International Land Management Expert

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• 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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The project “Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia” is part of a global program led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) phase-7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (SFM/Drylands IP). In Mongolia, the project is led by FAO in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and will be executed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food agriculture and light industry (MoFALI) and other partners.

The objective of the project is to reverse and prevent dryland ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss through an inclusive, integrated landscape and value chain approach securing multiple environment benefits and sustainable, resilient livelihoods in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia.

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity sustainably, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to inclusive growth at the nexus of agriculture and the environment. FAO has a history of partnership with the Government of Mongolia (GoM), to eradicate poverty and malnutrition through the development of the agriculture sector. It has, also, been an active partner of the government in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development and disaster risk management strategies of the country.

WWF works to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. As a part of WWF Network, WWF-Mongolia embraces the concept of being international and at the same time national. WWF-Mongolia focuses its efforts on critical conservation issues in 2 of the world’s outstanding places for biodiversity conservation, the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion in Western Mongolia and Amur-Heilong Ecoregion Complex in Eastern Mongolia.

Reporting Lines:

Under the direct supervision of National Project Manager (NPM) and technical guidance by FAO-Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and WWF concerned experts in close collaboration with the ALAMGAC, MoFALI and Local government, the National Land Management Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of following activities described as project Outcome 1.1; Outcome 2.2.1 and 2.2.2.

Technical Focus:

The objective of the project is to reverse and prevent dryland ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss through an inclusive, integrated landscape and value chain approach securing multiple environment benefits and sustainable, resilient livelihoods in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of FAO Representative in Mongolia (FAOR) and National project manager (NPM) and technical guidance by FAO-Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and WWF concerned experts in close collaboration with the ALAMGaC, MoFALI, MET, Local government and National Consultant, the International Land Management Expert will be responsible to:
• Review, analyze and identify gaps in the current policy and legislative documents on land management and planning at national, aimag and soum level with specific focus on status of integration of global environmental targets, e.g. LDN target, NDC commitment and biodiversity goals; and in close cooperation with multi-stakeholder working group and National Land Management Specialist;
• Identify key points on the incorporation of LDN, climate change and biodiversity considerations into the guidelines based on international best practice by ensuring that the important aspects of the Voluntary guidelines (VGGT) on tenure by FAO are reflected;
• Develop policy recommendation on synchronizing current land management and planning related policies, programs and plans with Global environmental outcomes as well as SDGs;
• Review current land monitoring systems of Mongolia and provide technical recommendations on integrating monitoring results in to science-based, integrated land management monitoring and evaluation for all stakeholders under Activity 1.1.2.1 (building on existing guidelines nationally and internally and coordinate with the UNDP GCF project, FAO, WWF and other international and local initiatives) in close collaboration with the National Land Management Specialist;
• Based on review of the global and regional sustainable land management decision support tools, including but not limited by LADA-WOCAT produce a road map on integration of tool-based sustainable land management planning and monitoring practice in order to facilitate the national commitment as well as to achieve project core target indicators for land degradation and restoration and CO2 emission reduction.
• Provide recommendation on guidelines and comprehensive training program on integrated land management planning, assessment and monitoring;
• Advise on integrated land use mapping within target PAs’ management plan and key migratory species connectivity area;
• Provide feedback on required actions to improve legal framework for land management and monitoring at national level;
• Provide specific recommendation to achieve project core target indicators for land degradation and restoration and CO2 emission reduction using sentinel satellite image or other effective tools including international experience in land monitoring in combination with remote sensing;
• Prepare brief progress report as required and a final report describing all findings including road map and policy recommendation for integrated land management for MET, MOFALI and ALAMGaC to prepare a scale-up strategy and investment plan after project completion;
• Close collaboration with National project manager, project staffs, FAO and WWF respective staffs; Consultants & Partners in the field (national and local government officers, local volunteers, local herders and other key stakeholders).
• Any other tasks that may be relevant to the position.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in land management and related sciences;
• A minimum of 10 years directly applicable experience working on integrated land management, including at least 5 years of hands-on international experience in developing land management plan and design of monitoring and evaluation tools;
• Proven experience on land management related data analysis; familiarity with qualitative, quantitative and geographical information analysis tools;
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiar with SLM approaches in Central and North East Asia or developing countries either through management and/or implementation or through consultancies in evaluation of land related projects. Understanding of local actions contributing to global benefits is crucial;
• Highly knowledgeable of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes;
• Teamwork and strong soft skills including interpersonal, ethical, listening and communication skills, proactive, problem solving, self-organizing, planning, organizing, setting priorities and efficient use of time;
• Experience in developing land management decision support tools (e.g. LADA-WOCAT,) or working with such is an asset;
• In-depth knowledge of programme and project implementation is considered a strong asset;
• Experience in international programme and project implementing organization is an asset;
• Willingness to travel regularly in the field

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