Forestry Officer (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation)

1H061H06

• 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 persons 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s 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 leads 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 member countries, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to 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 post is located in the Climate Change and Resilience Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader of the Climate Change and Resilience Team of the Forestry Division. S/he will work closely with members of the Team and Division, the Decentralized Offices, other relevant FAO units and international forestry experts.

Technical Focus

Forests and Climate Change.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation Divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with Divisional objectives.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Divisional committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality / effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Coordinates FAO's work on forests and climate change adaptation, resilience and mitigation (the latter in close collaboration with the REDD team).

• Provides technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Forestry Division programmes, projects, products and services focused on climate change adaptation and resilience in accordance with Forestry Division objectives, the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme Priority Areas (BE1 ' Climate and BL5 ' Resilience).

• Designs, plans and implements normative activities on forests and climate change, including on ways to achieve adaptation-mitigation synergies, and develops guidelines, best practices and training materials.

• Provides technical and policy advice and supports capacity development of FAO member countries on integrating forests and trees in their national climate strategies and plans (e.g. Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans), and makes available relevant technical and informational materials.

• Works with diverse stakeholders at global, national and subnational levels to advance ecosystem-based adaptation approaches.

• Plans, designs and implements forests and climate change adaptation-mitigation projects and activities in member countries, including project formulation, resource mobilization, and technical backstopping.

• Coordinates with all relevant FAO technical Divisions, Offices and Centres and Decentralized Offices to plan and implement activities related to climate change adaptation and resilience, with strong links to mitigation.

• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in forestry, natural resources or a closely related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in the field of forest resources management and climate change, which includes international experience and working experience in developing countries and/or countries in transition.

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies

• 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, particularly in field positions is desirable

• Extent and relevance of experience and technical knowledge on the links between forests and climate change, including those related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Extent and relevance of experience in analyzing forests and adaptation/resilience and mitigation issues

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, budgets and human resources efficiently

• Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources