Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Forestry Division (NFO) is responsible for leading FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to the promotion of forestry and livelihoods, forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and, on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.
The forestry and livelihoods team work focuses on i) supporting countries to enhance the productivity and sustainable production of forestry and agroforestry systems; ii) providing policy, legislative, technical and resource mobilization support to create an enabling environment for small-scale producers, family farmers and local communities, including access to resources, information and finance; iii) supporting countries in efforts to strengthen equitable access by local communities, Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable and marginalized groups to secure ownership, tenure or user rights, promote gender-responsive actions, strengthen social protection and promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; and iv) strengthening forestry education, training and capacity development on forest-sector value-adding innovations and technologies, leaving no one behind.
The aim of this Call for Expression of Interest is to populate a roster of consultants and subscribers of Personal Service Agreements (PSAs) for the Forestry and Livelihoods Team of the Forestry Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The roster will be used to identify candidates for consultant positions at categories C, B and A, based on the experience and qualifications.
Reporting Lines
The expert will report to an assigned supervisor.
Technical Focusย
The expert will provide concrete normative, technical and/or operational contributions to support FAOโs work on community led forest production and protection. These contributions include supporting the development of innovative tools and technical guidance documents, training material, analysis reports of enabling factors for strengthening community-based forestry regimes and small-scale forestry initiatives, and the delivery of trainings.
Tasks and responsibilities
The expertโs tasks will be adapted to specific FAO initiatives and projects focused on community-based forestry and small-scale forestry. They may include:
โข ย ย Assess the effectiveness of community-based forestry regimes for improving forest condition and livelihoods.
โข ย ย Conduct studies and research on enabling factors and barriers of community-based forestry and small-scale forestry, including forest tenure, local engagement and participation, capacity development and empowerment, access to information, market and finance, etc.โฆ.
โข ย ย Draft technical reports and publications on community-based forestry, small-scale forest production and family farming, and their role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification, forest restoration, etc.
โข ย ย Provide technical support to formulation and implementation of field projects on community-based forestry, small-scale forest production and family farming.
โข ย ย Assist in capacity development activities, including training material design and knowledge sharing facilitation.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in forestry (forest economics, social forestry, forest management), natural resources management, social sciences, or a related field.
โข ย ย At least five years of relevant experience in sustainable forestry or natural resources production at local/community level and building sustainable and resilient forest livelihoods, including in developing countries.
โข ย ย Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of one of official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish).
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience on sustainable forest management- specifically related to forest community groups, small-scale producers and farmers- with multiple purposes
โข ย ย Experience on locally led climate action and biodiversity conservation, including restoration, fire management and carbon initiatives.
โข ย ย Extent and relevant of experience on development of livelihoods, small scale enterprises and business linked to forest products and services.ย
โข ย ย Experience in working with forest Indigenous Peoples.
โข ย ย Familiarity with local governance approaches to sustainable forest management, i.e. Rights of access to resources, inclusiveness and equity, social organisations development, producer associations and cooperatives.
โข ย ย Experts from producer organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.