Halting deforestation specialist (agriculture-forest nexus)

at  FAO

Job Posting: 13/Mar/2024
Closure Date: 03/Apr/2024, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: NFO - Forestry
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Italy-Rome
Duration: 3 to 11 months
Post Number: N/A

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

• 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

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree in Forestry, Environmental sciences, Environmental policies, Agronomy, Agriculture or a related study (for Consultants) / University degree in Forestry, Environmental science, Environmental policies, Agronomy, Agriculture or a related study (only for PSA)
• For the assignment at Category B: at least 5 years of professional experience in developing and implementing programmes and initiatives related to REDD+/ halting deforestation, natural resource management promoting sustainability and sustainable supply chains, and one or more aspects related to good governance or forest monitoring; demonstrated experience in strategic positioning of international organizations operating in development contexts.
• For the assignment at Category C: at least 1 year of professional experience providing administrative, policy and/or programme support on at least one area among REDD+ / halting deforestation, sustainability, governance, sustainable community development, sustainable supply chains, forest monitoring, and natural resource management.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of any other official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English.

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Work experience in/with developing countries
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to draft technical documents in English.
• Knowledge of agriculture and supply chain-related approaches to reduce deforestation and forest degradation; or forest monitoring; or nature based solutions and adaptation.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams

For Category B:

• Support the development of FAO’s strategic positioning and role in mainstreaming forests in policies, strategies, and programmes aimed at halting deforestation and promoting food systems transformation and contributions to the fight against climate change.
• Support countries with technical advice on at least one of the following areas: decoupling agricultural supply chains from deforestation, implementing integrated landscape management and nature-based solutions, and transforming food systems as key strategies.
• Support countries in applying cross-sectoral approaches by strengthening capacities and investments in one or more areas among forest monitoring, sustainable farming practices, legality, and responsible business and finance practices.
• Elaborate and develop guidance materials, analytical frameworks, or tools to support technical capacities in countries to halt deforestation, degradation and emissions while strengthening sustainable agriculture (for example, e-learning courses, analytical methodologies, or gap assessment tools).
• Develop the technical content of outreach products and communication materials together with technical and outreach experts in the team/NFO and/or partner agencies.
• Organize and/or facilitate meetings, workshops, technical trainings, webinars etc and coordinate with relevant units in FAO.
• Provide technical support to FAO forests and food systems activities and projects/initiatives where specific expertise is of value.
• Any other duties as required.

For Category C:

• Provide inputs and support the process for the development of FAO’s thematic work and / or project proposals on halting deforestation, forest monitoring or improved natural resource management along the rural-urban continuum.
• Assist in the organization and delivery of awareness raising and capacity development activities to (one or more among) halt deforestation, including related forest monitoring aspects, sustainable farming practices, nature-based solutions, legality, and responsible business and finance practices.
• Support the collection of evidence literature reviews and case studies, and contribute to their analysis, working with relevant teams in NFO and other divisions.
• Support policy analysis of country wide and local strategies on food systems and halting deforestation aimed to contribute to multiple objectives on climate, food security, biodiversity and livelihood outcomes, guiding effective technical assistance actions/strategies.
• Support the smooth implementation and reporting of programmes and projects aiming at knowledge transfer or capacity development linked to halting deforestation.
• Support the development of forests and food systems technical materials (for example, e-learning courses, analytical methodologies, or gap assessment tools).
• Support the development of outreach products and communication materials together with NFO’s technical and outreach teams.
• Support organizing meetings, workshops, technical trainings, webinars etc and coordinate with relevant units in FAO.
• Any other duties as required.