Chief Technical Advisor (CTA)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which was established in 194

• FAO's mission is to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. The organization focuses on various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development, and works closely with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in forests and agriculture (MELBA Malawi) project. This project aims to operationalize a national MEL framework for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in the agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors from 2026 to 202

• The CTA will be responsible for leading all technical activities related to the project, ensuring that they align with the objectives of both the MELBA and the Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM) project. The CTA will also serve as the Geospatial Expert for the EbAM project, focusing on the design and deployment of a Spatial Information Management System (SIMS) tailored to the project's needs. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, research institutions, and international partners, to ensure effective implementation and integration of project outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief Technical Advisor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: providing overall technical leadership and quality assurance for the MELBA project in Malawi; supervising the National Project Coordinator and District Coordinators; engaging with technical stakeholders and facilitating inter-ministerial coordination; leading the design and operationalization of a SIMS; contributing to the development of MEL architecture, tools, and indicators; coordinating capacity development and knowledge sharing activities; ensuring policy integration and resource mobilization; preparing annual project reports and leading donor consultations; implementing environmental and social safeguards; developing geo-locational profiles and thematic maps; conducting spatial vulnerability assessments; and performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in geography, GIS/Remote Sensing, environmental science, climate change, ecology, forestry, natural resources management, or a related field recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. They should have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project cycle management in the fields of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and nature-based solutions, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation with a focus on geospatial analysis. Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of additional languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as geography, GIS/Remote Sensing, environmental science, climate change, ecology, forestry, or natural resources management. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively lead the technical aspects of the MELBA project.

Experience:
Candidates should have a substantial level of experience, specifically at least 10 years in project cycle management related to Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and nature-based solutions. Additionally, they must have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, particularly with a focus on geospatial analysis. This extensive experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively oversee the technical activities and ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Languages:
Full proficiency or working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates should have proficiency in one or more of the following languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian. Knowledge of a second FAO language may be beneficial and can be included if relevant to the assignment.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to be full-time and will involve working closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and international partners. The role may require international travel for stakeholder engagement and project implementation. The contract duration is linked to the project timeline, which runs from 2026 to 202

• Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications and experience.