National Consultant on Forest Statistics

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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Organizational Setting

The existing forest statistics system and database structures in the Forest Department, Myanmar are rather outdated. Many wider land use and forest sector related data sets are increasingly available now. They are becoming increasingly important for evidence-based decision-making. However, they are not adequately included in the national existing database and forest statistics system, which need to be updated, aligning with this development. The project ‘Improving statistics and reporting capacities of the forest sector (TCP/MYA/3801)’, under the Technical Cooperation Programme for 2020-2021 of the FAO Representation office of Myanmar, aims to enhance the capacities in the Forest Department, Myanmar to (i) provide more comprehensive, accessible and relevant information and data and (ii) present them in formats that allow them to be used more readily in decision-making processes at national and subnational levels. It will contribute to establish a functional web-based framework for forest statistics in Myanmar, in line with the emerging data collection and analysis capacities in the Forest Department, and reporting and decision-making requirements for forest and land use related policies in the country. Inputs from a National Consultant, who is familiar with the forestry and environment sector of Myanmar and having good knowledge of forest statistics, are required to implement the project activities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Myanmar and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Myanmar; with direct technical supervision of the project Lead Technical Officer and the Chief Technical Advisor of NFI/NFMIS Project in Myanmar; with guidance from Government of Myanmar focal point within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC); and in coordination with the NFM team leader at FAO HQ, and the forestry experts of the Finnish Natural Resources Institute, Luke, and other agencies involved in this project, the National Consultant will perform the following tasks.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Provide inputs for capacity building for key personnel in the country, including in managing database for forest statistics, uploading and processing the data and visualizing the information in relevant formats.
• Support regional knowledge exchange on forest statistics.
• Provide inputs for developing a new forest statistics framework and online platforms for national forest statistics, consistent with international forestry data platforms.
• Assist in preparing and launching the Statistical Yearbook of Forestry 2021.
• Provide necessary inputs to the National Project Coordinator and Service Providers for project implementation.
• Assist in strengthening the collaboration among MONREC, the Forest Department and other agencies (e.g. Central Statistics Organization) for smooth project implementation.
• Assist the Procurement of equipment and material in consultation with National Project Coordinator.
• Support the experts and Service Providers in arranging training programs, workshops, multi-stakeholder meetings, including logistical arrangements and securing Government Approvals needed for project activities.
• Organize events with key project implementing agencies and provide translation and interpretation needed.
• Assist the experts and Service Providers in collection and analyzing the data and information needed.
• Provide inputs to implement all project activities agreed in the inception phase and prepare progress reports.
• Provide inputs to produce knowledge/information products, support events and other activities, as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Forestry, Statistics or a related field.
• At least 7 years of work experience related to forestry in Myanmar, preferably with forest data management, policy and strategy development at national scale, and conducting capacity building with government and non-government organizations.
• Myanmar National

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• In-depth understanding of existing land and forest information systems in Myanmar.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English.
• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Knowledge of, REDD , forest-related Climate Change and data availability through MRV procedures is an advantage.

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