National Agriculture Disaster Risk Management Specialist

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 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 FAO country office is headed by an FAO Representative, and its main aim is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition. In Guyana, the office plays a major role in providing technical and other assistance towards the development of the agricultural sector. In mid-May 2021, Guyana began experiencing intense rainfall that led to extensive flooding in several regions within the country including the major agriculture production regions. Heavy rains intensified by a Tropical Wave embedded within the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continued across Guyana in June. The current weather systems affecting the country indicate that heavy rainfall events can continue over the coming months.

To support livelihoods recovery of the most affected and vulnerable farmers, FAO is mobilizing a Sub-Regional Emergency Technical Cooperation Project (TCP-E) that will provide emergency response and early recovery support to smallholder farmers most affected by the 2021 Floods in Guyana and Suriname (TCP/SLC/3807 (E)). It has the following objectives: 1. Provide the most vulnerable households in Guyana and Suriname with the agriculture inputs, skills and capacities to reactivate their productive activities and increase their resilience to future flood events and shocks; and 2. Enhance the technical and institutional capacities of the Guyana and Suriname Ministries of Agriculture, local governments and NGOs, and local implementing partners to provide emergency and recovery assistance, and prepare for future emergencies.

Reporting Lines

The TCP/SLC/3807 (E) project will require the engagement of a National Expert on Agriculture Disaster Risk Management (DRM) who will be based in Guyana and will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from the FAO Guyana team and the Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Emergency Focal Point/Lead Technical Consultant (LTC) in the Barbados Sub-regional Office.

Technical Focus

The consultant will carry out tasks related to the DRM aspects of the three project outputs: 1) Enhanced capacities of the Guyana and Suriname Ministries of Agriculture and local institutions to plan and provide emergency assistance; 2) Increased technical capacities of the Guyana and Suriname Ministries of Agriculture and local institutions to promote resilient agricultural best practices; and 3) Vulnerable households in Guyana and Suriname have increased access to knowledge and skills that will help them recover from flood events and shocks.

Tasks and responsibilities

I. Institutional, Human Resource Capacity and Training Needs Assessment for DRM

Conduct an institutional, human resource capacity and training needs assessment on disaster risk management in the agriculture sector. The results of this assessment will determine the specific capacity building themes to be addressed as part of additional activities under the project. Specific activities will include but will not be limited to:

• Identify stakeholders for the needs assessment consultation and organize meetings/workshops.
• Develop and administer the assessment instruments to stakeholders.
• Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify disaster risk management challenges and weaknesses in the agriculture sector in Guyana and provide recommendations for its improvement that can be addressed through this project and/or be packaged as part of future resource mobilization efforts.
• Present Needs Assessment results and report in a concise manner.
Utilizing the results of item I, the consultant will then carry out the following:
II. Support to Disaster Impacts and Needs Assessment
• Conduct a rapid analysis and consolidation of flood impact assessment data using data gathered during the DDAS and the data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Together with the National Project Coordinator, Sub-Regional DRM Specialist and country office experts, conduct a training on disaster impacts and needs assessment for agriculture.
III. Capacity Building Support on Agriculture Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
• Together with the National Project Coordinator, Sub-Regional DRM Specialist and country office experts, conduct:
- Trainings on agriculture emergency response
- Trainings on agriculture disaster preparedness
Support the trainings on Good Agriculture/Climate Resilient Practices conducted by the other project partners to ensure integration of DRM aspects/topics

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Climate Change/Environmental Sciences, Disaster Risk Management, agriculture/livestock/fisheries and/or related subjects.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in climate change capacity development, mainstreaming and programming.
• Knowledge of the Agriculture sector and Disaster risk management in Guyana as it relates to the effects of climate change about adaptation /resilience and mitigation.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Guyana or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

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