Organizational Setting
FAO has a representation office in Armenia accredited with the Government of Armenia and responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the country programme as well in close consultation with the respective technical support from the Regional Office or Headquarter units. The FAOR also monitors the policy developments in the Armenia related to the agrifood system sector in close collaboration with the other national and international stakeholders including the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).ย
A project funded by the Green Climate Fund โForest resilience in Armenia enhancing the adaptation and rural green growth via mitigationโ has been approved and started in December 2021. The total funding including co-financing is USD18.7 million.ย
The FAO representation office in Armenia (FAO Armenia) and the Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) are the Executing Entities (EEs) of the project. FAO will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project and also supervise the work of the EPIU of the Ministry of Environment of Armenia. The project is co-financed by the Government of Armenia, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Autonomous Province of Bolzano, WWF Armenia and FAO.ย
The position is based in FAO office in Yerevan, with local travel to the project sites (Lori and Syunik Marzes) and other areas relevant to the project.ย
Reporting Lines
The Senior Expert works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Armenia, direct supervision of National Project coordinator of the GCP/ARM/008/GCF project and the technical guidance of Lead Technical Officer in close cooperation with the Project Team.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will be responsible for smooth technical implementation and execution of activities in the target project areas of Lori and Syunik in relation to forest restoration interventions (component 1) as well as to creating the enabling conditions to execute the Forest Code (2005) and enhancing the capacity of rural communities to engage in forest governance (component 3).ย
The National Senior Forest Expert provides technical guidance activities within the framework of GCF Armenia project.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Provide periodic technical guidance for the implementation of specific project activities under component 1 and 3 of the GCP/ARM/008/GCF project (https://www.greenclimate.fund/project/sap014), in particular on nursery production as well as restoration activities.
โข ย ย Provide periodic technical oversight of specific project activities in the field under component 1 and 3 to deliver high quality technical outputs with in-depth understanding of the Armenian context.
โข ย ย Assist Hayantar SNCO in selecting sites for โafforestation/enrichment plantingโ and โrestoration of degraded coppice forestโ interventions in various consolidated communities in Lori and Syunik Marzes, as well as related field activities (seed collection, seedling production, planting, tree marking, planning and implementing of tree harvesting).
โข ย ย Assist in contribution to capacity-building and on-the-job training for Hayantar SNCO, local community members and other interested stakeholders on adaptive management measures (planting activities, restoration of degraded coppice forest) on the projectโs intervention sites (knowledge sharing, โlearning by doingโ, discussions and feedback).
โข ย ย Assist in selection of national experts and Service Providers for implementation of specific project activities under component 1 and 3.
โข ย ย Assist technical consultants both national and international during periodic backstopping and supervision missions as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย ย
โข ย ย University degree in forestry, natural resource management or related fields
โข ย ย At least 5 years of relevant experience in forestry including nursery production, advanced forest restoration techniques and climate-adaptive silvicultural practices
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and Armenian languages
โข ย ย National of Armenia or resident of the country with valid work permit
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 with methods and techniques in relation to forest and landscape restoration;ย
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to adopt new ideas;
โข ย ย Demonstrated commitment to participatory and bottom-up approaches;
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to communicate, including advocating to government agencies;
Selection Criteriaย
โข ย ย Deep understanding of Armeniaโs governmental and institutional frameworks for forest management and governance particularly after the reforms undertaken in 2023-2024;
โข ย ย Experience in working with international organizations and implementing UN projects will be an assetย
โข ย ย Knowledge of Russian language will be an advantage;