National Professional Officer

Job Description National Professional Officer (Senior Rangeland Management Expert)

Type of Requisition: NPO (National Professional Officer)

Primary Location: Saudi Arabia-Riyadh

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project 'UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA's Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme' is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components:

1. Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing;
2. Development of beekeeping and honey production;
3. Development of rose production and trade;
4. Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing;
5. Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers;
6. Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders;
7. Development of rain-fed cereals production;
8. Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities;
9. Strengthening MoEWA's capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.

The incumbent will be part of the Programme Management Unit of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Director of the FAO-KSA Technical Cooperation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Professional Officer (Senior Rangeland Management Expert), reports directly to the Chief Technical Adviser of the Project Component "Strengthening MoEWA's capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods".

Technical Focus

Programme development and management, coordination and operational support based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language, and institutions of Saudi Arabia.

Key Results

Effective and efficient management and coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project.

Key Functions

• Participates in policy dialogue and advises government authorities, local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities and liaises with other UN agencies. Represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.
• Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including the coordination of development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.
• Coordinates and manages the maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and monitor and communicate changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
• Takes the lead in producing technical, economic and policy studies as well as developing country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
• Identifies, formulates and coordinates the preparation of programme and project proposals, monitors FAO field programme implementation, ensuring that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document, and makes recommendations on how to improve results and increase efficiency.
• Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job. Ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided.

Specific Functions

• Leads baseline assessment and diagnostic studies of rangeland to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector.
• Leads the field organization and implementation of inventories of rangeland and natural resources of Saudi Arabia and conducts a study on Integrated Pest Management for rangeland vegetation cover protection.
• Conducts rangeland carrying capacity, assess challenges, identifies and ensures appropriate management of range areas and the production of quality seeds of rangeland plants.
• Leads field assessment of the current livestock grazing systems including community-based systems, water harvesting and identify rangeland management practices, and establish pilot demonstration sites and disseminates results and prepare strategy for promotion of best practices in Saudi Arabia.
• Assists the design and leads field assessment to prepare livestock grazing and rangeland management environmental, social, cultural and economic profile for each target region.
• Benchmarks best practices, and systems for sustainable community livestock grazing and rangeland management.
• Assists the development of a framework of criteria and indicators for evaluating performance of community-based practices for livestock grazing and rangeland management.
• Contributes to assessment and quantification of rainwater harvesting potential for rangeland improvement within the target regions and prepares and updates guidelines for rainwater harvesting for supporting rangeland improvement and fodder production.
• Leads the development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the south and the north for sustainable rangeland management.
• Supervises and contributes to preparation and dissemination of various written project component outputs, e.g. background papers, sector reviews, diagnostic studies, technical reports, progress reports, terminal report and identifies lessons learned, sections of technical reports and studies, manuals, guidelines and checklists and knowledge products.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Advanced University degree in rangeland conservation and management, natural resources management or any other related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in sustainable rangeland management and natural resources management and/or project management in the field of sustainable rural agricultural development.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of Arabic and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of English.

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in rangeland and/or natural resources management.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to natural resources management, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.