Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency that leads international efforts to eliminate hunger, ensure food security, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. As a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Implementing Agency, FAO supports countries design and implement projects that deliver global environmental benefits in the areas of climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and forest management, and restoration of degraded ecosystems.ย
In Uzbekistan and across Central Asia, FAO is a long-standing partner supporting national efforts to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, improve land use practices, and enhance rural livelihoods. This GEF-funded project is part of a broader regional effort to strengthen sustainable forest management as a means to contribute to climate change mitigation, land degradation neutrality, and biodiversity protection. It is closely aligned with Uzbekistanโs national development priorities, including its commitments under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its targets related to increasing forest cover, restoring degraded lands, and improving community-based resource management. Through this project, FAO is supporting Uzbekistan in developing institutional capacity, advancing forest monitoring systems, and piloting multifunctional forest management practices that can be scaled up nationwide and shared across the region.
Reporting Lines
The Forestry Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub regional Coordinator, in close collaboration with the FAO Uzbekistan Country Office and under the operational guidance of the project team. The consultant will report directly to the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), who is responsible for the technical quality and coherence of the project.ย
The consultant will coordinate closely with the national implementing partner, the Forest Agency of Uzbekistan, as well as with other relevant national and international stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project objectives, FAO standards, and GEF requirements. All deliverables and mission reports will be submitted to the LTO for review and approval.
Technical Focusย
The Forestry Consultant will provide high-level technical guidance and advisory support on sustainable forest management (SFM), forest inventory and monitoring systems and landscape restoration. The consultant will focus on strengthening the scientific and technical basis for multifunctional forest management, including afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, and shelterbelt development tailored to Uzbekistanโs diverse ecological zones. A core area of technical focus will be the supporting the development of technically sound forest management plans in pilot areas. The consultant will also contribute to building institutional capacity, enhancing policy and legal frameworks for SFM, and supporting the development of follow-up project proposal for replication and upscaling within Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asia region.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Forestry Consultant will provide technical and advisory support aligned with GEF project design, expected results, and FAO implementation standards. Specific tasks and responsibilities include:ย
โข ย ย Provide technical support in the finalization of forest and landscape inventory in the pilot sites,ย
โข ย ย Advise on indicators for forest and landscape inventory,
โข ย ย Provide guidance for SFM plan development at four demonstration sites,
โข ย ย Advise on participatory planning with local stakeholders, including gender-responsive approaches and community engagement strategies,
โข ย ย Provide inputs for the development of practical guidelines and extension materials to support SFM practices nationwide,
โข ย ย Contribute to the development of a follow-up project proposal in line with GEF requirements.
โข ย ย Preparation of draft technical specifications for necessary equipment and procurement.
โข ย ย Support preparation of the terminal report of the project.ย
โข ย ย Perform other related tasks and duty travel as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced degree (MSc) in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, or related discipline. A university degree combined with 2 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university
โข ย ย A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in forestry and/or natural resource management, including at least three (3) years specifically focused on project development, as well as programme and project-based implementation and coordination within the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (FAOSEC) region
โข ย ย Full proficiency in English.
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 Experience in sustainable forest management (SFM), forest landscape restoration, and multifunctional forest planning approaches.
โข ย ย Familiarity with agroforestry, shelterbelt systems, and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
โข ย ย Ability to analyze and advise on forestry-related policies, legal frameworks, and institutional arrangements to support enabling conditions for SFM.
โข ย ย Experience in participatory planning processes and community-based natural resource management, with attention to gender and social inclusion.
โข ย ย Skills in producing technical reports, guidelines, and policy briefs tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.
โข ย ย Experience working in donor-supported projects, particularly in forestry or natural resource management sectors.
โข ย ย Experience in FAO and GEF procedures, project cycle management as well as project development and reporting requirements.
โข ย ย Excellent communication, facilitation, and capacity-building skills, including technical backstopping to national teams.
โข ย ย Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, including coordination with national institutions and stakeholders.
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Excellent communication, report writing, and training skills in English;ย
โข ย ย Knowledge of Russian is an asset.