National Forest Governance and Capacity Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

A project funded by the Green Climate Fund “Forest resilience in Armenia enhancing the adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation” has been approved and started in December 2021. The total funding, including co-financing, is USD 18.7 million.

The project aims at supporting Armenia’s shift from the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario to a low-emission sustainable development pathway via precise and strategic actions. Under the BAU scenario, plant production capacities will remain limited and by far insufficient for larger scale forest restoration interventions. BAU management of forests and energy security in rural areas has failed in guaranteeing livelihood, security and natural regeneration of forest’s resources. The vast majority of Armenia’s forest lands accessible for exploitation are being degraded due to inefficient management of forest resources, fuelwood harvesting, lack of law enforcement as well as lack of stakeholders’ participation in forest governance issues at all levels (national, regional, community), thus limiting the role of communities to “clients” or “exploiters”. Therefore, staff capacity of Hayantar SNCO will be further developed in order to ensure high seedlings’ survival in all planting operations of the project as well as to upgrade and sustainably manage degraded coppice forests. In order to organize effectively the knowledge transfer to the Hayantar staff a national Expert on Forest Governance and Capacity Development will be hired for following-up and backstopping of activities in Tashir nursery as well as forest restoration sites. It is expected that the Expert will deliver specific trainings to selected workers who will act as foremen to coordinate the works in each of the sites selected for forest restoration investments. The selected workers will participate in a hands-on trainings (training of trainers), organised in Lori and Syunik Marzes, to learn the different planting techniques to ensure high survival rates of seedlings, as well as silvicultural approaches to upgrade and sustainably manage degraded coppice forests employed by the project in the context of climate change.

The position is based in Vanadzor, with local travel to the project sites in Lori Marz and possibly other relevant areas (e.g Syunik Marz).

Reporting Lines

The National Forest Governance and Capacity Development Specialist reports to the National Project Coordinator and will work in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Officer for the project in REU and the International Technical Advisor.

Technical Focus

• The incumbent should deliver hands-on training session for Hayantar employees and other stakeholders involved in the planting and coppice forest related management activities under the project; • The incumbent should conduct follow-up, backstopping and monitoring of planting activities and silvicultural operations in the field, mainly at the restoration sites in Lori Marz.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct tree marking in compliance with the “selective upgrading” instructions on at least 10 hectares per month. • Lead the work and support Hayantar SNCO and respective community-based stakeholders on selecting sites for “selective upgrading” in various consolidated communities in Lori Marz and related tree marking on the selected sites, as well as in subsequent step of planning and implementing tree harvesting operations. • Conduct on-the-job training for Hayantar SNCO and local community members on adaptive management measures (“selective upgrading”) in degraded coppice forest stands (knowledge sharing, “learning by doing”, discussions and feedback). • Oversee day-to-day on-site technical implementation of silvicultural measures (tree harvesting operations) by the local workforce in degraded coppice forests following the “selective upgrading” instructions, as well as the implementation of tree planting work on restoration sites in Lori Marz, assess the progress, identify challenges and provide recommendations for improvements as appropriate. • Collaborate with project stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of silvicultural measures in degraded coppice forests and of tree planting activities on restoration sites. • Follow up and backstop activities on seed harvesting in Lori Marz and the subsequent seedling production in Tashir nursery based on the instructions provided by the international Specialist on high quality plant material. • Provide guidance and technical support to address any issues related to adaptive management of degraded coppice forests and forest restoration as appropriate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, engineering, forestry or related fields; • At least 5 years of experience in planning and implementing silvicultural measures at field level; • Working C knowledge of English and Armenian language and limited knowledge of Russian; • National of Armenia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work • Extent and relevance of experience in forestry and silvicultural measures (tree harvesting operations) • Familiarity with adaptive management of degraded coppice forests and forest restoration • Working experience in UN system with ministries, national institutions and forestry sector is an asset; • Demonstrated ability to adopt new ideas; • Experience in supervising day-to-day on-site technical implementation of forest management work will be an advantage

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.