Asociado/a en Manejo de Recursos Naturales

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Position Title: Asociado/a en Manejo de Recursos Naturales
Location: Panama City
Country: Panama
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the principal organization of the United Nations in the fight against poverty, inequality, and climate change. Established to support countries in achieving sustainable development, UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, providing assistance in policy development, leadership skills, institutional capacity building, and resilience building. In Panama, UNDP works at national, municipal, and regional levels, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from marginalized populations, including indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and women.

Job Overview:
The position of Associate in Natural Resource Management is crucial for the implementation of integrated watershed management projects in the Panama Canal Watershed. The incumbent will work under the coordination of the Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Production team, focusing on designing and planning productive models that ensure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and the commercialization of surplus products. This role involves supervising contractors, collaborating with various institutions, and generating alliances to enhance project outcomes. The Associate will also contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural practices and the protection of natural resources, ensuring that the initiatives align with the broader goals of environmental sustainability and community empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for project execution and operation.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of integral productive models, including reforestation and agroforestry activities.
• Assist in minimizing environmental issues and optimizing natural resource use through agricultural and reforestation projects.
• Establish processes for managing natural resources, particularly water, to prevent overexploitation.
• Prepare Terms of Reference (ToRs) for projects related to proposed models.
• Conduct assessments of natural resources to establish productive activities in the area.
• Support landowners and contractors in executing projects for food security and formalizing agreements.
• Participate in pilot farms to validate productive models and best practices.
• Produce periodic reports on project progress. 1
• Maintain communication with the Territory Management team to ensure project goals are met. 1
• Engage with stakeholders, including communities and local authorities, for project identification and follow-up.

Required Qualifications:

• Secondary education is required; a university degree in Natural Resources, Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Environmental Management, or Forestry is preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience with secondary education or four years with a university degree in agricultural production systems.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint), Zoom, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
• Experience in implementing and monitoring sustainable agriculture projects and community engagement in sustainable development.

Educational Background:
A secondary education is required, with a preference for a university degree in relevant fields such as Natural Resources, Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Environmental Management, or Forestry. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of resource management and sustainable practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in agricultural production systems if they only possess a secondary education. If they hold a university degree, a minimum of four years of experience is required. Experience in sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and project management is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position may require working in remote areas, including hiking, horseback riding, and using boats for fieldwork. Candidates should be prepared for extended hours, including weekends and holidays, and may need to stay overnight in work areas as project demands dictate. A valid driver's license is required, and experience driving 4x4 vehicles in difficult terrain is preferred. Candidates must also possess a swimming ability due to the nature of the work near water bodies.