources, quality assurance/ quality control (QA/QC) analysis.
• Provide inputs for derivation of relevant agro-environmental indicators. (Output 3.1.1) (Data on land degradation, biodiversity and natural assets is generated, centrally stored and shared through the ‘Centre of Excellence for NRM’)
• Maintain a good network with local stakeholders;
• Work closely with the NPO and Kabul-based management staff to report on indicators;
• Assist the NPO in managing project staff and consultants working at field sites and ensure that their reports and results are delivered on time.
• Perform any other related duties as required
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree (Master) or University degree (Bachelor) in GIS and remote sensing, forestry, NRM, Water and Watershed Management.
• For advance degree at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience in crop mapping using geospatial technology, GIS and remote sensing.
• For university degree at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience in geospatial mapping and analysis, land use/landcover mapping and monitoring.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari);
• National of Afghanistan
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Ability to effectively coordinate an extensive, multi-stakeholder project with results-based management;
• Ability to deal with technical, and people management challenges, administer budgets and work effectively with all staff and with groups involved in the project;
• Experience in multi-stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects;
• Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings;
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines;
• Experience organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops at national and provincial level;
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with other staff/colleagues from different cultural backgrounds as well as with line departments, counterparts, and other stakeholders at the province level;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office package.
Selection Criteria
• Experience, Skills, and Abilities
• Qualification, Awareness, and Knowledge Sharing
• Demonstrate A High Level Of Effective Team Management
• Interpersonal and Administrative Skills
• Written and Oral/Verbal Communication Skills
• Knowledge of Context, stakeholders, Challenges, and Opportunities
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
• 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
Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2201709&tz=GMT%2B02%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FBerlin
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
