Farming System Mapping Expert

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:

• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

FAO is mandated to transform the world through food and agriculture. It encompasses getting hunger back on a steep downward trend, transform agri-food systems to nourish people, nurture the planet and build resilient livelihoods and ecosystems, and commit to a rural transformation and invest expressly in vulnerable populations to reduce inequality, leaving no one behind. FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 is guided by three main global goals of eradicating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, eliminating poverty, fostering social progress, enhance rural development and sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate, and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations. To achieve this, we need to transform agrifood system to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Therefore, FAO is implementing a project to pilot the ‘Four Betters’ of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Nepal - Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and a Better Life. These four pillars align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address the critical gaps in Nepal’s current efforts towards achieving food and nutritional security including better environment and ultimately leading to better life. This project aims to pilot an integrated intervention, agrifood system mapping and prioritization, nutritional assessment, adoption of GIES activities and activities to support Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), in the selected local level to develop a Four Better Model Villages. This will serve as a critical milestone to showcase the pathway of agrifood systems transformation in achieving the SDGs and beyond.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision FAO Representative, and in close consultation with the Country Programme team and the International Expert, with technical guidance of Lead technical officer FAO RAP will undertake the following tasks\:

Technical Focus

As a Farming System Mapping Expert, the incumbent will technically focus on mapping and quantifying national farming systems and agrifood dynamics through remote sensing and big data analytics, developing a geospatial database to assess land suitability, performing baseline assessments on agrifood systems and nutrition, and creating integrated, FAO-aligned strategies for targeted farming system transformation and improvement, documented for stakeholder presentation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Farming System Mapping Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks\:

• Take stock of the FAO’s Four Better Initiative (Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life), Geographic Indications Environment and Sustainability (GIES), and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
• Conduct national farming system mapping for quantifying suitability and strategize the production planning on lands/species towards farming system transformation, including\:

o Map and quantify farming systems dynamics using multi-dated multi-sensor remotely sensed images and big data analytics.
o Mapping potential areas for growing nutrition-sensitive future smart food systems with focus on selected FSF species and farming systems in target areas.
o Support the development of comprehensive database including geospatial layers to characterize the biophysical/climatic condition for scaling.
o Support the development of crop requirements for land suitability matrix for selected crops of interest for project.

• Perform comprehensive baseline assessments of the agrifood systems, nutritional status, and economic conditions in the selected local level areas.
• Map and analyze the existing agrifood systems, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. Prioritize interventions based on the findings.
• Support the develop integrated intervention strategies that align with the FAO’s Four Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and a Better Life.
• Document all findings, methodologies, and recommendations in detailed reports.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in agriculture, food systems, environmental sciences, geoinformation systems or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in agriculture and farming systems, preferably in the context of agrifood systems transformation.
• Working knowledge of English. Knowledge of Nepali would be considered as an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience working on international development projects, particularly in countries facing similar challenges as Nepal.
• Extended analytical skills with experience in data analysis and interpretation and deep learning.
• Familiarity with the food security and nutrition challenges in Nepal or similar contexts.
• Experience in the preparation, editing, and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.

Selection Criteria

• Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related
• Demonstrated practical and technical experience in national farming system mapping for quantifying suitability and strategize the production planning on lands/species towards farming system transformation.
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Proven ability to coordinate and work with government and community-based stakeholders, rights holders sensitively, cooperatively, and productively.
• At least (master’s or Ph.D.) in agriculture, food systems, environmental sciences, geoinformation systems or a related field.
• Proficiency in English with good communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate analytical skills with experience in data analysis and interpretation and deep learning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Teamwork and result oriented
• Ability to write the reports and publications with proven documents.
• Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset.
• Selection mode will follow pre-screening and interview.
• Understanding of the functioning of UN agencies, especially FAO working area or international development organization, and government agencies, is an asset.

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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT