National Alternative Livelihood Specialist

VA NO. FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/47-2019

Functional  Title:

National Alternative Livelihood Specialist

Type of Contract:

National Project Personnel / Service Contract (NPP/SC)

Grade / Level:

SB-4

Number of Post (s) :

2 (Two)

Duration :

12 Months

Extendable / Renewable:

Extendable, Based on Satisfactory Performance and Budget Availability

Probationary Period:

Initial 3 Months

Project / Programme / Unit: 

Community Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan (GCP/AFG/084/GFF)

Duty Station:

Kabul – Afghanistan, with frequent domestic travel to other project locations

Sub – Station:

Nil

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organization Settings:

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, Programmes and projects to address hunger, food security and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, livestock, animal health, and irrigation and forestry sectors as well as emergency preparedness and response. The activities of the FAO Representation include design and implementation of country-tailored field Programmes, liaison with local donor representatives and active public awareness raising and outreach activities related to the mandate of FAO.

FAO assistance in Afghanistan achieves its objectives through capacity development and direct project implementation in four specific areas of FAO’s technical expertise: 

• Better governance through improved capacity for policy planning, land reform, decentralization, and management of common natural resources;
• Fostering expansion of irrigation and field water management; 
• Intensive agriculture for surplus commercialization, value chains development, and job creation;
• Supporting vulnerable farmers for improved food and nutrition security, resilience, and emergency response to natural and man-made disasters and climate change.

This position is established under the GCP/AFG/084/GFF Project in Afghanistan, and the duty station is Kabul, with frequent travels to project locations in the provinces covered by the respective project.

Project Background:

The General Directorate of Natural Resources Management (GD-NRM) of MAIL offers services in Natural Resource Management (NRM) and they promote community-based NRM initiatives so that local communities can benefit from natural resources in a fair and equitable way. The mission of the General Directorate of NRM is restoration, protection, and conservation of forests, rangelands, natural vegetation and ecological areas. They are doing this by introducing prudent use approaches and mechanisms, by training communities in watershed management and soil conservation, by combatting desertification and improve ecological balance. Ideally this will all result in reduced natural disasters, healthy environments, agriculture and livestock sector development and food security.

Climate Change, Gender and Capacity Development are cross-cutting issues across FAO Afghanistan’s Country Programme Framework, and several projects in the CPF focus specifically on these issues. Women, for example, are empowered to have access to productive resources especially through specific projects aimed at transferring technology to female-friendly agricultural businesses. Similarly, climate change adaptation is tackled through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projects, improved governance of common resources, or the promotion of renewable energy.

The key outputs of the project are: i) enhanced capacity of national and sub-national government institutions for SLM/SFM; ii) enhanced capacity of local communities in Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya Provinces for developing and implementing community based SLM/SFM plans; iii) improved management of 10,000 ha of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) and 20,000 ha of other forest types to increase biodiversity conservation; iv) improved management of 200,000 ha of degraded rangelands in order to reduce land degradation, increase biodiversity conservation; and, v) improved knowledge to inform planning and implementation of SLM/SFM practices.

FAO holds the ultimate responsibility for the implementation of the project, the delivery of the planned outputs and the achievement of the expected outcomes. The project will be managed and implemented by FAO and directly executed by MAIL and its partners. MAIL/GD-NRM is the lead implementing agency for the project and other line ministries such as the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), the Independent General Directorate of Kuchi (IDGK) and Kabul university will be part of the project steering committee and will be closely involved in the project implementation cycle as per the Project Document and Government Cooperation Project Agreement signed with MAIL.

Purpose of this vacancy announcement:

FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of National Alternative Livelihood Specialist. This position will support the work of the GEF-funded “Community-Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan” project. The post is located in Kabul with frequent travel to provinces.

Key Result:

The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively in conformity with the objectives of the project. The incumbent is responsible to develop his/her work plan upon joining the duty and based on SMART planning standards and according to project objectives.

Key Objectives:

The main objective of the project, “Community Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan” is to support the GD-NRM of MAIL in integrating community-based approaches to Sustainable Land Management/Sustainable Forest Management (SLM/SFM) in Afghanistan in order to promote biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and rangeland productivity.

The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively and conform to the objectives of the project. The incumbent is responsible for developing her/his work plan upon joining. The plan must be and based on SMART planning standards and according to project objectives.

Reporting Lines / Supervision Received/Exercised:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) and National Project Manager (NPM), in close collaboration with counterpart authorities and other national and international staff, the incumbent will closely collaborate with the other Project Task Force (PTF) members, FAO staff and national project government counterparts and technical departments in MAIL/GD-NRM;

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support on assessments of livelihoods and value chain diversification, preparation of technical reports, coordination for alternative livelihood activities in 5 provinces, by providing in-depth country knowledge in their field, as well as service in the field;
• Support and work with appointed specialists and support the project task team in devising strategies and plans for the implementation of the alternative livelihoods outcome of this project;
• Prepare the required technical documents based on consultations with project proponents and stakeholders in Afghanistan, virtual communication with international experts and the FAO Country Office in Afghanistan, as well as literature reviews and analyses as needed;
• Work with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist to undertake community livelihood surveys to identify livelihood options to meet community needs and to reduce pressure on forest resources in Badghis, Kunar and Paktya provinces;
• Work with the National Forest/Biodiversity/Perennial Crop Specialist to provide alternative livelihood options such as agro-forestry programmes and value addition for timber and non-timber forest products available in the Farm Management Association (FMA) or landscape level in Badghis, Kunar and Paktya provinces;
• Provide technical guidance for the marketing and market forward and backward linkages for the alternative livelihoods;
• Work with the International and National Rangeland/SLM/Livestock Management Specialists to introduce improved livestock breeds into rangeland farming;
• Support climate resilient livestock management and analyze possibilities on establishment of fodder bank and fodder seed bank in the Rangeland Management Association (RMA);
• Contribute to the development a reporting system and identify relevant stakeholders to form a ‘pasture network’ to disseminate information on: i) livestock owners; ii) veterinary services; iii) livestock health; iv) disease-prevention experts and services providers; v) available markets; and vi) products;
• Facilitate in establishing pasture network, and distribute and provide extension services to the network and pastoralist for sustainable land/ forest and range land management;
• Provide the support for marketing of livestock and value addition to the farmers in Bamyan, Gazani and Badghis provinces.

Other Activities:

• Any other similar duties, assigned by the STA or NPM.

Expected Outputs:

• Identified alternative livelihood options to reduce the pressure on forest;
• Number of households benefiting from agro-forestry, alternative energy sources and value addition for timber and non-timber forest products;
• Number of households benefiting from strengthened value chains for livestock husbandry;
• Development and delivery of technical reports.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (TECHNICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATION)

Education:

• University degree (preferably Master degree) in forestry, environmental sciences, Agriculture, economics, agronomy and rural development or related field.

Work Experience and Additional Skills:

• At least 7 (Seven) years of extensive and demonstrated experience in alternative livelihoods and have conducted livelihood survey at national level with UN,  international NGOs and Government of Afghanistan;
• Ability to use computer software. Familiarity with the office computer software used by the Organization especially in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word and Outlook);
•               Previous work experience with UN is an advantage;

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Excellent writing and analytical skill in drafting concept notes, proposals and reports;
• Strong interpersonal and communication, reporting and presentation skills, analysis and interpretation of data, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Experience on formulation of alternative livelihood strategy or income generation strategy would be an asset;    
• Experience in value chain analysis of timber and non- timber forest products and livestock;  
• Experience in conducting capacity building activity to the staff and communities;  
• Experience with the United Nations or other international agencies;
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in complex multi-cultural environments;
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to deliver results within deadlines;
• Understanding of the purpose and functional of technical Programmes, operational guidelines and Programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations and/or FAO;
• Working experience with ministries, national institutions and the rural sector in Afghanistan;
• Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project with results-based management;

Language Skills:

• Good knowledge of the national/local languages (Dari and Pashto) of the duty station;

COMPETENCIES:

• Core competencies: FAO core competencies include: Understanding FAO’s mandate and its global context; planning, organizing, and delivering quality results; communicating to build understanding and support; working together in teams and partnerships; engaging in continuous learning.
• Operational Effectiveness: Working independently, structuring tasks, establishing priorities and adhering to deadlines. Show a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Contribute ideas and suggestions for process improvement.
• Client Orientation: Focus on results for the client. Attend to inquiries from internal and external clients in an effective, timely and courteous manner. Treat clients with courtesy and respect even when working under pressure. Express a high level of professionalism.
• Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork: Work effectively and efficiently with staff at all levels, listen to others and openly share own ideas. Express sensitivity, cultural empathy and respect for diversity. Productively handle differing views and opinions and strive for achievement of shared goals. Respond positively to feedback.
• Knowledge Exchange and Learning: Share own knowledge and promote a learning culture within the work environment. Actively work towards professional development, including personal learning.  Apply newly acquired skills and support flexibility within the work environment.

REMUNERATION:

• The remuneration for the post of National Alternative Livelihoods Specialist is between USD 1,947 to USD 2,335 (SB-4, Step 1 to 2) monthly based on the salary history, qualification and experience of the candidate.
• The selected candidate will also receive an additional 8.33% monthly salary as pension benefit/coverage on a monthly basis.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE:

Interested Afghan nationals should complete the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) and submit it along with their application letter and CV to the email address below, clearly mentioning the vacancy number and post title (National Alternative Livelihoods Specialist - FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/47-2019) in the subject line of the email, otherwise your email will not be considering for further process.

FAOAF-vacancies@fao.org

NOTE: Applicant who failed to attach the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) to their Application will not be considered for further process.

The above required documents can also be submitted in writing (marked “Confidential” and clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement number and position title) to: the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), FAO Representation, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Jamal Mina, Opposite Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.

The FAO PH Form can be downloaded using the following internet link:

http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

The last date for receiving applications is 24 December 2019. Please note that applications received after closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for test/interview.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce gender diversity
• Qualified females are strongly encouraged to apply
• People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply
• 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
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO NSHR Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station inside the country;
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
• Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Candidates who wish to apply for the positon should indicate their preferred duty station(s) in their application letter (or email).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview/test.
• Application received after closing date will not be given consideration.
• Please make sure to sign the first page of your PHF while applying for the vacant post.
• Do not forget to write the post title and VA number on subject of your email.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments;
• Email will only be sent to the interviewed candidates.