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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

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

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing the project Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable ecosystems and communities through integrated watershed planning and management, investment in diversified agricultural value chains, agricultural and agroforestry systems and institutional capacity consistent with Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approaches. The potential for ecosystems to support the sustainable production of commodities, goods and services for subsistence and commercial use by individual farmers, farmer groups and MSMEs will be enhanced. The project will be implemented in 11 districts in Malawi over a period of 6 years, benefitting over 500,000 vulnerable people in rural communities, restoring, conserving or improving the management of over 250,000 ha of land and achieving net emission reductions or removals of 2.75 MtCO2e within the lifetime of project interventions.

The position is located in Lilongwe.

Reporting Lines

The Digital Information and Geospatial Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the CTA of EbAM project, in close coordination with the EbAM International M&E Officer; other project team members and implementing partners.

Technical Focus

In collaboration with the EbAM International M&E Officer, the consultant will design and deploy a Spatial Information Management System (SIMS) customized for the EbAM Project. The SIMS will integrate geospatial data acquisition, processing, storage, and visualization functionalities, and will be interoperable with the Project’s centralized Performance Management and Reporting System through standardized data exchange protocols and metadata frameworks.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead catchment delineation and conduct spatially explicit vulnerability and ecosystem risk hotspot assessments, generating high-resolution maps of priority micro-catchments to inform site-specific, ecosystem-based adaptation and integrated landscape management strategies.
• Undertake baseline and periodic geospatial monitoring of ecosystems and land use changes using advanced Remote Sensing and Earth Observation technologies to evaluate adaptation impacts and ecosystem health trends.
• In collaboration with the M&E team, design and operationalize a spatial information management system tailored to the project, enabling systematic collection, geo-referencing, and integration of biophysical, socio-economic, and ecosystem service data for adaptive management.
• Develop geo-locational profiles and produce thematic maps of ecosystem-based adaptation interventions and nature-based infrastructures (e.g., soil and water conservation measures, agroforestry plots, community woodlots, wetlands restoration sites) using GIS, GPS, and drone technologies.
• Coordinate the integration of geospatial and digital knowledge into technical guidelines and training curricula, embedding ecosystem-based approaches, spatial planning, and adaptive management principles within Farmer Field Schools and related extension platforms.
• Establish and routinely update a dynamic digital geo-database that consolidates multi-source datasets (climate, hydrology, biodiversity, livelihoods), ensuring accessibility for evidence-based decision-making, scenario modelling, and early warning systems.
• Produce and disseminate tailored digital knowledge products such as geospatial dashboards, interactive web-maps, and ecosystem service infographics for stakeholders to support adaptive planning, policy dialogue, and community awareness.
• Design and implement capacity development programs for project staff, government counterparts, and community partners on geospatial technologies, digital knowledge management, and decision-support tools for climate resilience and ecosystem-based adaptation
• Using GIS tools, including FAO in-house tools developed by the Forestry (NFO) team and other HQ divisions, support the generation of timely and relevant information for meetings with the EbAM project team, the FAO Country Office, the Project Steering Committee, and the Project Technical Committee and relevant stakeholders.
• Generate key information that feeds national statistics on food and agriculture, integrated watershed management, vegetation or forest cover, and those linked to the SDGs monitored under FAO coordination and linked to the goals of the Project.
• Provide technical support to the project's field monitoring team and participate in relevant field monitoring and evaluation activities as required.
• Provide technical advice and services to the EbAM project team members and the FAO Country Office in the areas of database, spatial and information management system.
• Support monitoring of execution of the contracts and agreements signed with project implementing partners.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Spatial Analysis, Land and Water, Forestry, Agriculture Economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the organization.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation and spatial analysis.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in working on senior-level positions in GIS and project M&E.
• Experience in preparing and implementing complex M&E systems for climate change related projects.
• Knowledge and experience in GIS technologies and GIS-based data and information management, especially geo-spatial skills in areas of agriculture, watershed and nature resources management and climate change.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and donors.

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

• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• 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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