Protected Area Management Plan Specialist

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• 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind.

The project “Advancing integrated participatory spatial planning to enhance Samoa’s globally significant biodiversity at a national scale” was approved on 30 July 2025 by GEF CEO for implementation. FAO will co-execute the project with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Government of Samoa. The objective of the project is to support integrated spatial planning with Samoa’s landscapes to enhance global significance biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. The project works under three interwoven components namely: (I) Enabling environment for effective biodiversity conservation and management (II) Integrated Participatory spatial planning and management effectiveness and (III) Knowledge management, learning and gender mainstreaming. The project will work in both the islands of Samoa: Upolu and Savaii; and support to generate outcomes not limited to the followings: (i) Increased capacities for Other Effective area based Conservation Measures (OECM)/Protected Area (PA) management and planning (ii) Strengthened coordination for PA/OECM management (iii) Strengthened coordination for PA/OECM management (iii) Improved health and adaptive capacity (iv) Increased PA and OECM extent.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be in-housed at MNRE with a team of professionals including Conservation Planning & NRM Specialist; Administration Officer; and Knowledge Management and M&E Specialist. Other several short-term national and international consultants will technically support to accomplish the specific output of the project.
The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist, part of the project team is supported by FAO SAP to support the delineation of new Protected Areas and prepare management plans of PAs for both island (Upolu and Savaii) of Samoa.

Reporting Lines

The Incumbent will work under the overall guidance of National Project Director (MNRE) of the project; the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer, SAP; guidance and in close collaboration with GEF technical team at SAP.

Technical Focus

The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist will support the project for improved coverage and management of terrestrial protected areas in both island of Samoa.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Protected Area Management Plan Specialist will perform task as following:

Support the official designation of terrestrial PAs (5) for two main islands in close coordination with the project coordinator and executing entity

• Conduct surveys, national stakeholders and field level consultation to delineate the area of the proposed five Protected Areas (PAs)
• Update boundary (polygon) and different locations using GPS through site visit to aid map preparation of the PAs
• Prepare different map sets (based on zones-buffer, core and resource use, other information) to support the documentation for each of the PA
• Prepare ecological, bio-physical, and social description of all the proposed PAs
• Prepare 5 PA designation documentations for Government approval
• Prepare at least 3 Management Plans of the 3 PAs to be declared
• Prepare the management plan of the remaining 2 Pas, upon approval of the earlier 3 PAs

Update participatory management plan of terrestrial national park (2) of each of the island

• Evaluate the existing Management Plan of two PA where new information and data to be required
• Assess the status of the implementation of the past management plans and its action achieved
• Assess the status of biodiversity and threats in the PAs to update on the status and action in the plan
• Conduct stakeholder consultation at local/site level to ensure women’s participation in the management of the resources in the PA management
• Prepare draft management plan of the two PAs (Maugao Salafai- Savaii, and Lake Lanotoo-Upolu) and share with the national stakeholders/government for review and feedback
• Share the final management plan of the two PA for government approval

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Natural Resource Management /Forestry/Conservation Ecology/Protected Area Management. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in PA delineation and management plan preparation
• Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in Southeast Asia/Small Island Developing States
• Extent and relevance of experience in Protected Areas Management Systems
• Extent and relevance of experience in field survey, consultation and document drafting
• Familiarity on using Geographical Information System, Remote Sensing and Aerial Photo interpretation and Global Positioning System (GPS) for map preparation

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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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