Job advertisement: August 17, 2026
Date of cancellation of publication: 31/Aug/2026, 23:59:00
Organizational Unit : FLGUA
Job typeTemporary work
Requisition Type : PSA (Personal Services Agreements)
Grade Level : N/A
Main locationHome -Based
Duration : 9 months
Position Number : N/A
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The FAO strives to ensure gender, geographical, and linguistic diversity among its staff and international consultants in order to best serve the Organization’s Member States in all regions.
• FAO is committed to achieving diversity in its workforce with regard to gender, nationality, origin, and culture.
• Women, nationals of underrepresented or underserved Member States, and persons with disabilities who possess the necessary qualifications are encouraged to apply.
• All persons working for FAO must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and uphold FAO’s values.
• As a specialized agency of the United Nations, FAO has a zero-tolerance policy toward conduct inconsistent with its status, objectives, and mandate, in particular sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of power, and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Organizational framework
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Guatemala signed the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2026-2030, which defines the national priorities that the FAO will address through actions at the country level within its strategic frameworks. These priorities aim to guarantee FAO’s comparative advantages to contribute to the achievement of the goals established in State policy instruments such as the National Development Plan K’atún Nuestra Guatemala 2032 (CONADUR-SEGEPLAN, 2014), the National Development Priorities (SEGEPLAN, 2026), the General Government Policy 2024-2028, as well as the United Nations Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development of Guatemala (MC) and the 2030 Agenda, which contribute directly to the three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighted in the new FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031: SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger) and SDG10 (reduced inequalities). In accordance with the commitments outlined in the project document, this consultancy focuses on supporting soil surveys in two departments of Guatemala (El Progreso and Baja Verapaz) using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil taxonomy methodology at the soil family level. These processes will involve physiographic mapping and soil taxonomy. The methodology will encompass sampling design, fieldwork, information systematization methods, data digitization and management, soil data processing, remote sensing and statistical analysis, physiographic analysis, map creation for various purposes, and report generation. Regarding the taxonomic maps, soil sampling and modal profiles will be carried out in the aforementioned departments according to the sampling density specified by the SoilFER digital mapping methodology. The map of identification frecks (boreholes and cajuelas) will be made in the polygons indicated by the digital cartography and the modal profile (associations, consociations and undifferentiated groups) will be made in conjunction with the team of specialists from DIGEGR-MAGA and FAO to harmonize the maps that can be generated.
Two work missions to Guatemala City are planned during the consultancy execution period.
Hierarchical dependency
The Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Representative and the technical supervision of the National Project Coordinator and the Land and Water Officer at FAO Rome;
Field of specialization
Geomorphology, geographic information systems, remote sensing, interpretation and digital processing of satellite images and aerial photographs.
Tasks and responsibilities
The general functions of the profile include, among others, the following:
• Support the design and presentation of the consultancy’s work plan, defining the methodology, activity schedule, and delivery timeline.
• Support the management, standardization, and classification of information for the study area through the analysis and systematization of official geological maps, digital elevation models (including shadow and slope derived maps), and remote sensing imagery, designing and structuring technical data tables in standardized formats to allow for the standardization and classification of existing geological units.
• Support the analysis of the geomorphological characteristics of the departments of El Progreso and Baja Verapaz to adopt and adapt the Geomorphological Classification System Applied to Soil Surveys of the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC) to the geographic, geological, and geomorphological conditions of the Republic of Guatemala.
• Support the 2D digital geomorphological interpretation using computer-assisted visual interpretation techniques within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environments, for the spatial delimitation of the territory’s geomorphological units, in accordance with the Geomorphological Classification System Applied to Soil Surveys of the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC).
• Support training programs and capacity-building activities for technical staff of the Directorate of Geographic, Strategic, and Risk Management Information (DIGEGR-MAGA) and the FAO mapping specialist, through meetings and technical presentations of the results obtained during the consultancy.
• Conduct a technical field visit for the validation and verification of the geomorphological interpretation of the study areas.
• Provide technical and logistical support to the Directorate of Geographic, Strategic, and Risk Management Information (DIGEGR-MAGA) for the execution of the activities required within the framework of the consultancy.
• Prepare the final consultancy report.
CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
Minimum requirements
• University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agronomic engineering, forestry, geology, or related agro-ecological fields.
• 5 years of relevant experience in cartography, geomorphology, and satellite image and aerial photography interpretation projects.
• Working knowledge of Spanish.
FAO’s core competencies
• Results-based approach
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
Technical/functional skills
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Ability to establish inter-institutional relationships with the public and private sectors, cooperation agencies, and civil society
• Effective use of computer programs, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, ArcGIS 2D and 3D, ArcGIS Pro, ERDAS, ENVI, AutoCAD, Google Earth Engine)
• Ability to draft and prepare plans, reports, and technical documents
Selection criteria
• Postgraduate university degree (Master’s or higher) issued by an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a field related to soil science and Earth observation.
• Verifiable experience in applying the Geomorphological Classification System to soil surveys.
• Experience in conducting and organizing capacity-building activities, such as workshops and training sessions, related to geomorphological soil analysis.
It is noted that all candidates should adhere to the Organization’s values of commitment to FAO, respect for all, and integrity and transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
• Applications received after the application deadline will not be accepted.
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic degrees or credentials obtained from an educational institution listed in the World Database on Higher Education, a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be found at: www.whed.net/ • For information on other job opportunities ,
please visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
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APPLICATION SUBMISSION
To apply, please go to the FAO recruitment website ( Jobs at FAO ) and complete your online profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
We advise candidates to submit their application well in advance of the deadline.
These qualifications must be aligned with the standards of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) .
If you need help or have questions, please create a one-time record with the FAO Customer Service team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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