Rangeland Management Specialist

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 Rangeland Management Specialist will be responsible to lead the implementation of participatory assessment of rangeland and its biodiversity (flora and fauna) of the target districts and develop and implement holistic best practices in rangeland management. In addition, s/he will be preparing community-based rangeland and landscape management plans. S/he will also be extensively involved in capacity building of the stakeholders.

The Rangeland Management Specialist will closely work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in devising strategies and plans for implementation of sustainable rangeland planning. S/he will provide technical guidance for the implementation of rangeland restoration and management, agroforestry and small-scale greenhouses under various project outputs.

FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of Rangeland Management 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 Rangeland Management 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. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities

•   Support the development of training program under Output 1.1.1 (building on existing training programs and modules from previous initiatives).

•   Support the implementation of the 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) and the CBNRM and holistic grazing plans under Outputs 1.1.4 (To develop CBNRM plans in an inclusive and participatory process supporting restoration and sustainable plans for rangelands and forests) and 2.1.3 (Holistic, regenerative grazing practices and restoration interventions).

•   Work closely with agency staff and local stakeholders to develop their capacity with regard to sustainable rangeland management and build ownership.

•   Lead the establishment of the learning sites under Output 2.1.1 (Learning sites established in three target districts for the effective dissemination of best practices of regenerative grazing and rangeland management)

•   Lead the development and implementation of pastoralist field schools under Output 2.1.2 (Pastoralist-centric, gender-sensitive field schools implemented on sustainable and regenerative rangeland management and biodiversity-friendly practices).

•   Provide guidance and support for the implementation of holistic grazing and rangeland management under Output 2.1.3 (Holistic, regenerative grazing practices and restoration interventions) and forest restoration and management under Output 2.1.4 (Provision of technical assistance and support to women to operate small-scale greenhouses for income generation/household food security), in line with the CBNRM plans.

•   Support capacity building efforts under Outputs 3.1.1 (Data on land degradation, biodiversity and natural assets is generated, centrally stored and shared through the ‘Centre of Excellence for NRM’) and 3.2.2 (Provision of 10 small research grants for universities to conduct research on topics relevant to the project such as biodiversity surveys, ecosystem valuation and natural capital, socio-economic surveys, Eastern Forest Complex ecosystem services, and climate change impacts).

•   Support knowledge management and M&E.

•   In consultation with FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) livestock experts and WCS, provide technical guidance on animal health and the human-livestock-wildlife interface for the activities implemented under Components 1 and 2.

•   Maintain a good network with local stakeholders;

•   Work closely with the NPM and NPO and Kabul-based management staff to report on indicators;

•   Assist the NPM/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 NPM/NPO in field implementation of the project;

•   Perform any other related duties as required

Job Requirement:

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•   Advanced degree (Master) or University degree (Bachelor) in rangeland, agronomy, animal husbandry, forestry, environmental sciences, natural resource management, and watershed management.

•   For advance degree at least five (5) years of relevant work experience in natural resource management, forestry, rangeland, water and watershed management.

•   For university degree at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience in natural resource management, forestry, rangeland, 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. 

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