Great Green Wall Southern Africa Coordinator

Job Posting: 21/Jun/2021
Organizational Unit: SFS
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Botswana-Gaborone
Duration: 11 Months, Renewable depending on Funding
Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device.

• 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

In October 2019, SADC Ministers in charge of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism endorsed SADC Great Green Wall (GGW) strategy, paving thus the way for its implementation. This allowed SADC Secretariat to start developing a costed action plan for the implementation of Sub Regional Action Programme (SRAP) and other initiatives including the GGW SADC.

The aim of GGW SADC is largely to promote synergies and effective coordination between the activities of various national and sub-regional bodies working to combat land degradation and desertification, loss of biodiversity and mitigate effects of drought. The GGW initiative opens numerous opportunities to advocate for better management and to implement restoration of and pledge on a transboundary commitment on Miombo and Mopane woodlands and other drylands ecosystems. In this regard, SADC requested for FAO to support in institutionalizing and implementing the SADC GGW strategy and action plan. FAO is providing support through the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/SFS/3804), which offer catalytic resource for further resource mobilization and technical assistance for the initial steps towards coordinated action for implementation of the Great Green Wall in the Southern Africa region.

It is in this background that FAO Sub region office for Southern Africa in conjunction with SADC Secretariat seeks to appoint a Regional Expert to support and coordinate implementation and out-scale the Great Green Wall (GGW) in Southern Africa Region. The FAO Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) will lead the project coordination, management and implementation, and will serve as the focal point for exchange with SADC Secretariat. The SADC Secretariat will act as government counterpart in this project, on behalf of all countries in its membership. SADC Secretariat will work closely with FAO and project team at all levels (national and regional), on the overall coordination and the smooth implementation of the planned activities. The International/Regional Consultant is expected to work closely with both FAO and SADC in the implementation of the Great Green Wall in Southern Africa Region.

The contract will be based in Gaborone, Botswana or another location in FAO SFS with required travel for field missions, where relevant.

Reporting Lines

The Coordinator will work under the oversight of the Sub-regional Coordinator and SADC Secretariat’s Director of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR), the overall technical supervision of the SADC Senior Programme Officer - Environment and Climate Change and FAO SFS Forestry Officer. S/he will also work directly with SADC/FAO member states in the sub region as well as FAO Representation in all country offices in Southern Africa.

Technical Focus

Supporting the formulation development, raise awareness, coordination, and ensure effective implementation of GGW projects and initiatives in Southern Africa through the provision of expertise in relevant technical areas with NRM, Agriculture including crops, fisheries, forestry, livestock /other land use sectors.  

Tasks and Responsibilities

The International/regional coordinator will carry out the following duties:

• Review the current situation of sustainable land/restoration activities in SADC Member States, and provide recommendations for improvement;
• Assist in the coordination of early activities of the GGW in SADC Secretariat, support the SADC member countries to prepare their strategic and operational plans (National Action Plans);
• Develop project proposals for resource mobilization to implement priority actions defined in the SADC’s GGW regional strategy and action plan;
• Facilitate contacts between the project and regional stakeholders and national structures (e.g. relevant ministries and focal points for GGW in countries, etc.);
• Support in the organisation of workshops and partnership meetings, involving representatives from the SADC Secretariat, the SADC member countries, FAO, and partners as well as other experienced countries (from Sahel) and stakeholders on GGW matters;
• Develop Terms of reference and organize meetings to support the establishment of a multidisciplinary Regional Steering Committee (RSC) responsible for the GGW in SADC region;
• Support the development of key programme documents, to scale up GGW interventions at the regional and national levels, including Private sector engagement strategy, Gender strategy, Communication plan, and implementation framework for GGW;
• Participate in the project inception workshop and prepare report and detailed work plan and milestone for the project implementation;
• Undertake such other relevant duties for the successful execution of the project.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Natural Resources, Forestry, Environment, Agriculture, rural development, or related field. Advanced Degree would be a strong asset;
• At least 10 years working experience in the field of Natural Resources Management, Environment, biodiversity and Ecosystems management, managing/implementing development cooperation programmes;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English is sufficient for PSA.SBS

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevant experience Project/Programme development, Project analysis, coordination, management and implementation;
• Proven experience in international or regional organizations managing regional programmes.
• Proven experience in the organization of meetings, trainings, workshops or similar events;
• Experience in managing Natural Resources programmes and or projects will be considered as an advantage;
• Experience in managing programmes in the Southern Africa Region will be desirable;
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize the work elements in a complex, dynamic and highly politicized environment; strong coordination skills;
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communications skills;
• Good skills in facilitation of workshops for consultation with diverse stakeholders;

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

Additional Information

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)

Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.

If you are in possession of language certificate/s from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT), please attach the certificate/s when submitting the application.

For more information, visit the FAO employment website

How To Apply

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.

We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline

If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org