National Sand and Dust Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. All FAO-Iran employees shall follow the UN work week which is from Sunday to Thursday and holiday schedule.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct supervision of Project Operations Officer, and the technical guidance of the LTO, the national Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) expert will perform will perform the tasks described below.

Technical Focus

The national Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) expert works closely with the National Project Director (NPD) and National Project Coordinator (NPC) and a wide range of Government officials, with central units and external project stakeholders and divers project international and national consultants, performing as the national technical leader for the FAO-Iran’s Sand and Dust project and related subjects.

(S)he will be assigned to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop/adapt together with other national experts and LTO - based on existing data, knowledge and methods - a SDS focused risk and vulnerability assessment tool for agriculture and lead the implementation of the assessment in 2-3 selected districts. This will include field trips to selected districts and final output documentation
• Liaise with Partners and National SDS focal points on existing sector-disaggregated data on SDS source and impact, as well as on technology options that reduce SDS source and impacts on the agriculture sectors and should be taken up in context of SDS contingency planning
• Lead the execution of national stakeholder consultation and capacity building workshops to map and assess capacities of national SDS stakeholders and existing relevant policies and practices to define entry points for SDS planning and actions in the agriculture sectors.
• Based on the national consultations and workshops, and in close collaboration with the LTU and other project experts draft generic SDS contingency plans and SOPs for implementation in the 2-3 selected districts, ensuring linkages to overall SFDRR planning (SFDRR target E national DRR planning update 2020 and SDG 3.2 indicator) and priorities.
• Provide 3 monthly progress reporting
• Attend as resource person the interregional project workshops and provide technical inputs as demanded to the programme formulation process.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in environmental sciences, forestry, watershed management or a relevant field.
• At least 4 years’ of relevant experience project implementation, development or research related to sand and dust storms and/or disaster risk reduction.
• National of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Proven communications and writing skills and fluent in English and Persian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge and familiarity with existing national disaster risk reduction and sand and dust mitigation and control policies, regulatory frameworks and engaged institutions and stakeholders
• Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels, to communicate messages and to promote dialogue
• Experience and familiarity with vulnerability, risk and impact assessments.
• Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships central and local government institutions and civil society organizations
• Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power point, Internet)
• Familiarity with vulnerability, risk and impact assessments.
• Experience of working with relevant government stakeholders would be a strong asset.
• Experience of working on climate change related areas would be an asset.
• Experience of working with the UN agencies or other international organizations would be an asset.

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.