Organizational Setting

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 the promotion of forestry and livelihoods, 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 EU Forest Governance and Value Chains Programme (FGVP) implemented by NFO supports the implementation of Forest Partnerships between the European Union and Partner Countries. Forest Partnerships are a new and key instrument of the European Union's Action to promote sustainable forest management and value chains. They are based on a holistic and integrated approach to forests, reflecting a high-level commitment to enhancing the role of forests in sustainable and inclusive national development whilst improving sector law enforcement, governance and trade. Forest Partnerships promote innovative investment and finance models to create efficient, pragmatic and impactful links between government, industry and forest communities. The FGVP support to Forest Partnerships revolves around two pillars:

1 improving governance for sustainable forest management, forest protection and restoration, and plantation development; and

2 developing legal and sustainable forest-based value chains.

The position is located in the Forestry Division (NFO), in the Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium in Brussels (LOB) in Bruxelles, Belgium.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer (Timber Value Chain and Business Development) reports to the Forestry Officer/FGVP Manager. Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director, NFO, the incumbent works in close coordination with teams within NFO, Decentralized Offices and other relevant FAO units and personnel dealing with supply chains, forests and climate change, and national forest monitoring.

Technical Focus

Value chain development, business planning, investments, market assessments, capacity development, resource mobilization and human resource management.

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

• Provides technical advisory services and technical backstopping to Forest Partnerships implementation and efforts to develop value chains and guide investment in accordance with the FGVP.

• Provides strategic and technical analysis on forest-related value chains.

• Supports the development, funding, formulation and implementation of activities and field projects that are operationally viable and meet the Organization's policy standards and best practices and requirements of participants through adequate inputs from NFO and other technical departments and in appropriate consultation with partners and the Project Support Division (PSS).

• Provides effective support to the implementation of the FGVP, including coordination of logistical and administration arrangements, monitoring of field project resources/progress and resolving outstanding operational problems, and advising and/or briefing technical officers on operational aspects.

• Guides, oversees or leads assessments of markets and investment opportunities for the forest bio-economy;

• Leads assessment of forest-based value chains and services to identify the most promising avenues for creating value and jobs in Forest Partnerships countries.

• Directly provides and/or mobilizes resources for providing technical support, capacity building, and mentoring for the FGVP partners and beneficiaries on business planning and the application of sustainable business models in the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), restoration, plantation development, value-added production and provision of ecosystem services.

• Guides, oversees or leads capacity development of the FGVP partners and beneficiaries to access finance from national financial institutions, Development Finance Institutions (DFls) and other funds.

• Contributes to the development of national or regional sustainable financing strategies in Forest Partnerships countries.

• Supports the Programme Manager with periodic progress and terminal reports for review by those units having technical, financial and operational responsibility, all for the eventual submission to the Programme Task Force (PTF), Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and donors, as appropriate.

• Represents the programme in international meetings and in high-level regional and national meetings and undertakes missions as appropriate to monitor programme progress and take corrective action, as required.

• Collaborates with the Forestry Officer/FGVP Manager in applying an increased strategic focus of NFO activities in line with the FAO Strategic Framework.

• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration or public administration, economics, social science, political science or a related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration, economics or related area.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and French.

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 in the field of administration, human resources, investments, access to finance and management in a large international organization.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.

• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools such as management information systems and Oracle financials.

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

• Ability to provide competent advice in regard to financial actions, human resource processing, procurement, and project cycle management and

• provide innovative solutions to complex operational problems.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the knowledge of the Africa Region is desirable.

• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of Spanish is desirable.

Forestry Officer (Timber Value Chain And Business Development)