Project Assistant

Organizational Setting

The objective of the project “Reversing Desertification Process in Susceptible Areas of Brazil: Sustainable Agroforestry Practices and Biodiversity Conservation (REDESER) is to interrupt and reverse the desertification process through actions to address the increasingly strong causes of soil degradation and biodiversity loss in Areas Susceptible to Desertification (ASD) with focused actions,  but not restricted to the areas of the States of Bahia, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Alagoas.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Representative in FAO Brazil – Programme.

Technical Focus

Under the general supervision of the Technical Coordinator of the Project and the Better Environmental Area Coordinator, the Project Assistant will be responsible for developing the following activities:
•    The Project's actions are structured in five complementary components, namely:
Promote the Integrated Management of Natural Resources in productive landscapes of ASD; 2) Promote multiple-use forest management through the adoption and expansion of Sustainable Forest Management among family farmers in ASD; 3) Forest and Landscape Restoration, in order to contribute to the economies of communities and the maintenance of biodiversity; 4) Knowledge Management, capacity development and awareness aimed at communities and institutions involved in environmental licensing processes, and; 5) Coordination with other institutions, monitoring and evaluation

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Support Project Coordination in the preparation of Progress Reports, Work Plans, Financial Reports or other documents that are required for Project accountability, including the co-financing participation;
•    Support the implementation and monitoring of work plans and executive plans of the project;
•    Support the organization, make records and participate, when necessary, in seminars, conferences, workshops, technical and operational meetings, and events to be held, as well as the Strategic Committee of the Project;
•    Support the process to execute the activities with GEF resources in accordance with FAO Standards and Procedures;
•    Organize project information through a system of archiving physical and electronic documents in the FAO system, keeping it properly updated;
•    Feed and keep up-to-date project monitoring systems, including the ON TRACK FAO system, as demanded by the Project Coordinator and the Better Environmental area Coordinator.
•    Support the preparation and consolidation of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the processes of acquisition of goods and materials and contracting of services (Bids or Letters of Agreement), according to FAO standards and approbation process. 
•    Monitor the delivery times of the products of the contracted services and verify that equipment and materials meet the required specifications;
•    Prepare travel requests, in accordance with FAO Standards and Procedures, aiming at the execution of project activities.
•    Support for the FAO Brazil portfolio as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING: 

Minimum Requirements  

•    At least university degree (Bachelor’s)  in Forest Engineering, Ecology, Environmental Science, or any other linked to natural resource management, international relationship and public policies.  
•    At least three years' experience in the environmental field, in project management in the areas of: Sustainable Forest Management, Ecosystem Management, Biodiversity, Soil Conservation, Sustainable Rural Development
•    Experience in development and/or implementation of projects financed by the GEF or other multilateral donors, as well as projects with federal and subnational governments funded by international donors; 
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Portuguese
•    Brazilian nationality.

FAO Core Competencies 

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in development and/or implementation of socioenvironmental projects.
•    Work in relevant at FAO or other International Organizations involving governmental agencies, science institutions, private sector and local producers and communities and/or their organizations/associations.
•    Knowledge or experience in Brazilian semiarid.
•    Experience in development and/or implementation initiatives in the Caatinga Biome.
•    Experience in coordinating processes and activities and technical and institutional events.
•    Initiative, dynamism, proactivity, creativity, organization, and entrepreneurship.

Selection Criteria

•    Knowledge or experience in project management.
•    Knowledge or experience in the environmental area, in particular in Project matters: Sustainable Forest Management, Ecosystem Management, Biodiversity, Soil Conservation, Sustainable Rural Development;
•    Ability to produce texts and technical reports.
•    Be available to work (travel) in places with little infrastructure (rural areas);
•    Knowledge or experience in Brazilian semiarid;
•    Ability to coordinate processes and activities;
•    Availability to carry out frequent external activities at the service (trips and field activities in the project's area of operation).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION