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 to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Established to assist nations in building integrated and sustainable solutions for people and the planet, UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, providing support for policy development, leadership skills, institutional capacity building, and resilience building. In Panama, UNDP works at the 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 and ensuring a culture of respect and empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Associate in Natural Resource Management will be responsible for executing activities related to the integrated management of the Panama Canal watershed. This role involves designing and planning sustainable agricultural models, agroforestry, and silvopastoral systems to 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. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including local communities and governmental institutions, to implement projects aimed at protecting natural resources and enhancing the economic conditions of producers in the watershed. The Associate will also supervise contractors and contribute to inter-institutional coordination to generate beneficial alliances.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for project execution and operation.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of integral productive models, reforestation activities, agroforestry, and silvopastoral practices.
• Assist in minimizing environmental issues and optimizing the use of natural resources through agricultural and reforestation projects.
• Establish processes for managing natural resources, particularly water, to prevent overexploitation.
• Prepare terms of reference for projects related to agroforestry and erosion control.
• Conduct assessments to measure the ecosystem's capacity for productive activities.
• Support landowners and contractors in executing projects for food security and formalizing agreements.
• Participate in pilot farms to validate productive models and best practices in sustainable agriculture.
• Generate periodic reports on project progress. 1
• Maintain communication with the Panama Canal Authority's Environmental Policies and Protection Division to ensure project goals are met. 1
• Engage with communities, local authorities, and other stakeholders to identify and follow up on project beneficiaries. 1
• Perform additional tasks as assigned to support project management.

Required Qualifications:

• Secondary education is required; a university degree in Natural Resources, Agronomy, Environmental Engineering, or a related field 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, One Drive, and SharePoint.
• Experience in sustainable agriculture project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation is desired.
• Knowledge of reforestation and conservation practices is an advantage.

Educational Background:
A secondary education is required. A university degree in Natural Resources, Agronomy, Environmental Engineering, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory. Candidates with relevant experience may also be considered favorably.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in agricultural production systems with a secondary education or four years with a university degree. Experience in sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and project management is highly valued.

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

Additional Notes:
The position may require working in remote areas, including hiking, horseback riding, and using small boats. Candidates should be available for weekend and holiday work, as well as extended hours beyond eight hours. Occasional overnight stays in work areas may be necessary. A valid driver's license is required, and experience driving 4x4 vehicles in difficult terrain is preferred. Candidates must also be able to swim due to work assignments near water.