Community-based Forestry and Small-scale Forest Production Experts

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Forestry Division (NFO) is responsible for leading 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 the promotion of forestry and livelihoods, 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 forestry and livelihoods team work focuses on i) supporting countries to enhance the productivity and sustainable production of forestry and agroforestry systems; ii) providing policy, legislative, technical and resource mobilization support to create an enabling environment for small-scale producers, family farmers and local communities, including access to resources, information and finance; iii) supporting countries in efforts to strengthen equitable access by local communities, Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable and marginalized groups to secure ownership, tenure or user rights, promote gender-responsive actions, strengthen social protection and promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; and iv) strengthening forestry education, training and capacity development on forest-sector value-adding innovations and technologies, leaving no one behind.

The aim of this Call for Expression of Interest is to populate a roster of consultants and subscribers of Personal Service Agreements (PSAs) for the Forestry and Livelihoods Team of the Forestry Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The roster will be used to identify candidates for consultant positions at categories C, B and A, based on the experience and qualifications.

Reporting Lines

The expert will report to an assigned supervisor.

Technical Focus

The expert will provide concrete normative, technical and/or operational contributions to support FAO’s work on community led forest production and protection. These contributions include supporting the development of innovative tools and technical guidance documents, training material, analysis reports of enabling factors for strengthening community-based forestry regimes and small-scale forestry initiatives, and the delivery of trainings.

Tasks and responsibilities

The expert’s tasks will be adapted to specific FAO initiatives and projects focused on community-based forestry and small-scale forestry. They may include\:

• Assess the effectiveness of community-based forestry regimes for improving forest condition and livelihoods.
• Conduct studies and research on enabling factors and barriers of community-based forestry and small-scale forestry, including forest tenure, local engagement and participation, capacity development and empowerment, access to information, market and finance, etc.….
• Draft technical reports and publications on community-based forestry, small-scale forest production and family farming, and their role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification, forest restoration, etc.
• Provide technical support to formulation and implementation of field projects on community-based forestry, small-scale forest production and family farming.
• Assist in capacity development activities, including training material design and knowledge sharing facilitation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in forestry (forest economics, social forestry, forest management), natural resources management, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in sustainable forestry or natural resources production at local/community level and building sustainable and resilient forest livelihoods, including in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of one of official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience on sustainable forest management- specifically related to forest community groups, small-scale producers and farmers- with multiple purposes
• Experience on locally led climate action and biodiversity conservation, including restoration, fire management and carbon initiatives.
• Extent and relevant of experience on development of livelihoods, small scale enterprises and business linked to forest products and services.
• Experience in working with forest Indigenous Peoples.
• Familiarity with local governance approaches to sustainable forest management, i.e. Rights of access to resources, inclusiveness and equity, social organisations development, producer associations and cooperatives.
• Experts from producer organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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