Organizational Setting
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 and ecosystem services.
The post is in the programme coordination unit of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme in the FAO Forestry Division. The SWM Programme aims to reduce hunting of wildlife to sustainable levels, protect endangered wildlife species, conserve biodiversity, reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases and secure ecosystems services (i.e., food) to Indigenous People and rural communities. The SWM Programme is funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment and the French Development Agency.
The SWM Programme is led by FAO and works through a consortium of partners, which includes the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The initiative is implementing projects in sixteen countries, namely: Botswana, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Guyana, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The SWM Programme directly contributes to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and supports governments in their work to
achieve many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption
and Production, and SDG 15 on Life on Land.
Within the above context, the SWM Programme is seeking the support of consultants and subscribers to support the implementation of project activities.
Reporting Lines
The consultants/subscribers will report to the SWM Programme Coordinator, Senior Forestry Officer, NFO.
Technical Focus
The identified assignments will support the SWM Programme Coordination Unit in the implementation of the programme activities at
global and site levels. The three main areas are:
• Sustainable wildlife and natural resources management
• Policy advice and governance
• Capacity building and training in wildlife-related topics
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide expert advice and support to the SWM Programme Coordination Unit and site teams in his/her area of technical expertise.
• Support the preparation, review and finalization of technical SWM Programme publications, guidelines and capacity building activities in his/her area of specialisation to promote effective sustainable wildlife and natural resources management.
• Design and support research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities for specific SWM Programme sites.
• Liaise with relevant FAO units, SWM Programme partners and/or other organizations to obtain guidance and comments on technical and scientific matters.
• Contribute to SWM Programmes strategic plans and the implementation of assigned activities in accordance with FAO and donor rules, procedures and systems.
• As applicable, organize and participate in missions and other events in support of the delivery of the SWM Programme, including for consultation, training, capacity building and technical assistance to site teams.
• Contribute to SWM Programme communication and outreach materials.
• Develop concept notes/project documents
• Any other duties that relate to his/her area of technical expertise.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forest resources management, wildlife management, environmental sciences or related field. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forest resources management, wildlife management, environmental sciences or related field.
• At least one year of relevant experience for Category C, at least five years’ relevant experience for Category B, and at least ten years relevant experience for Category A on issues related to forest resources management and/or wildlife management.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of French for COF.REG consultants. For PSA.SBS consultants working knowledge of only one of these two.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection Criteria
• Extent and relevance of technical work experience in one or more of the main areas of SWM Programme’s work.
• Fields experience working on sustainable hunting management, wild meat consumption and human-wildlife conflict issues.
• Familiarity with FAO policies and procedures would be an asset.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge management and capacity building or training experience, especially related to sustainable wildlife management, may be considered an asset.
