Specialist on Sustainable land management (SLM) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)/Agronomist

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 (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.
National Consultant on Sustainable land management (SLM) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)/Agronomist will be assigned in Almaty, Kazakhstan and will work under “Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey (CACILM II)” project in FAO Partnership and Liaison office in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia (SEC-SRC), the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer, under operational guidance from SEC Field Programme Unit and the direct supervision of the of Regional Programme Coordinator for CACILM II project, and the day-to-day guidance of the Project Coordinator of CACILM II project in Kazakhstan.

Technical Focus

Provide support to the development of the work plan of the NC with activities on up scaling the SLM/CSA/CA/INRM best practices within the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In close consultation with the project team, review existing project technical reports and develop the Work Plan of the NC with activities on up scaling the SLM/CSA/CA/INRM best practices;
• Provide support in the preparation of project`s Annual Work Plan covering technical agronomic aspects and ensuring their proper implementation in the context of the SLM approach of the project;
• Implement project activities of the national part of the regional project, related to introduction and upscaling of SLM/CSA/CA/INRM approaches/practices/technologies at demonstration sites;
• Contribute to the promotion of SLM/CSA/CA/INRM approaches/practices/technologies among farmers, service providers and relevant organizations;
• Conduct regular monitoring of field activities, provide needed technical support to service providers, farmers in overcoming challenges and provide in time report on progress of the activities;
• Monitor proper field work implementation and coordinate reporting of vendors/service providers involved;
• Assist in the identification of training needs of farmers, the preparation of training materials/modules, organization and implementation of workshops with farmers and other beneficiaries;
• Jointly with service providers and the project team contribute to the development of training packages and extension materials for SLM/CSA/CA/INRM approaches/practices/technologies and scaling them up;
• Support with the drafting of technical specifications and other needed documents for getting approval prior to procurement of planting materials, drought resistant and salt tolerant crops, herbicides, fertilizers and machinery/equipment etc. upon the request by Project Coordinator;
• Support data collection and analysis to develop technical documents, reports, policy briefs and strategies to promote SLM/CSA;
• Contribute to preparation of the LoAs with boundary/service partners for supporting within the context to scale up SLM/CSA/CA/INRM best practices;
• Provide information and technical expertise on appropriate agricultural practices and advise on technical issues, also on an ad-hoc basis during project implementation;
• Assist in forming a national expert group on SLM/CSA practices;
• Assist to develop and strengthen technical networks relevant to SLM and outreach events such as webinars, workshops and publications with strategic partners (academic/research institutions and centres of excellence, national, regional and sub-regional institutions, organizations and bilateral assistance agencies);
• Develops communication products to increase awareness and adoption of the best SLM/CSA practices;
• Support project team and SP in organizing field farmers days demonstrations promoting the best practices and the best uses of the equipment provided;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture/agronomy, land management, plant production, hydrology or other related field;
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in technical areas, both research and field experience on SLM: crop rotation, mulching, weed management, soil fertility management, integrated pest management, livestock grazing management, seasonal pasture rotation, pastoral animal feeding rations, land, water, biological resources conservation and their sustainable management techniques and approaches, integrated natural resources management, landscape restoration approaches, experience in applying nature-based solutions and ecosystem services in saline and drought environments;
• National of Kazakhstan or resident in the country with official residence/work permit.
• Working knowledge of Russian and English. Additionally, good command of Kazakh will be an advantage.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the project management
• Knowledge of Project Cycle Management is an asset
• Previous working experience in UN organizations is an asset
• Technical capacity to support the salinity management, water management in watersheds, land planning processes, pasture management, conservation agriculture, implementation and monitoring of INRM/SLM practices in agricultural production landscapes;
• Demonstrated technical capacity to analyse institutional frameworks, policy changes and legislation in the areas of land resources management, implementation of INRM/SLM practices in agricultural production landscapes;
• Demonstrated experience in field trainings and communication with farmers and land/water users is required;
• Proved communication skills, with district/sub district government, national experts and local communities;
• Proved leadership skills, demonstrated ability to open up to new approaches and new practices;
• Experience in environmental related projects of UNDP, GEF, FAO, CAREC, etc. is an asset;
• Knowledge and experience of FAO systems and databases, accounting or financial modules and corporate applications is considered an asset

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