Botanist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Established in 1945, FAO aims to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. The organization is committed to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The FAO's initiatives are guided by the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, focusing on the interconnections between agriculture, climate change, and biodiversity.

Job Overview:
The Botanist position is integral to the Forestry Climate Change Biodiversity (FCCB) Nexus project, which is part of the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Papua New Guinea. This role focuses on botanical assessment and species identification to support the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and enhance the capacity of the national herbarium and plant taxonomy. The Botanist will be responsible for conducting gap assessments, training, and coordinating the implementation of NFI activities. The position requires a strong emphasis on collaboration with local and international partners to promote botanical studies and capacity building. The incumbent will also be involved in data analysis and reporting, ensuring that the information collected contributes to sustainable forest management and climate finance transparency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Botanist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: conducting a gap assessment on national botanical assessment capacity and preparing an action plan; conducting training and upgrading herbarium facilities; coordinating the implementation of the NFI at PNGFRI; determining and verifying botanical species from collected specimens; supporting the completion and publication of the PNG vascular plant species checklist; monitoring and supervising the PNG Forest Research Institute to ensure timely implementation of agreements; preparing progress monitoring reports; managing financial reporting under the Letter of Agreement; promoting collaboration on botanical studies; managing NFI assets and equipment; assisting in organizing NFI events; supporting awareness initiatives; monitoring field inventory teams to ensure adherence to protocols; conducting data analysis and producing reports for various audiences; and performing any other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Forestry, Plant Sciences, Biodiversity Conservation, or a related field. A first-level university degree with additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in botanical assessment, plant taxonomy, herbarium management, forest inventory, or biodiversity-related research and analysis. A working knowledge of English is also required, and candidates must be nationals of Papua New Guinea.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Forestry, Plant Sciences, or Biodiversity Conservation. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have additional relevant experience that compensates for the lack of an advanced degree. This educational requirement ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in the scientific principles and methodologies necessary for effective botanical assessment and management.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass areas such as botanical assessment, plant taxonomy, herbarium management, forest inventory, or biodiversity-related research and analysis. The role demands a depth of knowledge and practical skills in these areas to effectively contribute to the objectives of the FCCB Nexus project and to support the National Forest Inventory initiatives.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the international collaboration aspects of the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Lae, Papua New Guinea, and involves collaboration with the FAO Project Management Unit located in Port Moresby. The FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must have their educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.