Forestry Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) 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 departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.

REU 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 and rural development in the region.

REU and the offices in the Region are implementing their programs under the programmatic umbrella of three Regional Initiatives. The Regional Initiatives are supported by a multidisciplinary team of technical experts assigned to the relevant technical results and supporting the country offices in providing technical support to facilitate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in close collaboration with FAO HQ technical experts.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and the direct supervision of the Forestry Officer (REU) and in close cooperation with the Forestry Officer (NFO) and the project teams, the Forestry Specialist will provide technical support to REU programmes and project activities related to forests and associated resources, and to the overall sustainable development of the forest sector in the REU region.

Technical Focus

Forestry, forest management, stakeholder engagement, capacity development, climate change.

Tasks and responsibilities

The International Consultant or PSA.SBS will work closely with FAO staff on project-related activities in the REU region to:

• Develop the methodology and program of measures/activities for data collection on forest damages, including an outline for a national register of data on forest damages and GIS mapping of damaged areas. • Analyse existing data provided by national experts/counterparts to identify and prioritise the needs for investments in forest fire monitoring. • Analyse existing data provided by national experts/counterparts to identify and prioritise possible investments in forest landscape restoration measures, including the conversion of coppice forests to high forests. • Assist the national GIS expert(s) to compile collected forest-related data in geospatial format or any other digital format compatible with ArcGis or QGis (including cadastre data, spatial plan, topographic map, soil map, forest site map, public road map, erosion and landslide, ownership, FMUs etc.) and assist to prepare the related geospatial database. • Develop together with the national experts and in close collaboration with the beneficiaries a Project Idea Note for supporting resource mobilization efforts of the national governments for investments in forest fire monitoring as well as in forest and landscape restoration with special attention to the conversion of coppice forests to high forests. • Guide the work of national experts to draft the methodology for improved forest management planning and monitoring and provide technical guidance for integrating Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity considerations in the forest management planning process. (consultant only) • Support the implementation of activities in pilot Forest Management Units (FMUs) including selection and set-up of pilot FMUs and preparation of forest management plans.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree at MSc level or above in forestry or related fields. • At least ten years of progressively professional experience in sustainable management of forests and associated resources in the region. • For Consultants working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian); • For PSA.SBS working knowledge (level C) of English will be sufficient.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Relevance of academic qualifications • Extent of knowledge and experience related to policy assistance and/or programme development and management and research in the field of forestry issues in the context of sustainable forest management; • Report and academic writing skills and analytical skills; • Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme design and management; • Excellent command of written and spoken English; • Work experience in UN/international organizations and; • Work experience in the Europe and Central Asia region. • Comprehensive knowledge of the situation of and working experience with both, public forest and private forest smallholders. • Good analytical and communication skills.