National Forest Health Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

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 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. The position is based in Yerevan, with local travel to the project sites (Lori and Syunik Marzes) and other areas relevant to the project. TCP/ARM/4005 Enhancing forest resilience to pests and diseases project is part of FAO co-financing obligations contributing to the GCF project implementation.

Reporting Lines

The specialist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the national and international experts specializing in entomology, pathology, invasive plants, and biological control.

Technical Focus

National-level technical support to forest health risk assessment, monitoring system development, field surveys, biological control assessment, and capacity building.

Tasks and responsibilities

Forest Health Assessment & Risk Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of national forest health status in collaboration with national experts (entomology, pathology, invasive plants).
• Analyse national capacities, institutional gaps, available resources, and findings from previous forest health field assessments.
• With guidance from international specialists (entomology, pathology, invasive plants), conduct risk assessments for key pests, diseases, and invasive species.
• Validate identification results and risk assessments, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with international methodologies.

Monitoring System Development

• With international experts, design localized forest health monitoring systems (for pests, diseases, and invasive plants).
• Develop survey methodologies, trap/lure deployment protocols, and field monitoring procedures.
• Identify high-risk sites (with MoE/EPIU) and prepare tailored survey and trapping strategies.
• Equip and maintain demonstration plots for practical training and field demonstrations.

Biological Control Support

• In collaboration with the International Biological Control Expert, support assessments of entomopathogens and other biological control options for priority pests.
• Support laboratory-level evaluations, isolation work, and preparation of practical guidelines for national use.
• Contribute to ToT-level training modules on biological control methods and safe/appropriate application techniques.

Field Implementation

• Oversee trap installation, maintenance, and sample collection in designated forest sites.
• Coordinate with national field teams to ensure systematic survey planning, data collection, and quality control.
• Support sorting, triage, preliminary diagnostics, and sample transfer to laboratories as required.

Capacity Building

• Support International Consultant in delivering targeted trainings to national and sub-national stakeholders on\:
o Survey planning and implementation
o Trap maintenance, servicing, and sample handling
o Pest/disease diagnostics and invasive plant identification
o Data management and reporting
o Implementation of contingency plans for outbreaks
o Biological control methods and laboratory procedures

Data Management & Reporting

• Support development of data collection protocols aligned with national forest monitoring systems and GCF requirements.
• Contribute to technical notes, training materials, field manuals, and progress reports.
• Provide inputs for national reporting to EPIU, FAO, and project stakeholders.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in forestry, forest protection, entomology, plant pathology, ecology, environmental science, biological sciences, or related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in forest health, pest/disease monitoring, invasive species management, or biological control.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Armenian.
• National of Armenia or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in field surveys, diagnostics, and/or monitoring system implementation

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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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