Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) situated in Apia, Samoa supports member countries in meeting their national priorities in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, agrifood systems, nutrition and rural development. FAO’s member countries in the Pacific include the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu and Tokelau as associate member. FAO brings to the partners, extensive technical expertise in sustainable agriculture, including forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agri-food systems, ecosystem restoration.
FAO is executing the Integrated Forest Management Project in Solomon Islands in partnership with MECDM, MOFR and MAL. This project is recruiting a Technical Advisor to manage and deliver the project objectives and to support stakeholders in better achieving the full potential of project resources. The post is based in the Solomon Islands (Honiara) and funded under the FAO-GEF Project ”Integrated Forest Management in the Solomon Islands”- GCP/SOI/001/GFF’. The project aims to promote integrated management of protected and productive forest landscapes for sustainable community development and multiple environmental benefits.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of Subregional Coordinator, The Technical Adviser reports to the Forestry Officer and Lead Technical Officer in FAOSAP. He/she works in collaboration with the national team of the project, government institutions, relevant FAO technical and support staff and consultants as well as partners. He/She will supervise the national project team and guide them in achieving the full results of project outcomes.

Technical Focus 

Overall project management and reporting, and coordination of all technical and managerial aspects of the project, in particular with emphasis/focus on establishment of Terrestrial Forest Protected Areas and alternate livelihood options for communities, operationalizing Projected Area Trust Fund, Organizing the SFM and NFMS trainings etc. in line with the project’s objectives. Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of departmental/division programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with departmental/division objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, the implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists to the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
•    Assists with the coordination of programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
•    Assists/supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
•    Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
•    Participates in activities, structures training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topic/activities.
•    Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
•    Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work
•    Leads the Project Management Unit (PMU), directing the execution of the project’s technical and administrative activities, with support from the National Project Coordinator (NPC).
•    Provides technical backstopping and advice on all aspects related to implementation of integrated forestry management, establishment of Protected Areas and Protected Areas trust fund, implementation of income generation activities, and capacity building and knowledge sharing activities.
•    Prepares annual work plans and budget, and project monitoring reports in coordination with the project team and assist in implementing mid-term review recommendations, organizing project terminal evaluation, ensuring technical compliance with project objective, outcomes and outputs, and the M-E plan
•    Reviews terms of reference and technical specifications for the hire of international and national experts/consultants and monitors their work plans and outputs.
•    Prepare work and procurement plans, reviews procurement and subcontracting documentation; prepares Letters of Agreements (LoA) and contracts and monitors their implementation to ensure achievement of planned project outputs.
•    Coordinates the implementation of the project’s communication strategy and institutional strengthening activities; and liaises with project partners and others stakeholders.
•    Performs any other related functions as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University degree in forestry, agriculture, natural resources management or a related field
•    Seven years of relevant experience in forestry or natural resources management, with solid experience in project management including experience in cross sector coordination of issues in the context of natural resources management
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other five languages Arabic, French, Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

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.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in forest management and related issues
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the Pacific Islands/Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contexts is considered a strong asset.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in policy, institutional and cross-sector coordination issues related to natural resources management.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in results-based project or programme management and monitoring
•    Familiarity with donor-funded projects and reporting requirements is desirable.