Forestry Officer Mountain Partnership Secretariat

The Forestry Division (NFO) 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 Members, 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.

FAO hosts since 2003 the Secretariat of the Mountain Partnership (MP) which is a United Nations voluntary alliance of governments and organizations committed to working together with the common goal of achieving sustainable mountain development around the world. 

The position is located in the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) within the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer (Mountain Partnership Secretariat) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/MPS Coordinator, NFO and works under the overall guidance of the Director, NFO. The incumbent is expected to provide expert support to the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and deputize for the MPS Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Jointly with the Senior Forestry Officer/MPS Coordinator, the Forestry Officer (Mountain Partnership Secretariat) supervises the full implementation of the delivery of the MPS annual work plan, projects and initiatives and promotes international cooperation and advocacy for sustainable mountain development, relations with MP members, and the MP Steering Committee. Acts as a Deputy for the MPS Coordinator.

Key Results

• Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in 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 as well as 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 Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and 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 Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Promotes the advocacy of the MP for the implementation of the sustainable mountain development agenda at global, regional and national level.
• Provides technical input at international/intergovernmental meetings, including the representation of the MP at key events.
• Plans and coordinates the communication and outreach activities of the MPS as required by the Communication and Advocacy strategies of the MP.
• Leads the knowledge management activities of the MP including the capacity development programmes, fosters the science/policy nexus for the Mountain Agenda and acts as focal point for relevant working groups or task forces within the MP network and beyond.
• In collaboration with the MPS Coordinator, supports the implementation of the MP’s work plan and ensures coordination with the Steering Committee on meetings and progress reports.
• Supports resource mobilization efforts including the relationships with existing donors and ensures their visibility.
• Contributes to the formulation of project proposals according to FAO’s procedures and prepares project documents for technical clearance and final approval under different funding arrangements.
• Liaises within other FAO units and Decentralized Offices to ensure collaboration and integration of the mountain agenda with other relevant technical work.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in geography, agriculture, forestry, social sciences, including communication, journalism or a related field or natural resource management with a focus on social sciences.
• Seven years of relevant experience in advocacy, promoting international alliances, sustainable mountain development, communications, knowledge management, natural resource management.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500299