Organizational Setting

The Green Cities Initiative (GCI), launched during the 75th United Nations General Assembly in September 2020, is an FAO Flagship Programme aiming at improving the urban environment and making a tangible impact on the lives of urban communities in 1,000 cities around the world by 2030. The vision of the GCI is to promote the use of urban and peri-urban forestry and agriculture, sustainable management of natural ecosystems and circular bioeconomy for green urban adaptation, increasing resilience, health and well-being of urban and peri-urban dwellers and supporting sustainable urban development.

Under GCI framework, in October 2024 FAO launched the project “FAO Green Cities Initiative in Action to support 10 African cities” (GCP/GLO/1245/ITA), financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy.

The project will assist 10 cities in five African countries to develop bankable investment strategies supporting adaptation to climate shocks and leveraging the multiple benefits offered by mainstreaming urban and peri-urban forestry, urban agriculture, and circular bioeconomy practices. The portfolio of possible investment options will be leveraged in the framework of the Italian Climate Fund and other Italian Development Cooperation instruments, paving the way for further expanding public-private collaboration as well synergies with other developments partners and International Finance Institutions.

The post is located in the Greening Cities team, Forestry Division (NFO), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Urban Forestry and Urban Greening Expert reports to the Urban Forestry Officer and GCI Coordinator, under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director, NFO.

Technical Focus 

The consultant will be responsible for supporting the development of the urban forestry component of local bankable investment strategies and projects to be submitted for climate financing.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Contribute to the development of a data collection framework of city-level data to be used by national project teams.
•    Support research and analysis of the existing green infrastructure in selected areas of intervention and identify existing gaps in the distribution and management of green spaces to support climate change adaptation strategies.
•    Identify promising urban forestry and urban greening practices suitable for implementation at city-level.
•    Collaborate with project experts and national teams to select the most cost-effective urban forests and urban greening solutions and indicate how these can be integrated into the local Green Cities Action Plans.
•    Explore opportunities for the development of public-private partnerships, for example through the development of innovation hubs and start-ups.
•    Promote knowledge sharing among project teams and stakeholders on strategies to maximize ecosystem services through tree planting and management, green roofs, and other green infrastructure solutions.
•    Produce periodical technical information notes on matters related to project activities.
•    Participate in coordination meetings and stocktaking exercises.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in forestry, natural resource management, or other relevant fields.
•    At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, including practical experience in the implementation of interventions for the sustainable management of urban forests and urban green spaces, preferably in Africa.
•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English.

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, including Africa.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in developing integrated urban forestry interventions that prioritize climate adaptation strategies.
•    Demonstrated experience in implementing cost-effectiveness analysis of urban forestry practices.
•    Demonstrated research and analytical abilities, and familiarity with the latest research and innovations in urban forestry.
•    Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely.
•    Demonstrated ability to work in a team and under tight deadlines.
•    Working knowledge of French will be considered an asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements