Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, 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. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GCF- funded project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands (CS-FOR)” (GCP/KYR/020/GCF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. The project objective is to increase carbon sequestration through supporting climate investments in forests and rangelands and through reducing drivers of degradation and emissions via institutional support, participatory ecosystem-based sustainable management of natural resources and green growth investments. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to contribute to the development of a low carbon-emission and climate-resilient economy, while capitalizing important co-benefits from adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Reporting Lines

The Pasture Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist provides support to the project under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for Kyrgyzstan and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic and National Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, social, economics, monitoring and evaluation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Conduct a survey among the staff of Pasture Department and identify gaps in management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of pastures based on evidence and georeferencing;
•    Assess the process of management, M&E of pastures using the GIS in the Pasture Department;
•    Develop a Guide and Plan of creation the management, M&E system of pastures based on gender-disaggregated factual data and geo-referenced on the basis of Pasture Department;
•    Develop Guide for management, M&E of pastures based on evidence and georeferencing based on the Pasture Department;
•    Conduct trainings for Pasture Department staff on Guide of management, M&E of pastures Based on evidence and georeferencing, taking into account the impact of gender inequality;
•    Ensure the implementation of the Plan of creation the management, M&E system of pastures based on gender-disaggregated factual data and geo-referenced on the basis of Pasture Department, including data collection, recording, mapping, development of planning and monitoring tools, verification tools, reporting tools necessary for regular and accurate monitoring;
•    Implement and strengthen the mechanisms of the created management, M&E system of pastures based on gender-disaggregated factual data and geo-referenced on the basis of Pasture Department;
•    Provide technical and expert support to Pasture Department and project ayil okmotu (local authorities);
•    Create a pasture database based on gender-disaggregated evidence and geo-referencing on the basis of Pasture Department;
•    Prepare georeferenced maps of pastures of the project areas to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of the progress of pasture rotation, windbreak forest plantings, carbon sequestration and other activities related to pastures within the framework of the CS-FOR project;
•    Assist to CS-FOR project on engagement the stakeholders in project activities, to conduct evidence-based monitoring and evaluation workshops;
•    Facilitate consultation/workshop – District (2 / district/ year) on GIS / Georeferencing evidence-based monitoring; (Act 1.2.1)
•    Jointly with Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS) support the development and improvement of Integrated Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience Plans (INRMCRP) of project aiyl aimaks (rural districts), taking into account the analysis of the consequences of gender equality and social inclusion;
•    Support the Pasture Department in management, M&E of pastures based on evidence and georeferencing during the implementation of INRMCRP;
•    Provide support to the Pasture Department in mid-term reporting regarding management, M&E of pastures based on evidence and georeferencing;
•    Continue providing support to the Pasture Department in strengthening created management, M&E system, with a focus on climate-sensitive and evidence-based monitoring and decision-making;
•    Closely working with Pasture Department, CS-FOR project, ARIS, project aiyl okmotu in order to ensure the effectiveness of pasture M&E based on evidence, geo-reference and gender focus;
•    Provide project-related support as requested by the PIU/FAO or National Project Coordinator;
•    Provide regular progress reports and contribute to the development of the CS-FOR project reporting process;
•    Conduct monitoring and evaluation the impact of project investments in pastures based on evidence and georeferencing (NDVI analysis and on-site verification);
•    Application of FAO standard M&E procedures and compliance with the Green Climate Fund performance measurement system.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in geographic information technologies, agriculture and other related technical sciences (geography, ecology)
•    At least 7 years of experience in the field of gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation and/or
•    At least 5 years of experience with national, regional or international projects
•    Working knowledge of Russian and Kyrgyz
•    National of the Kyrgyz Republic or resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Excellent communication and inter-personnel skills.
•    Knowledge of geographic information systems and georeferencing methods;
•    Practical experience in working with cartographic materials and georeferencing tools (GPS and mobile applications);
•    Experience with databases (creation, management, processing and analysis) and mapping web services;
•    Experience in the development and implementation of scientifically based monitoring and evaluation systems;
•    Understanding of natural resource management, climate change resilience and related concepts and gender equality issues;
•    Familiarity with remote sensing technologies (NDVI analysis, etc.);
•    Advanced geospatial analysis skills to improve reporting and monitoring accuracy;
•    Ability to monitor and evaluate the impact of project investments using remote sensing techniques;
•    Knowledge and experience in developing M&E systems and conducting evaluations;
•    Ability to analyze data using various methods;
•    Experience in developing training materials, manuals, modular programs, instructions for use;
•    Good knowledge and experience in the field of regional and international climate strategies, programs and their implementation;
•    Knowledge of monitoring carbon sequestration in forests/grasslands;
•    Experience working with ministries, national and municipal institutions, forestry and pasture sectors at the national and local level in Kyrgyzstan;
•    Ability to effectively coordinate large-scale project activities involving stakeholders at various levels;
•    Ability to solve problems and the ability to make effective and timely decisions in crisis situations.

Selection Criteria 

•    Advanced degree in GIS and remote sensing will be an additional advantage;
•    Knowledge of English is an asset.