Forest Governance Expert for Latin America (FLEGT-ALA Facility)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s 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.

The Forestry Division (NFO) leads 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 member countries, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to 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.

Illegal logging of wood products accounts for a significant part of global forest-related trade which undermines consumer confidence in the use of wood and other derived forest products, especially those from tropical forests. Locally, it reduces sustainable and legal livelihoods, particularly affecting the rural poor of the world. In 2003, the EU adopted the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan, with Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) being at the core of the action plan. A VPA is a binding trade agreement between the EU and Partner countries and is based on a Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS). To enable VPAs to realize their full potential, it is necessary to accelerate this implementation.

The FAO FLEGT Africa and Latin America Facility (FLEGT ALA Facility), implemented by NFO, aims to support the implementation of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) between the European Union and 6 countries at different stages of the operationalization of VPAs: Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Liberia, Central African Republic, and Republic of Congo. The Facility will duly advise, inform and monitor VPA implementation in targeted countries, in support of the parties to the VPA (i.e. the European Union and Partner Countries). The FLEGT ALA Facility is a component of the EU funded “Support for the implementation of FLEGT VPAs” lead by the Agence Française de Développement (“AFD”).

The Forest Governance Expert for Latin America will be posted in Brussels or other locations such as Rome, Panama City, Georgetown or Tegucigalpa, as per the project needs and the outcome of the selection process.

Reporting Lines

The Forest Governance Expert for Latin America reports to the Facility Lead Expert or Manager, under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of NFO and works in close coordination with the NFO and other FAO Teams and personnel dealing with supply chains, forests and climate change, and national forest monitoring. The incumbent will work closely with decentralized offices, and with other relevant FAO units.

Technical Focus

Enhancing government agencies' capacity to implement the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and sustainable forest management (SFM) involves technical support for governance and law enforcement, comprehensive reporting, and programme evaluations. Strategic partnerships and governance assessments are also key. Leveraging technology and international expertise ensures effective monitoring and evaluation, ultimately strengthening forest governance and sustainable timber trade practices.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Research and analyze technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information and data and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
•     Produce a variety of technical information, data and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
•     Provide technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provide technical backstopping to field projects.
•     Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
•     Participate on multidisciplinary teams, and/or lead working groups/teams collaborate with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promote best practices.
•     Collaborate in, provide technical backstopping to and ensure the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
•     Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influence partners in stakeholder consultations.
•     Support resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

•     Support the oversight and coordination of the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), specifically Guyana and Honduras.
•     Work closely with the European Commission INTPA F2 as well as EU Delegations and stakeholders in VPA partner countries.
•     Support bilateral dialogues between the EU and the VPA partner countries, including Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) organization, and related multi-stakeholder dialogues as well as animate sub working groups. Conduct analyses to identify FLEGT Licensing related problems and propose solutions for a functioning licensing scheme.
•     Support the development and update of roadmaps in support of the VPA Joint Implementation Frameworks (JIF) and their formal and technical sessions in Guyana and Honduras. Provide technical recommendations on projects implementing the VPAs.
•     Provide guidance and propose solutions for the design, development and deployment of Timber Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS) elements in Guyana and Honduras.
•     Support stock takes and joint assessments to inform decision-making on critical issues in VPA processes.
•     Contribute to the VPA annual reporting.
•     Support the VPA Facility Lead Expert with periodic progress and terminal reports for review by those units having technical, financial and operational responsibility.
•     Represent, in consultation with the VPA Facility Lead Expert, the Facility in international meetings and in high-level regional and national meetings and undertake missions as appropriate to monitor VPA progress.
•     Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in international Law, forestry or other relevant and related field. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     Five years of relevant experience in forest policy, including within relevant international organizations, on international environmental agreements, particularly related to forest governance, law enforcement and trade and EU forest policies.
•     Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and Spanish.

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, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, is desirable.
•     Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) and Forest Governance, Law Enforcement and Trade, and relevant EU policy frameworks.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in working within public administration and international organizations.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
•     Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
•     Ability to provide competent advice with regards to financial actions, human resource processing, procurement, and project cycle management and provide innovative solutions to complex operational problems.

Selection Criteria

•     Knowledge in capacity development in the forest sector;
•     Experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams;
•     Experience in forest governance;
•     Knowledge of Guyana’s and Honduras’ forestry sector is an added asset;
•     Leadership and supervisory experience in managing projects/programmes.