JOB DESCRIPTION

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 Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

Under the 8th 4-year cycle of programme funding (GEF-8, 2022-2026), the GEF Trust Fund provides funding for the GEF-8 Critical Forest Biome Integrated Program for Indo-Malaya (CFB IP) targeting the conservation of the remaining primary forests of Southeast Asia. In particular, the CFB IP will contribute to maintaining the integrity of globally important primary forests of Indo-Malaya to maximize multiple global environment benefits related to carbon and biodiversity and human well-being. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) were selected by the GEF to co-lead the CFB IP.

The CFB IP consists of a regional coordination child project and three country child projects in Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand (with eight target landscapes) for the duration of 6 years. The Indo-Malaya Critical Forest Biome Regional Coordination and Technical Support Project was endorsed by the GEF CEO in December 2024 as a Full-Sized Child Project under the CFB IP with funding under the Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation Focal Areas.  The project implementation phase of the project will be directly executed jointly by IUCN and FAO. For this purpose, the two organizations established a joint Project Task Force (PTF).

The Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the RAP Senior Forestry Officer, the overall operations and administration guidance of the RAP Field Programme Officer/ Budget Holder and in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), project managers and other team members of the GEF8 Indo-Malaya Critical Forest Biomes Integrated Programme. S/he will work closely with the Project Management Unit and in particular the MEL specialist and be responsible for knowledge management and capacity development activities of the project.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand

Reporting Lines

The Knowledge Management and Capacity Development Specialist will be under the overall supervision by the FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, direct technical supervision by the FAO Senior Forest Officer and the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and administratively guidance by the FAO Budget Holder (BH). The consultant will also report to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) project progress and work closely with project team members as well as the project stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Capacity Development, knowledge management, reporting, information technology, primary forest, forestry, inclusive conservation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

Capacity Development:

•    Conduct Capacity Needs Assessment & develop Capacity Development Plan;
•    Implement the capacity development plan and evaluate impacts of capacity development activities.
•    Coordinate the development, review and updating of training modules with module leads, suggest improvements and updates.
•    Review training materials and make improvements and updates to package in consultation with key staff to ensure the best transfer of knowledge.
•    Provide support to the development of knowledge products and training materials.
•    Contribute capacity development aspects to annual project reporting, planning, and budgeting.
•    Contribute Capacity Development aspects to the design and implementation of the RCP Annual Conference.

Knowledge management:

•    Oversee the planning, coordination and implementation of knowledge management policies, procedures and systems, and ensure these are efficient and effective.
•    Further develop the project knowledge management strategy and ensure its timely implementation.
•    Design and manage the Project’s Integrated Knowledge and Learning Hub
•    Continuously capture and manage knowledge emerging from the Project, document successful experiences and make them available for up-scaling.
•    Develop best practice notes, and videos displaying key project thematic areas
•    Oversee the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant projects nationally, regionally, and internationally.
•    Share case studies, knowledge and lessons learned on key issues relating to the project’s areas of work with stakeholders at all levels through technical briefs, websites, videos, social media, media, etc. and provide this information as part of the PIR, Mid-term Review and Terminal Evaluation.
•    Promote a culture of lesson learning amongst the project team, partners and beneficiaries.
•    Contribute KM sections to annual reports and annual workplans and budgets.
•    Contribute KM aspects to the design and implementation of the Annual Conference.
•    Take relevant technical missions as required
•    Perform other relevant technical assignment as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    An advanced degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in education, social anthropology, economics, sustainable development, knowledge management or related fields is required;
•    A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in knowledge management, institutional capacity development, training and/or curriculum development;
•    Working knowledge of  English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in primary forest, inclusive conservation and sustainable management of primary forest landscape, protected areas and multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment on critical forest biome.
•    Good reporting and information management skills.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in communication, advocacy and training
•    Extend and relevant of experience in working with the government counterparts of the participating child projects at different level, as well as other stakeholders would be an asset.
•    Relevant work experience in Southeast Asia and/or Papua New Guines
•    Technical competence in software and applications related to the running of the Integrated Knowledge and learning hub
•    Familiarity with coordination for the development and operations of an integrated knowledge and learning hub

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements