Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind.

The “Enhancing water-food security and climate resilience in volcanic island countries of the Pacific” project (GCP /SAP/GFF/002) is a trilateral Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters (IW) project among the volcanic Pacific Island Countries (PICs) of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. FAO is the Implementing Agency (IA) and the Pacific Community (SPC) is the Executing Agency (EA).

Volcanic PICs are generally characterized by heavy dependence on traditional agriculture and suffer from environmental degradation with often devastating effects, determining structural constraints for economic growth, human development and environmental sustainability. Groundwater is particularly abundant in volcanic PICs. Its exploitation, however, is concentrated along more densely populated coastal areas, targeting vulnerable coastal aquifers. These are challenged, quantitatively and qualitatively, from contamination - sewage (poor sanitation), urban runoff, agro-chemicals and solid waste – and salinization, due to both overexploitation and seawater intrusion.

The overall project objective is “to enhance water and food security and climate resilience, sustain ecosystem services, and relieve pressure on over-exploited coastal aquifers by expanding and assessing the role of volcanic aquifers and by introducing sound groundwater governance frameworks in selected volcanic island states of the Pacific.” Specific outcomes include:
Outcome 1.1. The knowledge of the exploitable groundwater resources improved in the three project island states.
Outcome 2.1. Sound groundwater governance frameworks and policies are adopted.
Outcome 3.1. Groundwater is integrated into IWRM policies and practices.
Outcome 4.1. Enhanced national capacities in groundwater assessment, monitoring and management.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist – Mid-Term Review (MTR) will perform task under the overall supervision of FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific; guidance of Forestry Officer (SAP); and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) (RAP). The specialist will closely work with the Officials at the Regional and Sub-regional offices of FAO, and International Lead Consultant - MTR and relevant Ministries, and its departments in their respective country to perform the tasks.

Technical Focus

The National Specialist will play a key role in their respective country to support the Mid-Term Review of the above project in close coordination with the International Lead Consultant - MTR, and with government entities and stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review the relevant background documentation made available by MTR Manager, International Lead Consultant - MTR, and project team: the project document, the project’s logframe, progress and final reports, workshop and technical reports, among other;
• In accordance with the methodological approach described in the terms of reference, contribute to the preparation of data-collection tools, including questionnaires, checklists and interview protocols, as appropriate; as possible, participate in the finalization of the MTR team’s work programme;
• Participate actively in the collection of primary data, as required by and identified in the MTR matrix, under the leadership of the International Lead Consultant - MTR during the country visits, among other things, through interviews and meetings (face-to-face or virtual) with key stakeholders, such as government entities, project partners (the Pacific Community [SPC]), the FAO Representative, external partners, project beneficiaries, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia and research institutions;
• Contribute to the consolidation of all evidence collected during the MTR process in a structured format following the key MTR questions and criteria; ensure that all primary and secondary data collected are recorded during the MTR process and organized in a structured format following the key MTR questions, based on which all findings will be triangulated;.
• Participate in the analysis and discussion of evidence collected during the MTR to identify key findings that respond to MTR issues and questions, and formulate preliminary conclusions and recommendation as discussed and agreed with the International Lead Consultant - MTR;
• Deliver inputs (including written, as required by the International Lead Consultant - MTR) on the specific areas of assessment, per the overall terms of reference, to all deliverables, including: the inception report, debriefing sessions following field missions, the draft MTR report according to the specifications provided in the terms of reference, and participate in addressing and integrating any feedback on the draft report from reviewers (e.g. the budget holder, FAO GEF CU, government counterparts, local-community stakeholders), as appropriate, and support the International Lead Consultant - MTR in finalizing the report, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Environment Science/Natural Resources Management/Water Resources Management or related fields
• 3 years of relevant experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of bi-lateral or multi-lateral funded projects/programmes including either Mid-Term Review or Terminal Evaluation
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands or Fiji

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Working experience with UN agencies in the Pacific is required

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION