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 project “Advancing integrated participatory spatial planning to enhance Samoa’s globally significant biodiversity at a national scale” was approved on 30 July 2025 by GEF CEO for implementation. FAO will co-execute the project with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Government of Samoa. The objective of the project is to support integrated spatial planning with Samoa’s landscapes to enhance global significance biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. The project works under three interwoven components namely: (I) Enabling environment for effective biodiversity conservation and management (II) Integrated Participatory spatial planning and management effectiveness and (III) Knowledge management, learning and gender mainstreaming. The project will work in both the islands of Samoa: Upolu and Savaii; and support to generate outcomes not limited to the followings: (i) Increased capacities for Other Effective area based Conservation Measures (OECM)/Protected Area (PA) management and planning (ii) Strengthened coordination for PA/OECM management (iii) Strengthened coordination for PA/OECM management (iii) Improved health and adaptive capacity (iv) Increased PA and OECM extent.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be in-housed at MNRE with a team of professionals including Conservation Planning & NRM Specialist; Administration Officer; and Knowledge Management and M&E Specialist. Other several short-term national and international consultants will technically support to accomplish the specific output of the project.  
The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist, part of the project team is supported by FAO SAP to support the delineation of new Protected Areas and prepare management plans of PAs for both island (Upolu and Savaii) of Samoa.

Reporting Lines

The Incumbent will work under the overall guidance of National Project Director (MNRE) of the project; the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer, SAP; guidance and in close collaboration with GEF technical team at SAP.  

Technical Focus

The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist will support the project for improved coverage and management of terrestrial protected areas in both island of Samoa.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist will perform task as following:

Support the official designation of terrestrial PAs (5) for two main islands in close coordination with the project coordinator and executing entity

•     Conduct surveys, national stakeholders and field level consultation to delineate the area of the proposed five Protected Areas (PAs)
•     Update boundary (polygon) and different locations using GPS through site visit to aid map preparation of the PAs
•     Prepare different map sets (based on zones-buffer, core and resource use, other information) to support the documentation for each of the PA
•     Prepare ecological, bio-physical, and social description of all the proposed PAs
•     Prepare 5 PA designation documentations for Government approval 
•     Prepare at least 3 Management Plans of the 3 PAs to be declared
•     Prepare the management plan of the remaining 2 Pas, upon approval of the earlier 3 PAs

Update participatory management plan of terrestrial national park (2) of each of the island

•     Evaluate the existing Management Plan of two PA where new information and data to be required
•     Assess the status of the implementation of the past management plans and its action achieved 
•     Assess the status of biodiversity and threats in the PAs to update on the status and action in the plan
•     Conduct stakeholder consultation at local/site level to ensure women’s participation in the management of the resources in the PA management 
•     Prepare draft management plan of the two PAs (Maugao Salafai- Savaii, and Lake Lanotoo-Upolu) and share with the national stakeholders/government for review and feedback
•     Share the final management plan of the two PA for government approval

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Natural Resource Management /Forestry/Conservation Ecology/Protected Area Management. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in PA delineation and management plan preparation
•     Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Work experience in Southeast Asia/Small Island Developing States  
•     Extent and relevance of experience in Protected Areas Management Systems
•     Extent and relevance of experience in field survey, consultation and document drafting  
•     Familiarity on using Geographical Information System, Remote Sensing and Aerial Photo interpretation and Global Positioning System (GPS) for map preparation