Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind.
The Technical Advisor will work for the project “Sustainable food systems and integrated land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands”, with the objective to transform food systems and land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands to deliver integrated global environmental benefits and health benefits. This project will be implemented on 6 atolls: Majuro, Kwajalein, Arrno, Wotje, Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, selected based on population sizes and density, land areas, level of urbanization. The project is expected to integrate food system management into strategy and planning in the RMI; capacity building for spatial planning and decision making to support integrate environmental and agri-food system management; provide feasible and attractive options for resource management and restoration for food production to contribute to land degradation neutrality, ecosystem services; promote value chain/market conditions for sustainably produced nutritious food and upscale/outscale the learnings/best practices in other atoll states and in other small island developing states.
The Government of the Republic of Marchall Island (RMI) and in partnership with FAO will set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MNRC) and will recruit a Project team, and national constants (long- and short-term appointments) to co-ordinate and support project implementation.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance of Secretary of MNRC, and supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific, the incumbent will report to Lead Technical Officer-SAP, and closely work with NPD, NPC, FAO-GEF Coordination Unit, FAO officers at Headquarters, the Regional and Sub-regional offices and relevant Ministries.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will provide overall technical backstopping to the project, support PMU and project team for smooth implementation of the project.
Tasks and responsibilities
Technical Advisory Services and Project Implementation Oversight
● Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to all project components, assuming quality control of interventions, and support the Project Manager in the execution of the annual Work Plans;
● Provide technical inputs into the definition and work of the Multi-stakeholder and Inter-ministerial Working Group for Food Systems;
● Provide technical advisory services and support to the Technical Advisory Group;
● In consultation with NPC and LTO, establish Terms of Reference for sub-contractors and consultants that will be necessary for the implementation of the project, act as a member of the interview panel for affiliate personnel to recommend best candidates, provide technical peer function to sub-contractors and monitor the work of the consultants and sub-contractors, provide guidance to ensure that technical contracts meet the highest standards;
● Provide technical inputs into project planning and implementation processes;
● Give input and guide development of technical training packages for all target groups and provide a peer review function; in certain cases, carry out selected training events;
● Advise on synergies - to be established or taken advantage of - between the project and those identified as co-financing projects and programs in the Project Document;
● Provide technical supervisory function to the work carried out by the other technical assistance consultants hired by the project including advising the NPC in coordinating the work of consultants and sub-contractors, ensuring the timely delivery of expected outputs, quality assure all technical outputs (reports, publications, manuals, best practice guidance etc.) and in effectively generating synergy among the various sub-contracted activities;
● Provide technical leadership in terms of coordination of activities with other programmes and projects at global, and regional levels, where feasible;
● Seek as required direction, and strategic guidance from the PSC regarding project implementation and execution of agreed activities over the entire period of the project;
● Lead a consultative participatory process to develop IES scheme project designs in the following: (i) Aquaculture-focused IES scheme; (ii) linking near-shore and off-shore fisheries IES scheme; and (iii) linking agriculture with copra productions IES scheme. Additionally, identify other IES schemes that might be worth pursuing.
● Provide technical support to the implementation of key activities under the RMI Forest Action Plan (2020-2030), identified as priorities for implementation under the GEF project, in alignment with LRMPs and AFSP-IAPs of the 6 Atolls;
● Provide technical inputs into the development of training and extension modules and materials, and into the realization of demonstrations and farmer field schools training sessions related to forestry and agroforestry and other issues;
● Provide technical inputs into the identification of priority coastal forest areas for rehabilitation and management including the development of operational plans for priority areas and oversight of forest rehabilitation activities;
● Conduct participatory inventories of tree species with high cultural and medicinal values and becoming rare then identify their propagation requirements and needs for seedlings and planting materials;
● Provide technical support to strengthening of systems for supply of tree seed and planting materials, planning and management of nurseries- organizational and technical aspects and provisions of sustainability.
Project Management Oversight and Project Management Support
● Support the NPC in preparing the detailed draft Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) to be reviewed and approved by the PSC;
● Provide guidance and supervision to the work of the staff of the PMU including with regard to the implementation of all activities specified in the Project Document, and ensure their timely completion;
● Following the guidance of the PSC and NPD, work in close collaboration with the NPC to ensure, as far as practical, full participation of partners and stakeholders in the project, and support strengthening of partner and stakeholder participation;
● Prepare as required working documents to be submitted to meetings of the PSC and to FAO, in close collaboration with the NPD and NPC;
● Review all documents prepared by third parties for submission to the PSC and FAO and provide input where necessary to ensure they meet the appropriate technical, scientific and English standards;
● Prepare the draft agenda and draft annotated agenda for the PSC meetings in accordance with the rules of procedure of those bodies, in close collaboration with the NPD and NPC;
● Liaise with other relevant GEF and non-GEF projects with focus on those referred to in the Project Document;
● In close collaboration with the project team and stakeholders, design and oversee the project M&E system, including for the GEF Core Indicators;
● In close collaboration with the NPD and NPC and in close consultations with all partners and executing agencies, prepare the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR) reports and 6 monthly Project Progress Reports (PPR) for transmission to FAO and the GEF; and
● Assist any other related works for smooth implementation of the project
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced University degree in natural resource management, environmental sciences, agriculture science, forestry conservation and management, or related fields. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• 10 years of relevant experience in the management or coordination of international, regional or national projects related to the environment in SIDS/and or Pacific Islands.
• Working knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
