Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist the government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) is a four-year project co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) that promotes the sustainable management of local forest resources while strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. At the same time, the initiative aims to contribute to national commitments and global action on climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection. The goal of CASFor is to strengthen the capacity of Community Forestry and Community Protected Areas and improve the livelihoods of community members while actively contributing to climate action and biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist (Capacity-Building) reports directly to the Technical Advisor (Forestry) and works under the oversight of Programme Advisor (Forest, Land and Water) and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with the FAO Representation, government counterparts and implementing partners. The incumbent will carry out the tasks listed below.

Technical Focus

Lead the development of a capacity-building programme of the CASFor project aiming at improving the technical, financial and organizational capacity of beneficiary communities and institutions. Support the implementation of the programme, including development of training materials and implementation of training workshops, organization of exchanges and peer-learning events.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Technical Specialist (Capacity-Building) will contribute to several technical areas as follows:

Capacity Building Plan Implementation
•    Conduct and/or revise and update the capacity needs assessment developed during project formulation and other needs assessment reports as basis to elaborate the capacity-building programme;
•    Develop and lead the implementation of the overarching CASFor capacity building plan that maps out and enhances the capacity building activities being carried out by CASFor consortium partners to identify linkages and support needed for the planned project activities;
•    Develop a comprehensive capacity-building program for, and in close collaboration with government counterparts that includes training plans and development of materials, tools and mechanisms for improved community and institutional capacity;
•    Develop a work plan and budget for training events led by FAO;

Technical Support to Capacity Building Actions
•    Conduct consultations with technical counterparts and partners in order to assess training needs and appropriate methodologies;
•    Provide support to implementing and consortium partners on capacity-building activities;
•    Conducts technical review of capacity building plans and capacity-building-related deliverables submitted by CASFor Service Providers, as assigned by the CASFor Technical Advisor;
•    Elaborate monitoring tools and associated guidance to assess the improved capacity of project beneficiaries, for use by FAO, consortium and government partners in their capacity-building activities;

Supporting M&E-Knowledge Management Work
•    Coordinate the data collection, assessments, beneficiary feedback and impact surveys on capacity-building across all CASFor activities;
•    Support the planning, design and preparation of the project mid-term review and end-term evaluation, in close collaboration with SDC, the FAO team, and the consortium partners;
•    Monitor and evaluate capacity-building activities and progress towards achieving the project outputs and related contributions to the Forest, Land and Water Thematic Area;
•    Contribute to the knowledge management system including recompilation of successful experiences and lessons learned for wider dissemination;

Reporting
•    Prepare progress reports and provide consolidated information, in compliance with FAO and SDC’s requirements and project needs;
•    Update the Result Data Management tool used by SDC for progress reports on training data;

Overall Project Management
•    Represent the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for training-related matters;
•    Participate in annual project reviews, project steering committee meetings, and planning workshops and assist the PIU management, the FAO Representative, LTO, in preparing relevant reports;
•    Conduct periodical monitoring-oriented field trips to the project sites;
•    Conduct all tasks in close coordination with other technical project personnel (i.e. M&E-KM specialist, value chain specialist, climate finance specialist, MRV specialist);
•    Perform any other tasks as required to deliver the expected outputs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Forestry, Agroforestry, Rural Development, Environmental or Climate Sciences or related fields
•    At least five years of relevant experience in capacity-building, development of technical and training materials, workshops and extension materials implemented by national/international NGOs/UN organizations/ Government. Experience from UN projects would be desirable
•    Working knowledge of Khmer and English (C level) is mandatory
•    National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated experience in implementing capacity-building programs
•    Extent and relevance of experience in forestry governance, community-based sustainable forest management, monitoring support, support to government institutions and counterparts
•    Experience in design and development of training materials including visuals
•    Excellent writing and presentational/visual skills
•    Familiarity with stakeholders at national and subnational levels
•    Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure, and deliver assignments on time
•    Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player
•    Work experience in the project target provinces (desirable)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION