Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and with funding from the Global Climate Fund (GCF) is rolling out implementation of the project on Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM).  The project aims at creating more climate resilient livelihoods in vulnerable communities as landscapes and ecosystems’ capacity to supply goods and services will be enhanced as well as farmers’ ability to use them in a way that is sustainable and adapted to climate change. This will be achieved through increased climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilization of productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhanced enabling environment (finance and policies) to sustain, replicate and scale-up climate resilient watershed ecosystems and agriculture practices. The project will be implemented in 11 districts in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Close to 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from the project’s initiatives while at the same time, more than 83,000 hectares will be restored through the application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation, thus generating significant environmental and mitigation benefits.

The positions are located in Lilongwe.

Reporting Lines

The National Agroecology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Specialist (NAEAS) will be based at the EbAM Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) in Lilongwe; and work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the EbAM Technical Advisor (TA); and will work closely with the National Project Manager (NPM) and other project team members.

Technical Focus

Provide technical support and services for identification, implementation, monitoring and reporting of EbAM interventions related to agroecology conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assist the TA in facilitating and coordinating the formulation, implementation and periodic reporting of EbAM work plans related to agroecology conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation, especially agriculture extension activities in targeted micro-catchments following Farmers Field School (FFS) approach.
•    Assist in developing training modules for the FFS on: (i) Conservation agriculture practices, (ii) Agrobiodiversity, (iii) Promotion of early maturing, nutrition sensitive, drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops, (iv) Integrated mix-farming systems, (v) General principles and practices of agroecology and permaculture, and (vi) Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture.
•    Organize implementation of Master Trainer’s Course (MTC) and Training of Facilitators (ToF) for the Agriculture Extension Development Officers (AEDO) and Agriculture Extension District Coordinators (AEDC) selected from the targeted districts.
•    Coordinate with relevant government departments to roll out FFS in the targeted micro-catchments, especially organization and setting up of FFS at village level for extension of technologies on crop production, agroforestry, agropastoralism and other EbA practices delivered by the MT and ToF courses.
•    Support farmers and FFS facilitators to benefit from climate information and better develop climate adaptation strategies, through SMS and/or community radio stations.
•    Provide technical advice to FAO EbAM project team, other EbAM Executing Entities and implementing partners on agroecology and EbA approach; support generation and sharing of relevant experiences and practices.
•    Support implementation of interventions on genetic resources conservation and agrobiodiversity promotion through identification, multiplication and dissemination of adaptive crop seeds and tree seedlings, establishment of nurseries, multipliers groups/individuals,  and community seed banks.
•    Provide technical support to operation processing for project implementation, including procurement of identified crop seeds and tree seedlings for the targeted project areas.
•    Provide technical inputs and support in the preparation of project reports to partners, counterparts, FAO and GCF, including the formulation of reports on the results of the execution of the planned activities.
•    Support preparation of agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation related technical reports, presentations, terms of reference and any other document required for EbAM implementation.
•    Support to identification, summarization and documentation of EbAM stories and experiences related to agroecosystem conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation for recording, communication and dissemination.
•    Any other relevant task assigned by the TA.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in agroecology, biodiversity, or other relevant fields.
•    Five years of working experience in agroecology conservation, biodiversity promotion, ecosystem-based adaptation or climate change related areas.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Chichewa.
•    Nationality of Malawi.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Relevance of experience in working with UN agencies or other international organizations on implementation of International Finance Institution funded programmes or projects on EbA, agroecology conservation or biodiversity promotion.
•    Knowledge and skills on approaches and technologies related to EbA, agroecology conservation or biodiversity promotion.
•    Capacity and skill in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, donor community, NGOs and other development partners.
•    Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and work in diversified culture environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION