Natural Resources/Environmental Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.
The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility and supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria (FAOR), the AAD International Coordinator and the day-to-day supervision of the National Coordinator, the Incumbent’smain tasks will ensure the effective and efficient day to day assistance and implementation of monitoring activities including planning, monitoring and evaluation and reporting. More specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks: 

Technical Focus 

The Natural Resources/Environmental Specialist will play a pivotal role in the ACReSAL project aiming to provide technical assistance to the Nigerian government in the restoration of 350,000 degraded land in the nineteen (19) northern states. The specialist will oversee and guide project activities, assessments, capacity building, and policy alignment, while ensuring successful collaboration with stakeholders and contributing to knowledge sharing.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Providing technical support to for FAO’s Technical assistance to ACReSAL and AAD - GGW activities related to landscapes restoration services in Nigeria (e.g. GCP on knowledge for action and contributions to GGW, EU FAO-ICRAF, ACReSAL and SURAGGWA projects);
•    Mapping and analyses of stakeholder capacity learning needs and gaps including Strengthen capacity of Master trainers on large scale land restoration practices and approaches including on development of proposals of sub-projects for investments for communities.
•    Contribute to the content preparation, revising technical documents and facilitate logistical organization of training and regional workshops with partners.  
•    Supervise and facilitate communities’ consultations and the preparation and restoration of degraded lands in the planned ACReSAL States and/or other localities. 
•    Facilitate and supervise the seeding and reforestation of plots/sites of lands with herbaceous and woody seeds and seedlings prepared for restoration and rehabilitation. 
•    Develop Step by step procedures for the Land Restoration manual and provide support, appropriate methodologies and analysis at this level to choose those specific communities that would seek to participate in landscape restoration.;
•    Provide technical support to NTFP-related value chains for transformation, income generation and food/feed security activities (for ACReSAL and GGW). 
•    Contribute to socio-economic impact assessments and documentation on priority value chains in ACReSAL/GGW, including those selected for their nutritional and health value. 
•    Carry out socio-economic and ecological monitoring with the communities of these planted/seeded plots, 
•    Support training on and collection of restoration seeds of local species (woody, herbaceous) for the next planting season.  
•    Collect all the necessary data and photos required for monitoring and reporting on field activities (geo-referencing data; areas covered; survival rates, etc.); 
•    Carry out and supervise socio-economic and nutritional surveys with ACReSAL/GGW communities and promote the processing of NTFPs;
•    Respond to technical related forestry/natural resources issues and land restoration; feedback and clarifications, supporting the country Office. 
•    Produce a quarterly activity progress report and a final report. 
•    Perform any other duties as required.
•    Coordinate activities across the team and collaborate effectively with other experts and stakeholders.
•    Conduct surveys to identify biophysical and social drivers of degraded lands and recommend adaptation and mitigation approaches.
•    Assess the awareness of local communities regarding restoration of degraded land, threats, climate change trends, and opportunities for improved management.
•    Review and analyse state-level policies related to mangrove management and environmental protection.
•    Identify links between social protection components and mangrove management for community livelihood resilience.
•    Collaborate with experts to document impacts, publish success stories, and contribute to project results dissemination.
•    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Specialized university degree or advanced university degree in relevant field (Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Ecosystem Management).
•    Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in environmental projects, particularly mangrove ecosystems management, biodiversity, environmental impact assessments, and ecosystem restoration.
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Nigeria

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Strong stakeholder engagement and fieldwork skills.
•    Previous experience in Nigerian coastal areas, specifically in mangrove ecosystems.
•    Familiarity with international donors' projects is preferred.
•    Proficient computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).
•    Fluent in English and intermediate proficiency in any main Nigerian language (Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin).

Selection Criteria

•    Proficiency in relevant software tools, including GIS and data analysis tools, and environmental modelling software.
•    Knowledge of national and sub-national environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 
•    Excellent written and spoken English skills.
•    Nigerian nationality with working experience in coastal/mangrove landscapes within the country

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION