CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - Governance of Tenure and Land Degradation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Land and Water Division (CBL) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is responsible to act as a focal point to support the implementation of the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). During the 14^th Conference of Parties (New Delhi, India, 2-13 September 2019) the Members Countries have affirmed the relevance of the responsible governance of tenure to support the convention implementation. The member countries have requested FAO to support the preparation of a technical guide to ensure the integration of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) into the convention implementation. FAO has also committed to organize a consensus and knowledge generation event in 2020 to support the technical guide preparation.

Reporting Lines

The specialist will be part of the Integrated Landscape Management team of CBL and he/ she will be under the overall supervision of the team leader and under the operational supervision of the PSP-L land tenure officer and a Land & Water officer.

Technical Focus

Land tenure governance, VGGT implementation, sustainable land management, land degradation neutrality, UNCCD Convention.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the designated officer for the decision implementation process:

• Provide technical inputs and prepare documents (concept notes, presentations, draft outlines, draft agendas, others), receive and consolidate comments and inputs, edit documents and draft meetings minutes to ensure efficient communication between the various concerned FAO units and UNCCD;
• Assist the preparation of the background documentation for the event;
• Support organize and facilitate large e-consultation within FAO and with external networks to create a bank of experiences on land degradation and governance of tenure;
• Support organization and facilitate processes of review of preparatory documents with partners;
• Organize and ensure knowledge management throughout the overall process by creating and managing shared files, creating and organizing the bank of experiences;
• Support the planning and the organization of the experts and multi-stakeholders event by facilitating the formulation of the agenda, contacting speakers and participants, elaborating background notes, coordinating with administrative services for the organization of travels, catering, translation and other needs as identified;
• Any other duty requested. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (for Consultants) University degree (for PSA) in Agronomy, Geography, Natural Resources Management, Land Administration, Soils science, Political science.
• At least 1 year (Level C), 5 years (Level B) of relevant experience In governance of tenure and sustainable land management, on land policy and legal framework 
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for Consultants)/Working knowledge of English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian (for PSAs)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries, at field and national levels, in dryland area or SIDS or developing country.
• Extent and relevance of experience in governance of tenure, sustainable land management, land restauration, UNCCD implementation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and facilitating e – consultation processes in in an inclusive and participatory, gender sensitive way, by empowering vulnerable and marginalized stakeholders to participate efficiently in the process.
• Extent and relevance of experience in designing and ensuring knowledge management of large number of documents and stakeholders
• Extent and relevance on navigating and facilitating politically sensitive and potentially controversial issues related to governance of tenure, sustainable land management, land restauration, UNCCD implementation.
• Familiarity with FAO work on governance of tenure and on land degradation would be considered as a plus.
• Familiarity with UN conventions is desirable.