Consultant for GIAHS/NIAHS Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">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 operates in over 130 countries worldwide, working towards the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for the GIAHS/NIAHS Programme will be based at FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation in Moscow. The primary function of this position is to support the establishment and operationalization of a National Committee for the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS) programme in Russia. The Consultant will work closely with FAO and national partners, including relevant ministries, research institutions, and civil society organizations, to facilitate communication and cooperation in the development and implementation of FAO policies and programmes. This role involves providing technical, organizational, and coordination support to ensure the successful identification, documentation, and nomination of agricultural heritage systems in alignment with FAO guidance and the GIAHS approach. The Consultant will also be responsible for promoting knowledge exchange and raising awareness about the GIAHS/NIAHS process in Russia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Mapping stakeholders and the institutional landscape by identifying and mapping relevant federal and regional authorities, research institutes, universities, civil society organizations, community representatives, private sector partners, and cultural/heritage institutions involved in agricultural heritage.
• Supporting the establishment of the National Committee by drafting terms of reference (ToR), membership criteria, governance, and operational procedures.
• Facilitating consultations and workshops to present the GIAHS/NIAHS concept, gather inputs, and build consensus on the Committee’s mandate and priority candidate systems.
• Assisting in the preparation of guidance and technical materials to help national partners identify, document, and manage candidate NIAHS/GIAHS sites.
• Providing technical support for candidate identification by gathering background information and compiling case studies on potential GIAHS candidate systems.
• Coordinating with the FAO GIAHS secretariat and regional offices to ensure alignment with FAO procedures and events.
• Promoting knowledge exchange by organizing learning exchanges with countries that have established NIAHS/GIAHS committees.
• Supporting communications and outreach by preparing briefing notes, web summaries, and news items to raise awareness about the National Committee’s establishment.
• Monitoring progress and reporting by producing regular updates and a final consultancy report with recommended next steps and an operational roadmap for the National Committee. 1
• Performing any other related tasks as assigned by the Director and/or Liaison Officer.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree or a 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.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in similar fields such as agriculture, traditional agriculture, agro-tourism, sociology, cultural heritage, economics, and finance. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• A working knowledge of English and Russian is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree or a university degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, traditional agriculture, agro-tourism, climate studies, sociology, cultural heritage, or economics. The degree must be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU) or UNESCO.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in fields related to agriculture, traditional agriculture, agro-tourism, sociology, cultural heritage, or economics. Candidates with a bachelor's degree are required to have 7 years of relevant professional experience. The experience should include establishing partnerships, networks, and multi-stakeholder platforms, as well as identifying synergies and opportunities related to GIAHS/NIAHS.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Russian. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with national partners and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The job is based in Moscow, Russia, and the specific contract duration and seniority level have not been specified in the job ad. The position is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be assessed on their ability to work effectively in a team and contribute positively to team operations and relationships. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description.