Community Mobilization Assistant

Job Summary:

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 Community Mobalization Assistant will facilitate implementation of project field activities at district and community level in close coordination with project stakeholders. In addition, s/he will support the implementation of the stakeholder engagement plan, gender action plan, environmental and social management plan in close collaboration with both national specialists and communities. S/he will mobilize communities for any project interventions in the target districts.

The community mobilizer will closely work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in mobilizing communities and facilitate in devising strategies and plans for implementation of sustainable natural landscape planning. S/he will facilitate implementation of forest restoration and management, agroforestry and small-scale greenhouses under various project outputs.

FAO is looking for three qualified national staff fill the position of Community Mobalization Assistant. 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 Community Mobilization Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and under the direct guidance/supervision National Professional Officer. 

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. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities

•   Support the implementation of the project activities at the district and local levels, in close collaboration with local stakeholders, including coordination of CBNRM and landscape planning process;

•   Support implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Gender Action Plan, and Environmental and Social Management Plan in close collaboration with the National Safeguards and Gender Expert;

•   Provide and channel guidance to local stakeholders and to local communities at learning sites and in the field.

•   Provide capacity development to RMAs/FMAs;

•   Support socio-economic survey of Nuristan NP under the lead of the National Social Safeguards and Gender Specialist;

•   Provide training and awareness raising to local stakeholders on sustainable rangeland management, forest restoration and management, and biodiversity conservation;

•   Support field-based M&E, together with local communities, of project environmental and socio-economic impacts.

•   Provide regular feedback and advance warning on conflicts, and assist with conflict resolution;

•   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;

•   Provide any other necessary support to the NPO in field implementation of the project;

•   Perform any other duties as required. 

Job Requirement:

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•   University degree (Bachelor) in agriculture, social sciences, natural resources management, forestry and watershed management.

•   A minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience in agriculture, social sciences, natural resources management, forestry, water and watershed management.

•   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

•   Prior work experience with international organizations, including INGOs, bilateral or multilateral agencies, and UN agencies is desirable;

•   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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• 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/ ; 
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ ;
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

Job Location: