Forestry Officer

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

FAO's Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional agrifood systems and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs) such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the West African Monetary and Economic Union (UEMOA) and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Africa (RAF).
As a pillar of the FAO Strategic Framework, which focuses on the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind, Better environment is a key strategic pillar with the objective to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduce, reuse, recycle, residual management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The Programme Priority Area (PPA) focuses on climate and agrifood systems; bioeconomy; biodiversity and ecosystems using technology, innovation and data to strengthen national and institutional capacities to develop, assess tradeoffs, implement and sustain policies and strategies for climate action. Enhance country support for climate finance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaptation Fund and bilateral donors.

The post is located in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), in Dakar, Senegal.

Reporting Lines
The Forestry Officer reports to the Subregional Coordinator/FAO Representative, SFW.

Technical Focus
Subregional programme delivery on sustainable management of the environment and natural resources and to enhance country support for climate finance from GEF, GCF, the Adaptation Fund and bilateral donors under the Programme Priority Area on climate change mitigating and adapted agrifood systems.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with regional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or standard setting bodies;
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services;
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals, as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise;
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools;
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings;
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Contributes to FAO's work on forest and watershed management, including generation and sharing of knowledge on forest, soil and water interactions, highland-lowland linkages, social, legal and policy issues, forest-water monitoring and reporting, and integrated landscape approaches at multiple levels.
• Contributes to FAO's work on sustainable forestry and agroforestry production systems including related value chains and their contribution to food security and nutrition, livelihoods and rural economic development, particularly for small-holders;
• Provides technical oversight of all programmes funded by GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund and other bilateral donors and ensures delivery of the programme/project objectives and expected results in collaboration with partner organizations;
• Provides technical expertise and oversight to Country Offices on the planning, implementation and monitoring of forest and landscape restoration programmes/projects such as Flagship initiatives under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Great Green Wall Initiative, FAO Green Cities initiative, the GEF Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR);
• Provides technical expertise to resource mobilization efforts for the growth of FAO's work related to forestry/natural resources management/climate change, including the preparation of new project proposals including multi country proposals with a particular focus on GEF, GCF and Adaptation Fund;
• Facilitates, promotes and supports forestry-related policy dialogue in coherence with sustainable agrifood systems, at subregional and country levels, including related synergies and tradeoffs;
• Supports institutions at all levels, including through capacity development, to prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate evidence-based forest policies and programmes in the context of agrifood systems, and leverage investments;
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in forest resources management or a related field;
• Seven years of relevant experience in forest resources assessment, forest management, forest health management, forest genetic resources conservation and management, or related field;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions;
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of forest management in diverse forest types and ecosystems;
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting countries on sustainable forestry and agroforestry production, livelihoods generation and rural development;
• Experience in dealing with major funds including GEF, GCF, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) would be an asset;
• Experience in managing government relations and mobilizing resources would be an asset;
• Experience working/dealing with the subregional institutions such as ECOWAS, CILSS, Manu River Union, UEMOA, etc.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• 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/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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