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.

The Green Cities Initiative (GCI), which is coordinated by NFO, was launched during the 75th United Nations General Assembly in September 2020 and is an FAO Flagship Programme aiming at improving the urban environment and making a tangible impact on the lives of urban communities in 1,000 cities around the world by 2030. The vision of the GCI is to promote the use of urban and peri-urban forestry and agriculture, sustainable management of natural ecosystems and circular bioeconomy for green urban adaptation, increasing resilience, health and well-being of urban and peri-urban dwellers and supporting sustainable urban development.

The positions are located in the Greening Cities team, Forestry Division (NFO), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy or other locations.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent is under the overall supervision of the Urban Forestry Officer and Coordinator of the Green Cities Initiative, as well as under the direct technical supervision from other Officers in the wider GCI team, as appropriate.

Technical Focus 

The Green Cities Initiative Consultant will support the GCI team in the implementation and promotion of GCI and other sustainable urban development projects in selected countries/cities, in close collaboration with technical units from FAO headquarters, i.e. Plant Production and Protection Division, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, etc., regional and national offices, as well as partners who are working on sustainable and resilient urban food systems. The consultant will also provide analytical and technical support for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies, strategies, finance and communication in agriculture, forestry, bioeconomy, and natural resource management in the urban and peri-urban context.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Consultant will support the Green Cities Initiative and related programmes and projects and according to her/his specific background and skills will:
•    Participate in the development and monitoring of assigned programmes and projects, and provide technical support, identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions, liaise with relevant parties, identify and track follow-up actions;
•    Review and monitor the preparation of relevant project documents, substantial sections of reports, studies, and inputs to publications;
•    Contribute to corporate exercises for planning, monitoring and reporting on results achieved through projects design, implementation support, sector studies, strategies, policy dialogue and capacity development activities;
•    Contribute in the production of analytical tools, background papers, analysis, or concept notes;
•    Provide support in the production of communication, advocacy materials and outreach activities;
•    Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, corporate policies and procedures, development partners’ requirements and draft proposals;
•    Undertake field missions as and when required;
•    Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in forestry, agriculture, agricultural economics, natural resources economics, or a closely related field.
•    Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in working in the agrifood systems sector, especially in urban and peri-urban agriculture, urban and peri-urban forestry, urban food systems, urban natural resources management, including analytical studies, and/or in the formulation and implementation investment projects in developing countries and/or countries in transition.
•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English, French or Spanish and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

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, particularly in field positions is desirable;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in finance skills and policy formulation in agriculture;
•    Ability to plan and organize own work, deliver results and meet deadlines;
•    Ability to write clear and concise technical documents;
•    Ability to perform well in cross-disciplinary teams;
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Selection Criteria 

•    Proven experience data/ information collection and research and analysis;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in technical fields related to agriculture, forestry, food systems in the urban context;
•    Experience in designing policy recommendations and drafting policy briefs;
•    Capacity to write documents and reports in a clear and concise manner;
•    Strong writing skills in English language.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements