Rangeland Rehabilitation Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components\: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rainfed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods. An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

Reporting Lines

The Rangeland Rehabilitation Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Advisor (Natural Resources Management) under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus

Contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of the project component on “Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests, and natural resources to support rural livelihoods”.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the preparation of comprehensive inventory and mapping of selected rangeland areas in the project target regions with key focus on priority rangeland sites identified by the National Center for Vegetation Cover (NCVC) for the implementation of the rangeland and community grazing management action plan.
• Update documentation of potential innovative technologies and practices for rangeland rehabilitation with reference to countries with similar context as KSA.
• Review and update the selected innovative technologies and practices to be piloted and demonstrated at different sites for rangeland rehabilitation and conservation and update their documentation.
• Support the design, setup, monitoring, and documentation of pilot sites to test and demonstrate innovative technologies and practices for rangeland rehabilitation and sustainable rangeland management and community grazing including grazing plant genetic resources.
• Prepare and deliver practical need based technical training course for NCVC, MoEWA, and other stakeholders on rangeland rehabilitation and conservation.
• Prepare and update guideline for rangeland vegetation cover rehabilitation and conservation.
• Support update of framework of criteria and indicators for evaluating performance of innovative technologies and practices for rangeland rehabilitation and conservation and sustainable rangeland and community grazing management.
• Support preparation of strategy and plan for sustainable adoption and scaling up of technologies and practices for rangeland rehabilitation and sustainable rangeland and community grazing management.
• Assess the implications for current and planned rangeland rehabilitation initiatives including through the Saudi Green Initiative and document gaps, challenges, and opportunities.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and information and knowledge products on sustainable rangeland and community grazing management.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in natural resource management, rangeland ecology and management, environmental policy, development economics or related discipline (for Consultants only)
• A minimum of five years of working experience related to the above disciplines, including in-depth knowledge in rangeland rehabilitation and management, good practices and restoration policies, programs.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English for Personal Service Agreement, knowing one of the FAO language is an asset. For COF, working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge on rangeland rehabilitation and management, ecosystem monitoring, field survey and mapping and Geo-informatics.
• Knowledge of the UNCCD, CBD, and related UN and intergovernmental processes.
• In-depth knowledge of climate change, arid ecosystem, and land degradation and desertification .

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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