Natural Resource Management (NRM) Specialist

Organizational Setting:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. 
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. 
FAO India is currently implementing the ‘Promotion of Sustainable Food Systems in India through Transforming Rice-Wheat Systems’ Project under the GEF-7 cycle. This five-year project focuses on four states - Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The project will: 1) result in major global environmental benefits in terms of reduced land degradation, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions; 2) provide the country with win-win benefits in terms of improvements in the environmental sustainability of food systems and the income and resilience of farmers, and; 3) generate additional benefits for other food system stakeholders such as improved access to safe and healthy food and to employment opportunities. The project is aligned with the global objectives of the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program, contributing to integrated landscape management and sustainable food systems transformation in India.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in India.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India and Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and the direct technical supervision of the National Technical Coordinator. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok, other NPMU technical experts (Agronomist, M&E, Gender and Social inclusion, Capacity Development, Value Chain, Knowledge Management), and the State and District Project Management/Implementation Units and Operational Partners.

Technical Focus:

The Natural Resource Management (NRM) Specialist will provide specialized technical support and technical inputs on landscape management, ecosystem restoration and natural resource governance aspects of the GEF-7 Project. Working within the NPMU and under the supervision of the National Technical Coordinator, the incumbent will support the design, technical review, monitoring and review of activities Integrated Landscape Management and Restoration, and support linkages   with the sustainable production and value chain work and the policy/decision-support work, in accordance with FAO-GEF technical and safeguards standards.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the National Technical Coordinator, and working closely with the NPMU, State Project Management Units (SPMUs), District Project Management Units (DPIUs), and Operational Partner teams, the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Specialist will:
•     Provide technical inputs and support for the assessment, planning and implementation and review of Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) and landscape restoration activities in line with the Project Document, AWPBs and FAO-GEF standards.
•     Support the design and roll-out of community-based sustainable landscape management capacity-building activities, including ILM Field Schools, orientation of district officers, and training of Master Trainers, while supporting linkages with Farmer Field Schools.
•     Support National Technical Coordinator in the establishment and strengthening of inter-sectoral institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms related to ILM at inter-district, district and sub-district levels, including Water User Associations and other community institutions.
•     Support responsible state coordinators of NPMU in preparation of integrated district-level landscape management and restoration plans for sustainable food systems.       
•     Provide technical inputs for the integration of ILM planning processes with the GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS), including the application of GIS, geospatial data and climate resilience indicators for landscape assessment, planning and prioritization,  
•     Provide technical support on the formulation of ecosystem and landscape restoration plan covering degraded agricultural lands, forests, grasslands, shrublands and wetlands, with an emphasis on nature-based solutions.
•     Support National Technical Coordinator in identification, appraisal and technical backstopping of sustainable livelihood options compatible with ecosystem restoration, including agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and other restoration-based value chains.
•     Provide inputs in developing convergence mechanism for the project interventions with relevant Government programmes and schemes to promote integrated landscape management, ecosystem restoration and sustainable food systems.
•     Provide technical inputs on land degradation neutrality, and climate change mitigation and adaptation for project planning, monitoring and reporting, including the Project Results Framework, GEF Core Indicators, and the relevant project reports.
•     Support the review of applicable environmental and social safeguards relevant to landscape restoration and natural resource management interventions, in coordination with the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist and under the supervision of the National Technical Coordinator.
•     Support responsible State Coordinators in strengthening the capacities of SPMUs, DPIUs, Operational Partners and   on ILM approaches, participatory planning, GIS-based planning tools, and provided technical inputs  for the review of  related outputs and reports.
•     Support the preparation of technical inputs, knowledge products, lessons learned, case studies and evidence on ILM for project reporting, communication and sustainability planning.
•     Support the National Technical Coordinator by providing technical inputs to national and state-level technical, policy and coordination forums related to Integrated Landscape Management, landscape governance, ecosystem restoration and natural resource management.
•     Perform other related duties as required to support the effective implementation of the project, under the supervision of the National Technical Coordinator,

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements:

•     Advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in Natural Resource Management/Environmental Science/Agricultural Engineering/Watershed Management/ Rural Development, or a related discipline relevant to Integrated Landscape Management (ILM).
•     At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), landscape restoration, natural resource management, watershed management, participatory planning, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Hindi.
•     National of India or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical skills and competencies:

•     Demonstrated knowledge of Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), ecosystem restoration, landscape governance, and sustainable natural resource management.
•     Strong technical knowledge of land degradation neutrality, watershed management, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, ecosystem-based adaptation, and nature-based solutions.
•     Experience in GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, spatial modelling, and Decision Support Systems (DSS) for landscape planning, monitoring, and restoration.
•     Experience in designing and implementing community-based landscape restoration programmes, including agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, restoration-based livelihoods, and NTFP value chains.
•     Experience in facilitating multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder coordination, including Government departments, research institutions, civil society organizations, community institutions, and private sector partners.
•     Familiarity with Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), GEF policies and procedures, and safeguards applicable to landscape restoration programmes.
•     Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, technical writing, and report preparation skills.
•     Experience in preparing project monitoring frameworks, knowledge products, lessons learned, case studies, and donor reports.
•     Experience working with FAO, GEF, UN agencies, or other international development organizations would be an asset.

Selection Criteria:

•     Demonstrated experience in the application of GIS, remote sensing, spatial data, and map-based planning for landscape assessment, planning, and monitoring.
•     Experience working with Government, including the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Forest, Water Resources and Panchayati Raj; district administrations; Gram Panchayats; Water User Associations (WUAs); Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs); implementation of rural development programmes, including the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G]; Forest Rights Committees (FRCs); and other community-based organizations.
•     Experience working with FAO, GEF, UN agencies, or other multilateral development programmes, would be highly desirable.