Organizational Setting

The Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO’s work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world’s forest resources and, on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products and ecosystem services.

The post is in the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme team.

The SWM Programme aims to reduce hunting of wildlife to sustainable levels, protect endangered wildlife species, conserve biodiversity, reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases and secure ecosystems services (i.e., food) to Indigenous People and rural communities. The SWM Programme is funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment and the French Development Agency.

The SWM Programme is led by FAO and works through a consortium of partners, which includes the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The initiative is implementing projects in several countries, like: Botswana, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The SWM Programme directly contributes to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and supports governments in their work to
achieve many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption
and Production, and SDG 15 on Life on Land.

Within the above context, the SWM Programme is seeking the support of Consultants and PSA Subscribers to support the coordination of activities at site level.

Reporting Lines

The Consultants/PSA Subscribers will report to the SWM Programme Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The assignment will support the SWM Programme Coordinator in the development, implementation and management of field Projects in the area of sustainable wildlife/natural resource management for the local communities.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Consultants/PSA Subscribers will:
•    Manage the implementation of the field Project in close collaboration with the SWM Programme Coordinator.
•    Contribute to the preparation and implementation of Letters of Agreement (LoA), contracts with the field partners and Operational Partnership Agreements (OPA) with the implementing partners.
•    Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the country-level activities and of the Letters of Agreement (LoAs) signed with technical partners.
•    Liaise with FAO technical officers and other FAO staff at headquarters and Regional/Sub-regional/Country Offices as needed, as well as with the implementing partners to ensure the provision of appropriate technical support services in accordance with the SWM programme documents.
•    Ensure smooth collaborations with relevant national, regional and interregional institutions/organizations.
•    Undertake regular backstopping field missions to the SWM programme intervention sites and provides technical advice to facilitate smooth implementation of field activities.
•    Support national site review committees and task force meetings.
•    Coordinate knowledge management and outreach activities at national level in close consultation with the SWM Programme Knowledge Management and Outreach Coordinator.
•    Contribute to build and maintain institutional relationships at national level collaborating with relevant officers.
•    Support the SWM Programme fundraising activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in forest resources management, wildlife management, biology or related field.
•    5 years of relevant experience in issues related to programme support activities and management, forest resources and/or wildlife management and conservation.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English for Consultants and PSA Subscribers English or French.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria 

•    Extent and relevance of Project management work experience in one or more of SWM Programme’s countries with particular focus on the Community-based Natural Resource Management.
•    Excellent communication skills.
•    Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of French is an asset.
•    Familiarity with FAO policies and procedures is an asset.