Organizational Setting

The FAO has been in existence since its founding in 1945, making it one of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations. FAO Indonesia serves as a vital force in the nation's agricultural development, committed to sustainability and food security. From more than 40 years operations, The FAO in Indonesia focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security through sustainable farming practices and improved access to resources. The institution collaborates with government agencies and local communities to promote resilience to natural disasters and climate change in the agriculture sector. Additionally, the FAO supports policies and capacity building initiatives aimed at achieving long-term sustainable development and poverty reduction in Indonesia.

The Province of Riau, Indonesia, was identified in 2024 as a beneficiary of the UK-funded UN-REDD Green for Riau, following a formal request submitted by the Regional Government of Riau to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2023. The project aims to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities at the provincial level to enable readiness for accessing high-integrity, results-based climate finance from international sources in support of REDD implementation. This UN-REDD project has 7 output areas of which FAO covers mainly output 2 (establishing an initial sub-national forest reference level and the corresponding sub-national forest monitoring arrangements) but contributes also to other project outputs.

Reporting Lines

The Subnational Project Assistant, based in Pekanbaru, will report to and work under the overall managerial administrative leadership and direct supervision of FAO UN-REDD Progamme Lead and will closely coordinate with the Green for Riau Project Team and relevant stakeholders at national and sub-national levels.

Technical Focus

The prospective incumbent will support effective delivery of GREEN for Riau – FAO component activities and ensure smooth communication between the project team with the sub-national stakeholders, including provincial and district governments, and related stakeholders. 
The position will also provide technical inputs related to forest carbon inventory and monitoring to support the development of an initial sub-national Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) for Riau province to assess potential applicability for future climate finance instruments of relevant REDD standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Coordinate engagement with provincial stakeholders and maintain effective communication between the project team and subnational counterparts to ensure smooth collaboration
•     Support to the review on availability, quality, and gaps of data relevant to subnational MRV and FREL development
•     Support improvements through data collection, validation, integration, and harmonization between national and subnational systems
•     Assist the development of the TREES Registration Document, including data compilation, methodological descriptions, analysis compliance, technical annexes, and supporting evidence, in coordination with relevant counterparts.
•     Support the preparation of technical documentation, presentations, and communications with national and subnational stakeholders including government agencies, technical teams, and relevant stakeholders.
•     Provide technical, logistical and coordination support for meetings, workshops, and capacity development.
•     Perform other related tasks, as required, in support of project objectives and FAO’s mandate

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•     Advanced university degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. 
•     Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, or field implementation;  applicants with bachelor’s degrees must have 3 additional years of relevant experience.
•     Working knowledge of English and Bahasa Indonesia.
•     National of Indonesia.

FAO Core 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 is desirable
•     Knowledge and/or experience in carbon market, nature-based solutions, forest carbon inventory, forest monitoring, or MRV processes.
•     Familiar with GHG emissions calculation methodologies used in the AFOLU sector.
•     Extent and relevant of experience in implementation of technical assistance projects, preferably in the areas of national/subnational development planning environmental, forestry or sustainable development
•     Extent and relevant of experience in coordinating and liaising with government officials

Selection Criteria

•     Technical knowledge in greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, carbon accounting, nature based solutions, and spatial analysis
•     Strong knowledge of local governance structures and policy implementation at the provincial/district level.
•     Excellent communication, facilitation, organisational, and negotiation skills.
•     Proficiency in MS Office applications and digital collaboration tools; experience in GIS/remote sensing tools is highly desirable.
•     Ability to work remotely and independently.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION