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 Members, 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.
The position is located in the Forest Products and Bioeconomy Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Forestry Officer (Forest Products and Bioeconomy) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader of Forest Products and Bioeconomy Team.
Technical Focus
The Forestry Officer (Forest Products and Bioeconomy) supports countries to develop forest-based bioeconomy approaches, with a major focus on FAO's core functions related, but not limited, to i) compile, analyse, disseminate, monitor and improve access to data and information; ii) conduct assessments and reports on policies, strategies and plans, legal and institutional environment; iii) facilitate, promote and support policy dialogues and multistakeholder consultations at global, regional and country levels; and iv) advise and support activities that disseminate and improve the uptake of knowledge, technologies and good practices.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
- Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and 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 as well as technical backstopping to field projects.
- Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and 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 Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
- Supports normative technical work on the production, processing, markets and trade of sustainable forest products and related forest sector development, in the broader context of FAO's work on agrifood systems transformation.
- Facilitates policy dialogue and development of enabling environments for sustainable forest products and the forest sector, including in the context of bioeconomy approaches, at global, regional and national levels.
- Provides technical support to Members and capacity building on sustainable forest products and forest sector development, including value-added innovation and material efficiency.
- Supports the engagement of the private sector, including through the Secretariat of the FAO Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest Industries.
- Compiles data and statistics and undertakes analysis on sustainable forest products and the forest sector.
- Contributes to resource mobilization on sustainable forest products and forest sector development, including the preparation of new project proposals both in the context of country support and global normative work.
- Promotes innovation and interdisciplinary work and strengthens synergies, collaboration and partnerships within FAO, including with Decentralized Offices, and with other partners.
- Performs other related duties as requested, in the context of the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in forestry, bioeconomy, economics or sustainable development with a focus on natural resources, wood science or related fields.
- Seven years of relevant experience in forest product or forest sector development, or bioeconomy development based on natural resources.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - 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, is desirable.
- Extent of experience in normative work on policies and enabling environments related to sustainable forest products, the forest sector and related bioeconomy approaches.
- Extent and relevance of experience in supporting countries in the production, markets and trade of sustainable forest products and forest sector development, including through training and capacity development.
- Extent of relevant experience in engaging with the private sector on sustainable forest products and the forest-based bioeconomy.
- Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources, initiate, plan, monitor and implement programmes or projects.
- Extent of experience in collecting and analysing data and statistics related to forest products and the forest sector.
- Demonstrated ability to write and communicate effectively in different contexts.