National Specialist on Beekeeping

Organizational Setting

TCP/AZE/3802/C1 “Integrating pollinators into Sustainable Forest Management Plans” project will support one of the priority areas of Azerbaijan's National Forestry Program and its Action Plan (2020-2030) for the sustainable development of forests in the country. The project targets to develop the country's capacity and knowledge to integrate pollinator biodiversity into sustainable forest management plans.

Reporting Lines

Mr. Bariz Mehdiyev, Assistant to FAO Representative

Technical Focus

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Azerbaijan, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, technical supervision of the Forestry Officer at FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Asia (FAO-SEC), and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of Azerbaijan, the consultant will be responsible for providing the technical support required to prepare and analyze the various databases needed to raise awareness and integrate beekeeping practices into sustainable forest management plans. Specific activities, tasks and responsibilities would include:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance of an international expert, develop a crop database and a simple tool for assessing the economic value of pollinators;
• Conduct the analyses of the effects of forest habitats on honey production and provide inputs for compilation of an inventory of good practices to promote honeybee (and wild pollinator) plants and habitats;
• Under the overall guidance of an international expert, provide inputs for the development of an inventory of ‘bee plants’ for the main forest types;
• Contribute and provide baseline data to assess the driving forces behind conflicts between forest management and the needs of local beekeepers;
• Provide support to the organization and participate in the workshop to identify solutions to address local people’s needs through sustainable forest management strategies;
• Provide inputs and contribute for the development of a methodology and guidance for engaging local beekeepers, farmers and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) collectors, in formulation of the forest management plans.
• Collect and analyse new updated data on ‘bee plants’ and habitats, and beekeeper and NWFP collector needs;
• Provide and prepare baseline data for the compilation of existing relevant information on the use of forest management units in pilot areas by beekeepers, trees and understory species used by pollinators.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in apiculture, natural resources management, forestry, sustainable agriculture or a related discipline;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in fields related to the subject of the assignment;
• Experience and knowledge about the pollination services of forests, forestry bee species and pollinator habitats;
• Good understanding of practical approaches to integrating beekeeping practices in forest management, as well as demonstrated experience in collecting country-specific data on honeybee and pollinator populations, and plant species;
• Fluency in written and spoken Azerbaijani and English is required.
• National of Azerbaijan or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrate ability to function in a team environment and to deal with multi-stakeholder environment, from farmers to ministerial staff;
• Strong analytical, research and synthesizing skills;
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present comprehensive data analyses reports.