Forestry Specialist

Overview

Provide technical advice and expertise for forestry projects and investment operations

You have:

• University degree in forestry, natural resources management, environmental sciences, or related field as appropriate for the specific tasks listed above.
• At least five years of relevant experience in field project or field programme formulation and implementation.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one other FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian).

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with the Offices, Centres and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and regional inter-governmental organizations.

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture (incl. forestry) and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Forestry and Biodiversity Team of RAP in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Specialist will report to the Senior Forestry Officer, RAP.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical advice and expertise for (i) the oversight of forestry-related field project implementation in Asia-Pacific; and (ii) the design of investment operations, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to mobilize resources for the conservation and sustainable use of forests and trees in Asia-Pacific within the context of sustainable agrifood system transformation and a particular focus on forest-based value chain development and sustainable financing.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification, assessment and preparation of investment operations (national and regional level) with a focus on the thematic fields mentioned above;
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist in the formulation of field programmes and projects and the preparation of sound justifications for funding proposals notably for the GEF, as well as bilateral donors and relevant private entities;
• Prepare background documents and reports for the formulation of these funding proposals, in accordance with government and financing partners’ requirements;
• Provide technical backstopping support to the implementation of national field projects (notably GEF) with a focus on methodological aspects and on M&E;
• Provide advice and technical expertise in the analysis of data and information with a focus on the thematic fields mentioned above;
• Provide advice and technical expertise to policy making, strategy formulation and legislation;
• Engage in the development of curricula and in capacity development activities as required with a focus on the thematic areas listed above;
• Provide advice and technical expertise to knowledge management activities, the documentation of lessons learned / best practices and the preparation of publications;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in forestry, natural resources management, environmental sciences, or related field as appropriate for the specific tasks listed above.
• At least five years of relevant experience in field project or field programme formulation and implementation.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one other FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation of forest and natural ecosystem programmes/projects and financial strategies.
• Extent and relevance of experience in mainstreaming of biodiversity in agricultural sectors, value chain development for wood and non-wood forest products, and innovative financing approaches (incl. payments for ecosystem services).
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of natural resource management.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners, the private sector and other country level stakeholders.
• Relevance of work experience in more than one location, notably in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Demonstrated ability in mobilizing resources.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated technical experience on the thematic fields mentioned above.
• Demonstrated experience in technical backstopping of field project or programmes.
• Demonstrated ability in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to distil complex information into concise and easily understood information and communication.
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org