National GIS and Land Use Planning Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia, based in Tbilisi. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The National GIS and Land Use Planning Specialist will be recruited under the UTF/GEO/034/GEO-F project titled: “Formulation and design of Land Consolidation in Georgia (hereafter referred as “UTF Project”)”.
The overarching goal of the project is to support the introduction of a fully operational land consolidation instrument in Georgia integrated with irrigation rehabilitation in the World Bank Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land (GRAIL) Project. The project is expected to contribute to future increased agricultural production and investments, more efficient use of land and of water for agricultural purposes, more dynamic agricultural land markets, improved access to credit, and improved access to land and strengthened land rights, including for women who own land alone or jointly with men.
Land consolidation in Georgia is expected to result in more efficient farm structures through reduction of land fragmentation and the voluntary facilitation of farm enlargement and in this way contribute to local agricultural development. Land consolidation is planned to be introduced in a multi-purpose approach, integrating the objective of agricultural development with additional public objectives related to nature, environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation depending on the situation in the project areas.
The project will result in a National Land Consolidation Strategy document, legal framework assessment for land consolidation, initiation of implementation of land consolidation pilot projects, initiation of country-wide multicriteria assessment for future land consolidation efforts and the initial development of technical and administrative capacity for implementation of land consolidation projects and management of a future national land consolidation programme.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative for Georgia, and the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator and National GIS and Data Specialist, and in close collaboration with all relevant units of the FAO Country Office in Georgia and international experts.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support to the implementation of the UTF Project with focus on all land consolidation related activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In close collaboration with FAO and under its technical and operational guidance, as well as in coordination with relevant units within MEPA and the LMA, provide GIS, mapping, land administration, and land use planning support for the implementation of land consolidation pilot projects in selected rural areas;
• Develop, maintain, and update geospatial databases and support the preparation of thematic maps, spatial analyses, and technical datasets related to landownership inventory, land valuation, land re-allotment planning, and awareness-raising activities;
• Support coordination and communication with NAPR and other relevant institutions on matters related to cadastral and land registry data, systematic land registration, updating land records, geospatial information, and registration aspects related to land consolidation activities;
• Support implementation of land consolidation pilot activities, including feasibility studies, landownership inventories, stakeholder consultations, landowner and farmer interviews, land re-allotment planning, and coordination of land surveying activities as required;
• Ensure alignment of project activities with applicable data protection requirements, NSDI principles, and relevant national legislation and policies;
• Coordinate, as required, with GRAIL project contractors and technical teams involved in irrigation rehabilitation planning to support integration between irrigation activities and land consolidation interventions;
• Organize and participate in trainings, workshops, awareness-raising activities, and technical meetings related to GIS, land administration, and land consolidation;
• Facilitate communication and coordination among landowners, farmers, government institutions, local authorities, private entities, and other stakeholders involved in pilot implementation activities;
• Support integrated land use planning activities in pilot areas in close consultation with local communities and stakeholders, especially using spatial data planning information available;
• Identify and report technical, data-related, and stakeholder-related risks affecting pilot implementation and support the project team in addressing emerging issues;
• Support quality assurance and technical review of GIS products, cadastral information, mapping outputs, and other technical deliverables prepared under the project;
• Contribute to the development and finalization of technical materials, lessons learned, and recommendations supporting the National Land Consolidation Strategy and future National Land Consolidation Programme;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Geomatics, Land Administration, Land Surveying, Geography, Urban or Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, or a related field;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in GIS, land administration, cadastral systems, land tenure, land management, land use planning, and/or land consolidation-related activities;
o Proven experience in the practical application of GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS), geospatial database management, mapping, and spatial analysis;
o Strong understanding of land governance, land tenure systems, cadastral and land registry systems, and institutional frameworks related to land administration in Georgia;
o Experience working with cadastral data, land registry information, landownership inventories, and systematic land registration processes;
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English is required;
• National of Georgia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases, data and analytical information management, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS), spatial analysis, and geospatial database management;
• Experience in mapping, geospatial data management, data analysis, and data quality control;
• Knowledge of cadastral systems of Georgia, land tenure, land registration, and land administration processes;
• Strong coordination, reporting, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Good communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills;

Selection Criteria

• Experience with land tenure, land registry data, cadastre maps, landownership inventory, and systematic land registration processes;
• Experience working with international organizations. Working experience at a UN is an asset. Good understanding of Georgia’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), data protection requirements, and relevant Government policies and frameworks;
• Experience working with international organizations, Government agencies, development partners, and multidisciplinary project teams is an asset;
• Previous working experience with a UN organization is an asset;
• Experience working with rural communities and farmers is an asset;
• Excellent communication, coordination, and negotiation skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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