| Organizational Setting The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for FAO's response in developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies to address subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. The Subregional Office is based in Samoa, and is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). SAP is an important FAO technical hub in direct support of 14 Pacific Island countries. The National Agriculture and Agroforestry Specialist post is located in Kiribati (Tarawa) and funded under the FAO Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project "Resilient Islands, Resilient Communities - GCP/KIR/009/GFF". The project aims to improve biodiversity conservation and land/seascape level management to enhance socio-ecological resilience to climate variability and change in Kiribati. Reporting Lines The National Agriculture and Agroforestry Specialist reports to the Project Technical Adviser and is under the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO). He/she will work in direct collaboration with the Agriculture and Livestock Division within the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) as well as a national project team, relevant government institutions, FAO technical and support staff, consultants and partners. Technical Focus
Capacity strengthening on R2R (Ridge to Reef) and whole island approach to the agriculture sector through implementation of resilient practices for project sites with focus on improving biodiversity conservation and landscape level management to enhance socio-ecological resilience to climate variability and change in the selected project sites. Tasks and responsibilities - Build upon the project document and training material by incorporating climate change considerations into agricultural; livestock and agroforestry investment programmes and pilot implementation experience, to upscale their use based upon emerging insights and practical implementation experience, including through partnerships with key learning organizations programs in Kiribati (UNDP GEF LDCF);
- Conduct technical reviews into agricultural; agroforestry and livestock programmes/projects with activities related to climate change or to facilitate incorporation of climate change considerations into these programmes/projects.
- Support preparation of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects and progammes for funding by GEF through Letters of Agreements (LOA) under FAO modalities;
- Conduct analysis of current agricultural productivity in terms of products grown, livestock raised, seasonality, market demand and returns;
- identify the trends in levels of productivity and/or rate of return in the project areas identified;
- Conduct an assessment, including farmer reliance, of current use of fertilizers and pesticides, livestock diseases and local or veterinary medications used, the use of antibiotics in the target areas (if any);
- Review national, and provincial policy and legislative frameworks around land tenure and land use planning (including the possibility of conservation/restoration set aside at project areas), agriculture; agroforestry and livestock production and sustainable management; identification of trends and opportunities for change;
- Conduct analysis of current land use in terms of products grown, livestock raised, stocking rates; assess the level of land degradation and the impacts on ecosystem services and identify possible project interventions that could turn this around in terms of activities, actors, budgets, and replication potential (including size in hectares);
- Identify the target areas (in hectares) of degradation areas that will be rehabilitated taking into consideration the improvement of ecological connectivity between and within different uses mainly for agriculture; agroforestry and livestock in the rehabilitated sites. Define the selected locations and delineate boundaries on maps. Describe the rehabilitation/reforestation methods which tentatively include assisted natural regeneration and reforestation of forests and agriculture land and describe the sequence of activities that the project will need to carry out. Forecast the measurable global environmental benefits expected such as reduced erosion, rise in productivity, improved socio-economic returns, enhanced biodiversity intactness, water availability and other benefits;
- Contribute to the identification of potential Risks (including potential reluctance and resistance among stakeholders and beneficiaries) and the formulation of mitigation measures;
- Participate fully in the formulation of Letters of Agreement and activities contribute to sustainability of the project;
- Facilitate and support all aspects of the project implementation with the project team including trainings, workshops, meetings, liaising with partners and stakeholders and any other duties.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements - University degree or technical diploma in agriculture, livestock or agroforestry management, natural resources, land use planning or related field;
- At least four years of relevant experience in agriculture, livestock or agroforestry, planning and advisory services;
- Working knowledge of English.
- Knowledge of I-Kiribati is an advantage.
- National of Kiribati.
FAO Core Competencies - Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills - Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
- Extent and relevance of experience in undertaking agricultural related baseline survey and assessment work;
- Extent and relevance of experience in Kiribati ecosystems, their values and vulnerabilities and their legal and institutional foundations;
- Familiarity with GEF projects and project management is an advantage;
- Computer literate and able to use different Software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, powerpoint and Excel);
- Ability to work as a member of the project team;
- Willingness to travel regularly and undertake local and overseas assignments
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