Agricultural Heritage Systems Consultant (GIAHS/NIAHS)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger and to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
The position is located at FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation (LOR) in Moscow. The incumbent works under the overall supervision of Director, LOR, and reports directly to the Liaison Officer. The incumbent works in close cooperation with all other LOR employees.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the overall supervision of Director, LOR, and reports directly to the Liaison Officer. The incumbent works in close cooperation with all other LOR employees.

Technical Focus

The FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation advises and assists in the development and implementation of FAO policies and programmes by facilitating communication and cooperation between FAO and the Government of the Russian Federation and the private sector, civil society, and academia, as well as between FAO and international organizations based in the Russian Federation.
FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme recognizes and supports outstanding, living agricultural systems that integrate biodiversity, traditional knowledge and cultural practices with sustainable livelihoods. FAO’s GIAHS portal describes the programme, its objectives and the international network of GIAHS sites designated to date. 
FAO has been working with partners in the Russian Federation to promote the GIAHS approach, including national workshops and events to identify potential GIAHS sites and pathways for rural and agri-tourism. FAO’s Moscow Office has been active in supporting identification of candidate systems (for example, traditional pastoral/herding and local food systems) and advancing national coordination for future applications.

FAO’s GIAHS work also encourages countries to mainstream the concept at national level through Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS) and national institutional mechanisms; FAO organises knowledge exchanges to support countries developing national frameworks and committees.

The Consultant will support FAO and national partners in the Russian Federation to establish and operationalize a National Committee for the GIAHS / NIAHS programme. The Consultant will provide technical, organizational and coordination support to the FAO Liaison Office (Moscow), relevant ministries, research institutions and civil society partners to set up a functioning National Committee that can guide identification, documentation and nomination of national and/or global agricultural heritage systems in Russia consistent with FAO guidance and the GIAHS approach.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Map stakeholders and institutional landscape: identify and map relevant federal and regional authorities, research institutes, universities, civil society organizations, community representatives, private sector partners and cultural/heritage institutions involved or interested in agricultural heritage (including potential NIAHS/GIAHS site proposers). 
•     Support establishment of the National Committee: draft terms of reference (ToR), membership criteria, governance and operational procedures for the National Committee for GIAHS/NIAHS in Russia; prepare proposed rosters and suggested institutional representation in line with FAO practice and experience from other countries, if asked by the national partners. 
•     Facilitate consultations and workshops: plan, organize and facilitate national and regional consultations, workshops and awareness events (virtual and in-person) to present the GIAHS/NIAHS concept, gather inputs, and build consensus on the Committee’s mandate and priority candidate systems. 
•     Assist in preparation of guidance and technical materials: prepare templates, guidance notes, checklists and capacity-building materials to help national partners identify, document and manage candidate NIAHS/GIAHS sites (including baseline documentation and case summaries following FAO GIAHS guidance). 
•     Provide technical support for candidate identification: assist in gathering background information, compiling case studies and summarising key technical information on potential GIAHS candidate systems in Russia (e.g., traditional pastoral systems, honey/wild-hive beekeeping, traditional crop/vegetable production systems highlighted by FAO partners), so the National Committee can prioritise nominations. 
•     Coordinate with FAO GIAHS secretariat and regional offices: maintain regular coordination with the FAO GIAHS Secretariat, regional GIAHS focal points and the LOR to ensure alignment with FAO procedures, events and capacity-building offerings. 
•     Promote knowledge exchange: organise knowledge-sharing events or learning exchanges with countries that have established NIAHS/GIAHS committees and document lessons learned for Russia’s context. 
•     Support communications and outreach: prepare briefing notes, web summaries, slide decks and short news items for FAO channels to raise awareness about the National Committee’s establishment and the GIAHS/NIAHS process in Russia. 
•     Monitor progress and report: produce regular progress updates and a final consultancy report including recommended next steps, an operational roadmap for the National Committee, and templates to support future nominations and site management.
•     Any other related tasks as assigned by Director and/or Liaison Officer, LOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•     Advanced university degree/ University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, traditional agriculture, agro-tourism, climate studies, sociology, cultural heritage, economics or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization
•     5 years of relevant experience in similar fields, e.g. agriculture, traditional agriculture, agro-tourism, sociology, cultural heritage, economics and finance/ Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     Working knowledge of English and Russian;

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Relevant academic study in one of the fields of the Organization.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in establishing partnerships, networks, and/or multi-stakeholder platforms, and identifying synergies and opportunities on the GIAHS/NIAHS tracks.
•     Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships
•     Familiarity with FAO processes, initiatives, and policies.
•     Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender sensitive and cross-cultural competency.
•     Excellent writing skills