Specialist in Anthropology and Traditional Agricultural Systems (GIAHS)

Organizational Setting

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems is a FAO program that seeks to: leverage national and international recognition of the importance of agricultural heritage systems and institutional support for their safeguards; build capacity on local farming communities and local and national institutes to conserve and manage GIAHS, generate income and add economic value to goods and services on such systems in a sustainable fashion. To promote enabling regulatory Policies and incentive environments to support the conservation, evolutionary adaptation and viability of GIAHS.

To be considered a GIAHS, the agricultural systems must show its global historical and current importance considering five criteria:
Food and Livelihood security, Agrobiodiversity, Local and Traditional Knowledge systems, Culture, Value Systems and Social Organizations, Landscape and Seascape features. 

The REDESER Project is financed by GEF and implemented by FAO in the semi-arid region of Brazil (Caatinga biome). The objective of the project is to Halt and reverse the process of desertification through actions to address increasingly strong causes of land degradation and biodiversity loss in Caatinga ecosystems located in Areas Susceptible to Desertification, which cover 1.34 million Km (16% of Brazil) and are home to 34.8 million people (17%). The project activities are developed in four territories: Araripe, in southern Ceará; Seridó, in southern Rio Grande do Norte; Uauá, in Northeastern Bahia; and Xingó, in western Alagoas. 

In Uauá Territory, comprising Uauá and Monte Santo municipalities, the project implements activities at “Fundo de Pasto” communities. The “Fundo de Pasto” agricultural systems are complex systems characterized by the common use of semi-arid lands for livestock production, focused on goats, extractivism of native semi-arid products and family lands intended for agriculture production. This system represents an innovative and dynamic way to manage the caatinga bioma on Brazil, in a mutual and ever going adaptation process of environmental conditions and social dynamics.

The “Fundo de Pasto” agricultural systems represent a heritage of rural communities of the North state of Bahia, that for almost three centuries reproduces a unique livelihood in an intricate relationship with Caatinga biome.  

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Representative in FAO Brazil – Programme.

Technical Focus

Under the supervision of the Assistant Representative of FAO Brazil, and with the technical guidance of the Environmental Technical Area Coordination and the PPG Project Coordinator (FAO Brazil), the specialist will be responsible for conducting the necessary activities to support the preparation of the Scientific-Technical Dossier, aiming at the submission of the candidature of the Traditional Agricultural System of Fundo de Pasto to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme.

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Conduct research to prepare anthropological technical-scientific reports focusing on worldview and agriculture; ethnic categories of territorial organization; forms of social and productive organization; sociability and cooperation in agricultural production; knowledge and meanings related to agrobiodiversity and biodiversity; and traditional agricultural systems.
•    Review and update the preliminary diagnosis, integrating additional information collected from communities, local organizations, and partner institutions, using an anthropological approach.
•    Ensure that all five GIAHS criteria (Food Security, Agrobiodiversity, Traditional Knowledge, Social Organization and Cultural Values, and Landscape) are properly documented and evidenced from an anthropological perspective.
•    Conduct additional surveys (when necessary) to address any information gaps identified within the GIAHS criteria.
•    Organize maps, photographic records, testimonials, and other evidence to strengthen the candidature.
•    Include technical annexes, bibliography, and other supporting documentation required for the candidature.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en 
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia  
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en  
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING: 

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master's or PhD in Social Anthropology, Sociology, or equivalent areas.
•    At least 5 years of experience in data collection and preparation of technical-scientific reports in territories of traditional communities on: worldview and agriculture; ethnic categories of territorial organization; forms of social and productive organization; sociability and forms of cooperation in agricultural production; knowledge and meanings of agrobiodiversity and biodiversity; traditional agricultural systems;
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Portuguese. 
•    National of Brazil or resident with work permit.

FAO Core Competencies 

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    At least 5 years of experience in conducting research for the preparation of anthropological technical-scientific reports focused on the identification and territorial delimitation of traditional peoples and communities, including historical-anthropological surveys, territorialization processes, and land tenure regularization.
•    Experience in preparing technical-scientific dossiers for submission to the GIAHS/FAO Programme.
•    Technical work experience with traditional Fundo de Pasto communities.
•    Technical work experience with traditional communities in the Brazilian semi-arid region.
•    Knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.