National Natural Resources Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and with funding from the Global Climate Fund (GCF) is rolling out implementation of the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at creating more climate resilient livelihoods in vulnerable communities as landscapes and ecosystems’ capacity to supply goods and services will be enhanced as well as farmers’ ability to use them in a way that is sustainable and adapted to climate change. This will be achieved through increased climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilization of productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhanced enabling environment (finance and policies) to sustain, replicate and scale-up climate resilient watershed ecosystems and agriculture practices. The project will be implemented in 11 districts in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Close to 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from the project’s initiatives while at the same time, more than 83,000 hectares will be restored through the application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation, thus generating significant environmental and mitigation benefits.

The positions are located in Lilongwe.

Reporting Lines

The National Natural Resources Management Specialist (NNRMS) will be based at the EbAM Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) in Lilongwe; and work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the EbAM Technical Adviser (TA) and the day-to-day coordination of the EbAM National Project Manager (NPM); and will work closely with the National Project Manager (NPM) and other project team members.

Technical Focus

The National Natural Resources Management Specialists will Provide technical support and services for identification, implementation, monitoring and reporting of EbAM interventions related to sustainable nature resource management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the TA in facilitating and coordinating the formulation, implementation and periodic reporting of EbAM work plans related to Natural Resources Management.
• Participate in identification and selection of vulnerable catchments in the target districts, especially validation of Water Resources Unit (WRU) sub-catchments and micro-catchments based on climate vulnerability, hydrological, ecological and social considerations and delineation of sub-catchments into micro-catchments based on hydrology and number of villages contained.
• Support implementation of rapid GIS hotspot assessment using GPS/GIS data and ground-truthing for all delineated sub-catchments and micro-catchments of targeted WRUs in cooperation with relevant government departments.
• Support implementation of free, prior informed consent (FPIC) and environmental and social assessment for 30 sub-catchments and 111 micro-catchments.
• Support formation and strengthening of Village Natural Resources Management Committees (VNRMCs) and Sub-Catchment Management Committees (SCMCs).
• Support formulation and implementation of EbA-based Village Level Action Plans (VLAPs) and EbA-based Sub-Catchments Management Plans (SCMPs).
• Support capacity development for the Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) Facilitators, Traditional Authorities (TAs) and local government officials on Ecosystem-based Adaptation, including topics on\: (i) landscape demarcation, resources inventorying and stakeholders identification, (ii) climate vulnerability and impacts, as well as climatic trends; (iii) water resources management; (iv) ecosystem services and ecosystem-based adaptation (v) payment for ecosystem services (PES); and (vi) adaptive management.
• Provide technical support to other EbAM Executive Entities in monitoring of VLAP implementation, especially priority communal interventions, such as\: (i) soil and water conservation, for erosion and water runoff control (with green infrastructures such as swales, brush fill, gully plugs and check dams); (ii) natural forest protection; assisted natural regeneration; (iii) community forest and woodlot management; (iv) pastureland management; (v) riverbank protection; (vi) and other livelihoods opportunities and off-farm economic activities (e.g., beekeeping, non-timber forest products – NTFP harvesting – e.g. baobab, moringa/ medicinal plants, fruit, mushrooms).
• Provide technical inputs and support in the preparation of project reports to partners, donors, counterparts, FAO and GCF, including the formulation of reports on the results of the execution of the planned activities.
• Support preparation of Natural Resources Management related technical reports, presentations, terms of reference and any other document required for EbAM implementation.
• Support to identification, summarization and documentation of EbAM stories and experiences related to sustainable nature resource management for recording, communication and dissemination.
• Any other relevant task assigned by the TA.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Natural Resource Management or other relevant fields
• At least five years of relevant experience in natural resource management and climate change response
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• Nationality of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of experience in working with UN agencies on implementation of international Finance Institution funded programmes or projects on nature resources management.
• Knowledge and strength in integrated landscape management, integrated watershed management, sustainable natural resources management and ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Capacity and skill in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, donor community, NGOs and other development partners.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and work in diversified culture environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION