Specialist for Forest Restoration

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) focuses on addressing regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development, working closely with national governments and other stakeholders to implement effective programs and policies.

Job Overview:
The Specialist for Forest Restoration will play a crucial role in the implementation of a project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aimed at enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests. This position involves supporting the technical execution of project activities, particularly those related to forest restoration interventions. The incumbent will work closely with national counterparts and project partners to ensure that the project aligns with Serbia's Law on Forests and contributes to sustainable forest management practices. The role requires a strong focus on increasing nursery capacities, managing logistics for planting materials, and developing the skills of stakeholders in sustainable forestry practices. The Specialist will also be responsible for monitoring and assessing the impacts of restoration interventions and contributing to project communication and knowledge management activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Specialist include:

• Increasing nursery capacities for producing climate-adaptive container seedlings at national public nurseries and seed centers in Serbia, including training nursery staff in seed handling processes.
• Selecting seed stands and trees, establishing seed plantations, and managing the production of up to 35 million one-year-old seedlings of target species.
• Overseeing logistics for the transfer of planting materials from nurseries to restoration sites and ensuring sustainable planting practices.
• Preparing sites for planting and maintaining selected public and private lands for forest and agroforestry investments.
• Developing capacities of public and private stakeholders in sustainable forest restoration practices.
• Monitoring and assessing the impacts of forest restoration interventions.
• Contributing to project communication and knowledge management activities.
• Preparing technical inputs for progress and monitoring reports required under the FAO-GCF project.
• Providing guidance to national stakeholders to ensure clarity in roles and responsibilities and support high-quality output delivery.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: For Consultants: An advanced university degree in forestry, agronomy, or related fields from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Consultants with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. For Project Support Assistants (PSAs): A university degree in forestry, agronomy, or related fields from an institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in project/programme implementation within the natural resources management sector. A working knowledge of English is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in forestry, agronomy, or related fields from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For those applying as PSAs, a university degree in the same fields is necessary. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify for the Consultant role.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in project or programme implementation specifically within the natural resources management sector. Candidates should demonstrate a strong background in managing projects at the field level, showcasing their ability to work effectively in diverse environments and with various stakeholders.

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 region or the stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve working closely with national and international partners. The role is focused on project implementation and may require travel to various project sites within Serbia. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards, and the position may be subject to specific contract durations depending on project funding and timelines.