ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Uganda (FRUGA) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to country priorities for food security, agriculture, forestry, and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the country. FAOs mandate is to support governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and promote sustainable use natural resources.

The project “Sustainable Wood-based Value Chains in Uganda” – GCP/UGA/072/EC aims to promote sustainable management practices of existing wood resources through wood resource planning, timber yield regulation plans, and certification schemes. It also seeks to enhance processing capacity and market development of wood products, strengthening aggregation models and supporting primary and secondary wood processors.

In order to address gaps related to investment and access to finance for SMEs in the wood-based industry, the project will provide capacity development and advisory services to local financing institutions (banks and non-banks) together with facilitating policy dialogues to improve the enabling environment for investors in the wood-based industry. This position is located in FAO Uganda.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Uganda and the direct technical supervision of the Team Leader, Forestry FAO Uganda, and the technical backstopping of the regional Lead Technical Officer, the Wood Harvesting and Processing Technical Advisor shall work with other Technical Advisors, Consultants and other programme specialists and analysts in the implementation of the project.

Technical Focus

In the framework of the Sustainable wood-based value chains project and the forest partnership programme, FAO plans to recruit a specialised expertise in wood harvesting and forest products processing to support Uganda’s forest sector on inclusive investments in commercial forestry. The Wood Harvesting and Processing Technical Advisor will lead the inventory of wood resources, the development of primary and secondary wood processing and ensure the delivery of high-quality of project outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Wood Harvesting and Processing Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following:

I.    Wood resources and value-chains development
•    Lead inventory of planted forests
•    Oversee the technical operations in, forest harvesting, processing and manage compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
•    Provide technical support to the development/diversification of wood products value chains for local and export markets.

II.    Capacity development and innovation
•    Lead/Conduct training, and transfer of technical skills and knowledge in harvesting, transport, roads, primary and secondary processing.
•    Develop and promote innovative and viable service delivery models and approaches on harvesting, processing and marketing.
•    Organize exposure visits as part of capacity development by identifying the most appropriate companies which can officer experience close to what can fit the Ugandan context.
•    Draft terms of reference for recruiting technical service providers to run specialized courses on harvesting, and processing

III.    Forestry standard development, wood products certification and stakeholder engagement
•    Lead the certification of forests and wood products.
•    Lead the creation of a network of private and public companies/stakeholders engaged in wood processing at local and national levels.
•    Lead discussions with key players in the wood industry about activities of the project during the inception phase to ensure alignment with the needs of the
•    Any other duty assigned by supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in forest technology and management, forestry engineering, wood science, wood technology, or related field.
•    At least 7 years’ experience in technical forest education and training, certification, development of standards, procedures and guidelines, and grand management in a commercial forest setting,
•    At least 7 years’ experience in commercial forest management, wood processing industry with at least five years in a Technical Advisory position.
•    Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience in commercial plantation forestry operations, and wood processing (primary and secondary).
•    Hands-on experience in training wood harvesting, transport, primary and secondary wood processing.
•    Experience in developing forest and wood processing guidelines, procedures, and standards.
•    Experience in working in multi-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and professional domains. Ability to listen, interpret and integrate different opinions and views.
•    Proven analytical capacity and problem-solving skills.
•    Ability to work independently, analyses and solve problems and priorities issues.
•    Ability to be flexible, versatile and adapt to changing environments.
•    Ability to plan and deliver work according to time scales and required milestones with a strong commitment to quality and paying attention to detail.

Selection Criteria

•    Knowledge of commercial forestry, wood processing and/or value addition
•    Excellent knowledge of monitoring and evaluation techniques specific to forestry projects.
•    Demonstrated experience in working with government agencies, private sector, NGOs, international organizations, and local communities.
•    Knowledge of the commercial forestry sector, including timber production, non-timber forest products, and ecosystem services.
•    Familiarity with the local context and socio-economic conditions affecting forestry in Uganda.
•    Ability to travel frequently within the country and occasionally internationally.
•    Commitment to the project’s goals and objectives, with a focus on achieving sustainable forestry management and commercial success.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
•    Good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

How to Apply
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Good luck!