Silviculture Specialist

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture, forestry and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region and monitors the level of programme implementation.

International Consultants and Personal Service Providers (PSAs) represent an important source of expertise for FAO in the achievement of the Organization’s strategic objectives and regional initiatives.

The selected applicant will work on the project TCP/RER/3801 that aims to address the barriers of appropriate pest management in forests of Belarus and Ukraine.

The objective will be achieved through (i) Revision of national surveillance and monitoring systems to develop functional early warning systems, (ii) Development and validation of national contingency plans for forest pest outbreaks with regional and district forest managers, (iii) Development of guidelines developed for improving resilience of forest stands in relation to forest health and enhancing drought mitigation, and (iv) Strengthening national capacities on communication and regional coordination in relation to forest health issues The project strategy builds on the close engagement of key stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the results.

The specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant Director General / Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia (REU), the direct technical supervision of the Forestry Officer (REU) and in close coordination with National Project Coordinator as well as other international and national experts as appropriate.

The International Consultant or PSA SBS will contribute to the implementation of the project “Strengthening the resilience of pine forests to bark beetle outbreaks and associated dieback” through formulation of work plan, reporting, capacity development on forest health, preparation of technical papers, preparation of guidelines and recommendations.

The International Consultant or PSA SBS will work closely with FAO staff to coordinate the following activities related to developing action plans at regional, district and forest management unit levels for improved preparedness and responding to pest out breaks\:

• Contribute to the study on the assessment of the institutional capacities for responding to bark beetle attacks and identify recommendations for regional, district and forest management unit levels;
• Contribute to the development of the draft contingency plans and participate in the related validation workshop;
• Compile good practices for improving resilience of forest stands in relation to forest health and enhancing drought mitigation. The good practices should be presented from Europe and beyond to improve forest resilience towards pest outbreaks (bark beetle) and increasing drought phenomena. The report should cover silviculture and utilization aspects with a view to mitigating drought impacts.
• Prepare silviculture guidelines based on the above mentioned good practices for improving resilience of forest stands in relation to forest health and enhancing drought mitigation and tailored to the needs of the specific country.
• Together with other international experts involved in the project (experts on forest health and GIS) organize a training-of-trainers program on improved silvicultural practices, with a focus on sanitary fellings and thinning operations according to various risk levels for forest practitioners.
• Provide advice in identifying study tour options for visiting countries with similar challenges and support the organizational arrangements of the study tours.
• Contribute to the implementation of the project’s final validation workshop, and
• Perform other related duties as and when required.

International consultants only\:

• Collaborate with relevant UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations in the areas of REUs work programme related to forestry;
• Represent REU at internal and external meetings, particularly those related to the work programme of the forestry team.

• Advanced university degree in (for Consultants) / University degree (only for PSA) in forestry or related fields;
• At least ten years of progressively professional experience with forest management and implementation;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English (for PSAs). Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

• 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;
• Good interpersonal communications skills;
• Extent and relevance of experience in forest management, utilization and silviculture;
• Extent and relevance of experience in project / program management; and

• Experience in forest management, utilization and silviculture;
• Experience in working in international environment;
• Experience in project management;
• Relevant experience with UN and/or other international organizations;
• Work experience in the Europe and Central Asia region;
• Good report writing skills.
• Working experience in Europe and Central Asia region;