National Technical Advisor

Maseru

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: Maseru
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- FAO LESOTHO
Closing Date: Closed

N/AN/A

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations through funding from the Global Environment Facility is facilitating the implementation of a project title “Strengthening capacity for climate change adaptation through support to integrated watershed management programme”. The project is implemented in the districts of Mafeteng, Quthing and Thaba-Tseka and has been running for the past three year. Its main objectives are to\:

implement sustainable land and water management practices (SLM/W) and resource conservation measures in selected watersheds to reduce vulnerability and enhance adaptive capacity at community level
strengthen diversified livelihood strategies focusing on crop, livestock and agro-forestry systems at community level in selected watersheds in three most vulnerable livelihood zones

Reporting Lines

Working under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Lesotho, technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (programme) and in close collaboration with relevant FAO units, government agencies, and other implementing partners.

Technical Focus

The area of focus for this project is on the following themes\:

Natural Resources Management
Climate Smart Agriculture
Livelihood support and diversification

Tasks and responsibilities

provide overall implementation support to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and provide technical coordination support for smooth implementation of the project;
assist NPC in organizing project meetings, workshops and training programmes at national, district and local levels;
assist the Project Steering Committee members through the NPC in preparation of relevant documents and organization of periodical steering committee meetings;
analyse the institutional aspects and policy requirements to better link the agriculture sector into Climate change policies and plans in Lesotho and monitor mainstreaming of CC priorities into relevant policies and plans;
building on the lesson learned from project implementation process and pilot interventions in selected districts, facilitate a discussion process within the host ministry and other relevant departments for uptake of new innovations and technologies;
assess institutional and policy requirements to better link the current and longer term climate change adaptation at district and local levels;
Assist District Technical Coordinators to prepare a field demonstration plans at the beginning of each season and facilitate peer learning through farmer field school approach;
assist the NPC in organizing workshops, training programmes, study tours and exchange visits;
participate in the project wide workshops and training programmes organized by the relevant government institution in association with the subcontracted organizations;
assist district level officers and community mobilizers in preparing the community level range management plans and to implement the priorities;
Lead the preparation of periodic reports (project progress reports, monitoring reports, etc) in collaboration with the NPC and District Technical Coordinators
submit a substantive technical report at the end of the assignment;
any other duty required to support a successful implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced degree in agriculture or natural resources management;
At least 10 years of experience in managing agriculture or natural resources management programmes;
Working knowledge of English, excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills;
National of Lesotho.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Experience in project management (planning, budgeting management of contracts and monitoring).
Experience in working with national governments and NGOs.
Good organizational skills, ability to work independently and under pressure, ability to interact constructively with a diversity of clients and team members within FAO Lesotho.

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 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/