Forestry Officer (Adaptation with Mitigation Synergies)

Job Posting Organization:
The Forestry Division (NFO) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management and addressing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of forestry. Established to support member countries in developing effective forest policies, the division plays a crucial role in forest conservation and management, contributing to poverty reduction and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. The organization operates globally, engaging with civil society and the private sector to enhance the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The division is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on the world's forest resources, including the production and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products. FAO's work encompasses a wide range of projects aimed at advancing ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience, particularly in developing countries.

Job Overview:
The Forestry Officer position within the Forests and Climate Team of the Forestry Division at FAO is focused on providing technical support, capacity development, and policy guidance related to forests, wetlands, and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). The incumbent will report to the Forestry Officer and work closely with team members, decentralized offices, and other relevant FAO units. The role involves supporting FAO's normative work and project portfolio related to ecosystem-based adaptation, which includes sustainable management, restoration, and conservation of forests and wetlands, as well as integrated fire management. The officer will be responsible for adaptation planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) efforts in various developing regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific. The position also requires collaboration with global partner organizations and networks, providing science-based information to support EbA monitoring and reporting in line with international agreements. The officer will contribute to internal and external communications, develop knowledge products, and facilitate stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective delivery of project activities and outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Forestry Officer include providing technical and project management support for FAO's normative work and projects related to ecosystem-based adaptation. This encompasses the sustainable management, restoration, and conservation of forests and wetlands, as well as integrated fire management. The officer will assist in adaptation planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) in developing countries. They will contribute technical advice and liaise with global partner organizations, support programme and pipeline development, and manage reporting related to forests, wetlands, and EbA. The officer will also engage in internal and external communications, develop and disseminate knowledge products, and facilitate stakeholder engagement. Organizing meetings, workshops, and conferences, summarizing and reporting results, and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups to ensure timely project delivery are also key responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as climate change, forests, rural livelihoods, natural resources management, wetlands, land use, water, soils, law, or international development. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. Relevant work experience is required, with at least 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, or 10 years for category A, in international development linked to climate change action, forests, wetlands, or fire management. Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in climate change, forests, rural livelihoods, natural resources management, wetlands, land use, water, soils, law, international development, or a related field. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional relevant professional experience to qualify for the role.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position varies by category: at least 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, or 10 years for category A. Candidates should have relevant work experience in international development related to climate change action, forests, wetlands, or fire management. Experience in project design, management, and implementation is also essential, along with familiarity with climate change adaptation and ecosystem management.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at a proficient level (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having limited knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) would be an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, with the possibility of being home-based. Candidates should be prepared for duty travel missions to developing countries and field sites as needed. The role may involve working in developing countries or Spanish-speaking and/or tropical countries, which would be considered an asset. The selection criteria include clarity of expression, readiness for travel, and relevant experience in monitoring, evaluating, and learning efforts for adaptation and resilience.