IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
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:
(i) Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii) assist and catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management
Nepal’s rich biodiversity and ecosystem services are increasingly affected by invasive alien species (IAS), which pose risks to native species, agriculture, livelihoods, food security, human health, and the social and cultural values of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Nepal has recorded 30 invasive plant species and 20 invasive animal species, reflecting the growing spread of IAS across different ecological zones, including mid-hill and river corridor landscapes.
The Government of Nepal has prioritized IAS management through the Nepal Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan 2025, the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030, and its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 6. These frameworks emphasize prevention, control, pathway management, early detection, rapid response, and management of priority invasive species.
In this context, FAO Nepal, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), is implementing the KBF-supported project “Effective Management of Invasive Alien Species for Ecosystem Benefits in Nepal.” The project will support policy and institutional strengthening, risk/threat assessment, quarantine and detection systems, community-based IAS management, and science-based control measures in priority sites. The IAS Management and Control Expert will provide technical support for designing, implementing and documenting IAS prevention, control, field management, pathway disruption, threat assessment, and related knowledge products under the project.
The broader objectives of the project are:
• Strengthen national policy, regulatory and institutional mechanisms for effective prevention, control and management of invasive alien species in Nepal.
• Improve national and local capacities for IAS risk assessment, monitoring, early detection, rapid response and pathway management.
• Promote science-based and participatory approaches for controlling priority invasive alien species in selected project sites, including the Trishuli River Corridor.
• Support knowledge generation, awareness raising and documentation of best practices to reduce IAS impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services and local livelihoods.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative of Nepal, and the direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme) in close consultation with Project Manager, Lead Technical Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), and the International Consultant, the expert will deliver below duties and responsibilities.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will provide technical support for the implementation of the KBF-supported project “Effective Management of Invasive Alien Species for Ecosystem Benefits in Nepal”, with a focus on IAS prevention, control and field-level management. The role will assist with IAS risk and threat assessment, pathway management, early warning and rapid response, demonstration of science-based and participatory control measures, and documentation of best practices and knowledge products under the guidance of FAO and the project team. The assignment will contribute to minimizing IAS threats, breaking invasion pathways, and enhancing ecosystem services and benefits through coordinated and evidence-based support.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Assist in reviewing the project document, results framework, workplan, NIAS SAP 2025, draft NBSAP 2025–2030, and relevant national and global guidance on IAS prevention, control, pathway management, early warning, rapid response and biodiversity threat assessment.
• Support the development of a practical IAS biodiversity threat assessment methodology/guideline and contribute technical inputs on criteria for prioritizing species based on spread, impact, invasion pathways, risks to biodiversity, ecosystem services, agriculture, forests, water systems, livelihoods and feasibility of control.
• Provide technical and documentation support to the FAO team in conducting field assessments in selected sites of the Trishuli River Corridor focusing on the priority invasive alien species, affected areas, key invasion pathways, and suitable demonstration sites reflecting different ecological and livelihood contexts.
• Support the preparation of technical reports by compiling and organizing findings and recommendations from FAO-led field assessments and consultations with relevant institutions and community groups.
• Assist in providing technical support for site-specific IAS control and management demonstrations, including prevention, pathway disruption, restoration of affected areas, prevention of re-invasion, and practical approaches such as IPM/FFS-based learning and safe use of selected IAS biomass, where technically feasible.
• Assist in implementing early warning, rapid response and monitoring mechanisms by preparing simple reporting formats, response protocols, local focal point roles, and related technical inputs for the IAS App/Webpage for species identification, location reporting, photographs, monitoring records and follow-up actions.
• Support capacity-building activities and assist in preparing training materials, technical notes, awareness messages, best practices, case studies, knowledge products and the final technical report with key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening future IAS prevention, control, monitoring and community-based management in Nepal.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in ecology, biodiversity conservation, botany, zoology, forestry, agriculture, plant protection, natural resource management, environmental science or other relevant discipline
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in invasive alien species management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, plant protection, pest management, forest/agriculture ecology or related fields.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in invasive alien species prevention, control, field-level management, pathway disruption, biodiversity threat assessment and ecological restoration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Nepal’s IAS management priorities, including NIAS SAP 2025, draft NBSAP 2025–2030, and relevant commitments under the CBD and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing field assessments, participatory surveys, ecological monitoring, demonstration activities and community-based natural resource management.
• Familiarity with IAS risk/threat assessment tools, early warning and rapid response mechanisms, monitoring systems, and practical approaches for prevention and control of priority invasive species.
• Knowledge of Farmer Field School, Integrated Pest Management, community-based monitoring, participatory learning or local capacity-building approaches will be an asset.
• Experience working with government institutions, local governments, research institutions, quarantine/customs offices, farmer groups, forest user groups, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women and youth groups.
• Ability to prepare high-quality technical reports, guidelines, training materials, best practices, case studies, IEC materials and knowledge products related to IAS management.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, coordination, communication and report-writing skills, with the ability to work in English and Nepali and travel to project districts under diverse field conditions.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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