National Project Personnel - Forestry (REDD+ Readiness, FFF & LSW) and NRM

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Background

FAO supports the government in policy development and advocacy in the agriculture sector and sub-sectors, promotes production and productivity as well as improving value chains and sustainable natural resource management and utilization. Project implementations is geared towards building local capacity with support to the Government of Liberia focusing on three priority areas: Efforts to promote responsible investment in agriculture and food systems in Liberia are integrated with related approaches to promote responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR for Programme, the National Project Personnel – Forestry (REDD Readiness, FFF & LSW) and NRM , liaising with the Lead Technical Officers (LTOs) and other technical officers and staff of supporting thematic units, other relevant colleagues at the country, sub-regional, regional and headquartered offices, will undertake the tasks outlined below:

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical and logistical support to the Liberia Forest Sector Program, as well as activities being undertaken by the Forest and Farm Facility and the Legal and Sustainable Wood Program

Tasks and Responsibilities

Liberia Forest Sector Program

FAO is supporting the LFSP to undertake an ART-Trees gap assessment to better understand Liberia’s potential for receiving results based payments through a bilateral agreement with Norway. The incumbent will be providing in-country support to the following project activities

• Scoping and gap assessment – Support technical officers on assessing the readiness of Liberia’s national forest monitoring system, legal aspects associated carbon rights and tenure and safeguards • ART Compliant monitoring – Support and facilitate the planning of a data collection exercise to prepare an ART compliant reference level and crediting period. • Carbon Finance Workshop – Support the preparations and implementation of a Carbon Finance Workshop in Monrovia (or elsewhere).

Forest and Farm Facility

• Participate in planning meetings with FAO Office of Liberia and the FFF country coach. • Support the development Terms of Reference and corresponding Letters of Agreement (LoAs) with selected FFF partners (NACUL, BOTPAL, FUN, . • Monitor the execution of the LOAs including pre-review of their narrative and financial reports. • Link and network of FFF partners in country to relevant other rights holder initiatives in Liberia and in West Africa. • Support the organization of peer-learning events; • Facilitate close engagement and coordination with government to ensure commitment for FFF’s activities in Liberia. • Prepare short monthly reports on main activities to be presented to FFF management and communications’ team and into FFF’s operational/technical database. Prepare quarterly updates to FAO Liberia, he national authorities and key stakeholders. • Engage with potential new resource partners for FFF partners in Liberia

Legal and Sustainable Wood (LSW) Programme

Building on lessons learned and previous support provided through the FAO FLEGT Programme, the new Legal and Sustainable Wood Programme will continue to extend its assistance to Liberia to advance on legal and sustainable management of forests, especially by enhancing the capacities and confidence of forest communities to engage in legal and sustainable timber production and trade and directly benefit from it. The focus of the LSW Programme in Liberia is to empower forest communities and smallholder groups to:

• Strengthen community forestry as an integral part of the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable forest management, whilst promoting gender equality and social inclusion • Improve community forestry contribution to local and national economies by engaging in legal and sustainable wood value chains, through value addition and enhanced market access

The incumbent will assist the LSW Programme Management Unit with technical revision and provision of ad-hoc and local-specific inputs in connection with the development of concept notes and work plan for future LSW activities in Liberia and related resource mobilization efforts.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s Degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, agriculture, forestry, economics, international development or a related field • Five years of relevant experience in implementing forestry and natural resources management initiatives or demonstrated experience in similar field. • Working knowledge (C level) of English. Working knowledge of French would be a distinct advantage; • Candidates should be nationals of Liberia.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively in a team, supports others and fosters a positive team environment. • Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. • Building Effective Relationships: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential. • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with the FFF’s activities in Liberia. • Familiarity with LSW/FLEGT Programme Management • Familiarity with REDD activities in Liberia • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written • Strong interpersonal, reporting, presentation, and cross-cultural communication skills; • Work experience with projects funded by international donors; • Extent and relevance of experience in planning, managing, implementing and monitoring projects that are consistent with agreed work plans and key performance indicators; • Strong partnership building and networking skills involving multiple types of partners and stakeholders; • Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; • Familiarity with the UN rules and procedures, experience in developing policies; • Previous working experience in the region and familiarity with the country situation will be highly desirable; • Ability to prepare concise reports according to United Nations standards. • Knowledge and use of participatory planning tools and stakeholders’ engagements.

Selection Criteria

• Extend of experience in forestry, tenure of land, fisheries, agriculture, programme development, or closely related field. • Independent worker and excellent skills working as part of a team. • Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s Requirements. • Experience with FAO or other UN agencies’ systems and administration procedures for technical cooperation activities is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• 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.