Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility, Central Africa)

Organizational Setting
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 European Union (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 their implementation.

The FLEGT Africa and Latin America Facility (FLEGT-ALA Facility), implemented by NFO, aims to support forest governance and law enforcement in 8 countries at different stages of the operationalization of VPAs: Cameroon, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo. The Facility will assist partner countries to improve forest sector governance and facilitate the implementation of VPAs with the ultimate goal of ensuring legal compliance, leading to the issuance of FLEGT licenses for the EU single market, and equivalent export licenses to access other regulated markets. The FLEGT-ALA Facility is a component of the EU funded 'Support for the implementation of FLEGT VPAs' led by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

This position is located within FAO and based in FAO's Liaison Office in Brussels, Belgium or in one of the eight countries covered by the project/facility or at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, as per project needs.

Reporting Lines
The Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility, Central Africa) reports to the Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility Lead Expert), under the overall guidance of the EU Forest Governance and Value Chain Programme Manager and the Deputy Director of NFO and works in close coordination with NFO Division and other FAO Teams and personnel dealing with supply chains, forests and climate change as well as national forest monitoring. The incumbent will work closely with Decentralized Offices and with other relevant FAO units.

Technical Focus
Forest Governance, Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) development and implementation, Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions
• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures 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.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
In close collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development Unit Environment (INTPA F2) as well as EU Delegations and stakeholders in VPA partner countries, the Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility, Central Africa):
• Supports forest sector governance through the operationalization of the VPAs in Central Africa, specifically in Cameroon, Central African Republic and Republic of Congo.
• Supports the development and update of roadmaps in support of the Joint Implementation Frameworks (JIF) and their formal and technical sessions in Cameroon, Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.
• Provides guidance and propose solutions for the design, development, and deployment of TLAS elements in Cameroon, Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.
• Provides technical recommendations on projects implemented in support of FLEGT processes.
• Supports stock takes and joint assessments to inform decision-making on critical issues in FLEGT processes.
• Contributes to the Joint Implementation Committees (JICs) annual reporting.
• Supports bilateral dialogues between the EU and partner countries, including JIC organization, and related multi-stakeholder dialogues as well as animates sub working groups.
• Conducts analyses to identify FLEGT Licensing related problems and propose solutions for a functioning licensing scheme.
• Supports the Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility Lead Expert) in preparing periodic progress and terminal reports for review by those units having technical, financial and operational responsibility.
• Represents, in consultation with the Forestry Officer (FLEGT-ALA Facility Lead Expert), in international meetings and in high-level regional and national meetings, as well as undertakes monitoring missions.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in forestry, natural resources management, international law, forest policies and economics or another relevant field
• Five years of relevant experience in forest policy, including within relevant international organizations, on international environmental agreements, particularly related to FLEGT and EU forest policies.
• 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
• 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 field positions.
• Work experience in Central African locations, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of VPAs, FLEGT and relevant EU policy frameworks.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing, operationalizing, and implementing forest sector assurance systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in working within public administrations 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 regarding financial actions, human resource processing, procurement, project cycle management and innovative solutions to complex operational problems.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of French is desirable.