Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for Central Africa (SFC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). It assists the FAO Representations in addressing food, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

In line with FAO’s regional priorities in Africa, SFC supports countries in unlocking the potential of forests, trees and wildlife to contribute to sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. This includes advancing forest and landscape restoration, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable wildlife management, forest-based livelihoods and innovative financing approaches that strengthen the contribution of forests to better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

The position is located in the Subregional Office for Central Africa (SFC) in Libreville, Gabon.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer reports to the Subregional Coordinator for Central Africa (SFC).

Technical Focus

Provision of applied technical support, normative work and programme development and implementation in the area of sustainable management of forests, forest landscapes and associated biodiversity, including wildlife and forest food systems including nursery management, restoration and reforestation, and silvicultural strategies that balance economic, environmental and social functions and values. The role provides hands-on technical backstopping to field projects and government counterparts to translate FAO's regional priority on climate action, biodiversity conservation and natural resources management for sustainable and resilient agrifood system transformation into sound forestry practice on the ground. The position will also contribute to advancing sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches, strengthening forest-based value chains and promoting innovative financing mechanisms to support forestry and conservation initiatives.

Key Results

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

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in internal 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 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 Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

· Supports on advising Country Offices on policies, strategies, and methods in the area of sustainable forest management forest and landscape restoration, afforestation and reforestation, climate action, biodiversity conservation, wildlife management and natural resources management, aligned with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-2031, to enhance the multiple economic, environmental and social functions of forests.

· Contributes to designing, supporting and implementing normative and technical activities related to sustainable forest management, including forest management planning, silviculture, nurseries, restoration, afforestation and reforestation initiatives, community forestry and integrated landscape approaches.

· Advises on forest-based value chains, including timber and non-timber forest products, forest foods and other nature-based products, with a focus on smallholder and community-based forestry, value addition, and market access and sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches that reinforce sustainable forest management objectives and resilient agrifood systems.

· Provides technical backstopping to field projects in the Country Offices, including support to project formulation, implementation, monitoring of forestry interventions, including initiatives related to forest restoration, wildlife conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and climate-resilient landscapes, in close collaboration with country counterparts and FAO teams.

· Supports capacity development and regional knowledge exchange by generating, compiling and disseminating technical guidance, training materials and good practice examples, including through regional workshops and knowledge platforms covering sustainable forest management, restoration, wildlife management, forest foods and the contribution of forests to resilient agrifood systems.

· Collaborates closely with other technical teams within the Organization and with external partners to ensure coherence and technical soundness of forestry interventions within broader landscape and rural development contexts including strengthening cross-sectoral linkages between forestry, agriculture, wildlife, nutrition and climate action.

· Contributes to resource mobilization and programme development by providing forestry expertise to the formulation of project proposals to donors including through the identification and promotion of innovative financing mechanisms for forestry, restoration and biodiversity conservation such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and bilateral donors.

Supports regional initiatives aimed at accelerating forest and landscape restoration efforts, including in the context of the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036), and contributes to efforts to unlock the potential of forests, trees and wildlife in transforming agrifood systems.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in forestry, forest resources management, natural resources management, environmental sciences, ecosystem management or a related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in forestry, forest and landscape restoration, and the implementation of forestry programmes at national and/or international level including experience in climate action, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, or sustainable forest-based value chains.

• 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 or knowledge of forest management in diverse forest types and ecosystems, and of global forest health situation including tropical forests, forest restoration, biodiversity conservation and wildlife-related approaches.

· Extent and relevance of experience in analysing forestry and related issues including forest-based value chains, forest foods, bioeconomy approaches and the contribution of forests to sustainable agrifood systems.

· Extent and relevance of experience in environmental and climate change issues including climate adaptation and mitigation, nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration.

· Ability to mobilize resources, including proven track record of climate financing mechanisms, innovative financing approaches and partnerships for forestry, restoration and biodiversity-related initiatives.

· Knowledge and experience in strengthening cross-sectoral linkages between forestry, agriculture, wildlife, nutrition and rural development is desirable.