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 contributions of forests and trees to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. Staff of the Division liaise with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthening 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 Forest Monitoring and Data Platforms (FMDP) Team of the Forestry Division supports FAO Members on all aspects of forest monitoring to provide reliable information for forest and land use related policy development, planning, sustainable management and for satisfying international reporting requirements under the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and the CBD's Global Biodiversity Framework. The Team also supports countries on technical issues related to National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS), the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Restoration Monitoring, the development of Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) with environmental integrity and eligibility and monitoring requirements for forest finance initiatives such as the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF). The team also develops and maintains Open Foris and SEPAL platforms (Digital Public Goods for forest and land use monitoring). It works closely with the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) team. The work of the team supports implementation of Programme Priority Areas for a better environment under the FAO Strategic Framework.

The position is located in the Forest Monitoring and Data Platforms Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer (Open Foris) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader, NFOM, under the overall guidance of the Director, NFO..

Technical Focus
The Forestry Officer (Open Foris) is responsible for leading NFO work related to the Open Foris initiative. The incumbent ensures technical linkage with other relevant FAO units and partner organizations within the context of the FAO Strategic Framework and in alignment with the FAO Policy on Gender Equality.

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

• Coordinates the development and application of the Open Foris initiative.

• Coordinates and implements innovative approaches for technology transfer and capacity development.

• Supports documentation and reporting of the initiative with attribution to different projects and programmes.

• Supports resource mobilization efforts for the Open Foris initiative.

• Fosters collaboration across technical solutions and ensure cross-divisional collaboration.

• Ensures linkage between the Open Foris initiative and thematic priorities of the team and the Division.

• Supports technical leadership on NFMS, ETF, and MRV and the deployment of Open Foris to enable forest monitoring and reporting.

• Elevates communications on the Open Foris initiative internally and externally.

• Performs any other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in forestry, natural resource management or a related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in forest and land management or monitoring, or a related field.

• 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).

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.

• Depth of knowledge of innovative forest monitoring.

• Extent and relevance of experience in NFMS, ETF, and MRV.

• Extent and relevance of experience in country support on forest monitoring and reporting and the development and delivery of innovative approaches to technology transfer and capacity development.

• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.

• Ability to mobilize resources.