National Value Chains and Rural Finance Specialist - SURAGGWA

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.
The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, and the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment. Effective and efficient coordination and provision of technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    In collaboration with the Team Leader, prepare and present a communication on the contribution of wild foods and forests to healthy diets, and nutrition for the most vulnerable, as well as on bioeconomy for sustainable food and agriculture, based on AAD/GGW publications (socio-economic baselines) and published materials on northern Nigeria. 
•    Prepare and deliver appropriate learning needs and tools for the target audience and provide on-demand technical and advisory support requested for the development, implementation and reporting on project activities. 
•    Review all the task and activities contained in the project document and produce a comprehensive matrix to clearly indicate the training needs and modules for the promotion of Non-Timber Forest Products NTFP’s and reporting modalities. 
•    Carry out a comprehensive base line assessment on NTFP’s.
•    Facilitate trainings at community level to explain in depth the restoration process from both a technical (development of proposals of sub-projects on landscape restoration investments and of NTFP value chain strengthening) and organizational standpoint.
•    Train the communities on how to establish the NTFP nursery and to oversee and participate in all steps of the restoration.
•    Act as Technical Lead to produce handouts and reports on strengthening country capacities to enable forest-base contributions to healthy and sustainable agrifood systems in Nigeria and backstopping as required. 
•    Oversee assessments on capturing consumption of wild/forest foods in dietary and on a global methodology for assessing ecological sustainability of NTFP harvest and production in SURAGGWA States and capacity strengthening for improved data on NTFPs.  
•    Provide technical guidance/guidelines for the project on wild food/NTFP in collaboration with implementing States and national partners. 
•    Participate in Technical Meetings Workshops related to the project and or other Environment projects in the representation.
•    Support the Representation in any other technical area as delegated by the FAOR.
•    Prepare and submit all progress reports linked to the deliverables. 
•    Coordinate the preparation of technical reports, terms of reference, reports, presentations and any other document required as technical support that is necessary within the framework of the implementation of the Project and the MGAS. 
•    Assess institutional gaps and propose capacity-building strategies 
•    Develop frameworks for inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement. 
•    Support establishment of monitoring and reporting systems at institutional level
•    Facilitate training programs for government, NAGGW and community actors.
•    Provide technical support for institutional reforms and governance improvements.
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes. 
•    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en    
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia    
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en   
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en    
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm    
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en       
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Environmental studies, Value Chain Development or other related discipline 
•    At least five years’ experience in Forestry/Community mobilization 
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Hausa
•    National of Nigeria                
                            
 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in field implementation of environmental, land restoration or natural resource management programmes.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in environmental and social safeguards implementation, including environmental and social risk management.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion within community-based environmental and livelihood initiatives.
•    Demonstrated understanding of environmental and social management frameworks, safeguard information systems and compliance requirements in development programmes.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in stakeholder engagement, community participation and coordination with relevant institutions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in grievance redress, accountability and community feedback mechanisms.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in land restoration, sustainable landscape management and ecosystem rehabilitation initiatives.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in non-timber forest product value chains and climate-resilient livelihood interventions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme monitoring, safeguards reporting and results tracking.
•    Extent and relevance of experience working in Northern Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by land degradation, climate variability and environmental challenges.

Selection Criteria

•    Extensive and relevant experience in data analysis to support Biodiversity and Climate Research, 
•    Experience in facilitating workshops, and training courses in improvement of knowledge and returns for climate smart traditional crops (e.g., millet, sorghum, cowpeas, etc) often planted between the restored rows,
•    Excellent skill on training to enhance the effectiveness and equity in the distribution of NTFP value chain benefits.
•    Working knowledge of at least two predominant languages spoken within the project area (e.g. Hausa, Kanuri and/or Fulfulde) is added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION