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 โUTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWAโs Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programmeโ 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 rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWAโs capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.ย
An overall plan and budget are 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 Technical Advisors to each of the nine components. Each Component Technical Advisors 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.ย
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will report to the Land Degradation Control (LDC- National Professional Officer under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisors and technical team in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Technical Focus
Contribute to the accomplishment of the project Outcome 2: โInnovative practices and technologies pilot tested and adopted to restore and conserve natural vegetation cover and sustainably manage vital natural resourcesโ.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Define the vision, goals, sustainability targets, community values, and self-sufficiency level Targetโs for Eco-Villages.
โข ย ย Assess historical, environmental, and socio-economic factors relevant to sustainability, land use, and community well-being.
โข ย ย Develop objectives and a Concept Master Plan based on these factors and validate it with communities and authorities.
โข ย ย Identify required expertise (urban planning, landscape design, EIA, community engagement) for plan implementation.
โข ย ย Outline development needs: housing, transport, utilities, green spaces, and infrastructure.
โข ย ย Provide technical support and prepare outputs and budget for the master plan.
โข ย ย Create a detailed schedule for site surveys, stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and plan compilation.
โข ย ย Develop guidelines for implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
โข ย ย Prepare awareness and training materials on sustainable living for residents.
โข ย ย Define the way forward for execution, monitoring, and ongoing development of the eco-village
โข ย ย Assist with the organization of workshops and meetings, including training of experts and stakeholders.
โข ย ย Support developing of the related strategies and plans.
โข ย ย Any other duties pertaining to this consultancy as may be determined by the FAO ย ย
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย ย
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in natural resource management, environmental policy, development economics or related discipline.ย
โข ย ย A minimum of 10 years of working experience related to the above disciplines, including in-depth knowledge in monitoring sand encroachment stations, good practices, including sand dunes fixation and reducing sand encroachment related issues and sustainable land/water management and restoration policies, programs
โข ย ย Working knowledge of Arabic and English
โข ย ย National of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Demonstrated knowledge on desertification, land degradation, ecosystem monitoring, sand encroachment particularly modelling, mapping and Geo-informatics.ย
โข ย ย Solid knowledge of the UNCCD, related UN and intergovernmental processes.
โข ย ย In-depth knowledge of climate change, arid ecosystem and desertification and land degradation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing) 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/ย ย For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ย ย Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.ย