Organizational Setting

The FAO’s primary objective in Ukraine, is to support the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources (MEPNR) through the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine (SFRAU) and relevant national stakeholders in strengthening the enabling environment for the sector and thereby creating the basis for future medium- and long-term interventions to further promote the sector.
The EU-funded project ‘Inclusive, Competitive and Sustainable Value Chain Functioning and Development in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (ICSDAFF)’ (GCP/UKR/021/EC) was successfully approved last June ’23 and has subsequently become operational.
In parallel to the project, since the beginning of the year 2023, the FAO Ukraine Forestry Team has successfully implemented the FAO Forestry Support Strategy for Ukraine, which was fully approved by the government in June 23 and now needs to be shared among donors for funding and new TCP project “A forestry advisory network (FAN) to improve evidence-based policymaking for sustainable forest management” started in January 2024.
Considering the relevance and the increasing number of activities implemented by the forestry team and the need to deliver timely, FAO Ukraine is seeking the services of a National Forestry Specialist, who will work closely with FAO’s Senior International Forestry Consultant (SIFC) and National Forest Programme Specialist (NFPS) to facilitate technical inputs, operational support and inputs relevant to the implementation of FAO’s GCP/UKR/021/EC project and the development of FAO’s forestry programme in Ukraine.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO UA Head of Office/Designated Responsible Officer, the direct supervision of Project Manager for GCP/UKR/021/EC and of the FAO UA Head of Programme and in coordination with the Senior International Forestry Consultant and National Forestry Programme Specialist, as well as with relevant colleagues from FAO Ukraine, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and FAO HQ.

Technical Focus

The National Forestry Specialist will be responsible for supporting FAO activities in the forestry sector, providing technical inputs, operational support and inputs relevant to the implementation of FAO’s GCP/UKR/021/EC project and the development of FAO’s forestry programme in Ukraine.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical inputs to the evaluation of the new responsibilities and competencies of forestry authorities and other relevant forestry bodies in light of the institutional reform process led by the European Union.
•    Support the review and adoption of the Action Plan under the State Forest Management Strategy of Ukraine until 2035.
•    Facilitate the initial drafting of the Forestry legislation according to EU Forestry strategy for 2030 and EU Green Deal.
•    Support the implementation of the Forestry Action Plan under the State Forest Management Strategy of Ukraine until 2035
•    Support progressive developments, pilot testing and training on the updated e-tracking system for WR EWR 2.0
•    Provide technical inputs to the identification of the main functions of forest management in the target area, together with stakeholder analyses and the development of a Multifunctional forests management plan in the Carpathian region.
•    Participate in identification of forestry-based value chains (both wood and non-wood forest products) and the promotion of value chains, with the participation of the local community.
•    Participate in FAO technical and monitoring missions, donor and expert missions, and other missions as deemed necessary.
•    When necessary, participate and provide technical inputs to the forestry relevant meetings and negotiations.
•    Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    University degree in Forestry, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Social sciences, etc.
•    Three years of relevant experience in forestry sector.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English; working knowledge (level C) of Ukrainian.
•    Nationality of Ukraine or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Able to work with minimum guidance, well organized, attentive and pro-active.
•    Excellent communication skills in English and Ukrainian, ability to write and speak in a clear manner and adjust language and style depending on the audience.
•    Good knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
•    Ability to use information systems and databases to insert data, make enquiries, retrieve/define ad hoc reports and analyses and edit results in an appropriate format.
•    Willing to learn and look for efficient solutions to everyday tasks.
Team player with strong sense of responsibility