Technical Specialist (Forest-Positive Policy Analysis)

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 over 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization works in more than 130 countries worldwide, with 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. FAO's work encompasses a wide range of areas including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development, with a focus on sustainable practices that contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Cambodia, FAO aims to assist the government in developing policies and programs that enhance food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while promoting sustainable management of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Technical Specialist (Forest-Positive Policy Analysis) will play a crucial role in supporting FAO's initiatives in Cambodia, particularly in the context of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project aimed at strengthening sustainable forest landscape management and promoting agricultural practices that are decoupled from deforestation. This position involves coordinating with government focal points to map national land-use practices, assess agro-forestry tenure, and conduct a gap analysis to evaluate the country's readiness for forest-positive practices. The specialist will be responsible for delivering actionable recommendations that enhance land governance and support deforestation-free commodity supply chains, thereby contributing to the overall objectives of improving rural livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience in Cambodia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Specialist (Forest-Positive Policy Analysis) will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing a detailed work plan for the consultancy, outlining methodology, timeline, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Conducting policy and institutional mapping by collecting and assessing relevant international, national, and local tenure-related instruments and practices.
• Focusing on instruments related to forest-positive and sustainable production systems, particularly for commodities like cashew.
• Complementing desk research with data from national repositories, past assessments, and interviews with key stakeholders.
• Performing compliance and verification analysis to map responsible institutional entities and assess the availability of data and systems for due diligence.
• Conducting a gap analysis to identify key tenure, policy, and institutional gaps, proposing actionable solutions to strengthen the enabling environment for sustainable practices.
• Drafting a comprehensive Policy Gap Assessment Report that summarizes findings and recommendations.
• Organizing and facilitating validation meetings with stakeholders to present findings and gather technical inputs, revising the report based on feedback received.
• Performing related duties as required to support the project objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture policy, tenure, economics, or related fields. Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of professional experience in areas related to environmental policy, agriculture-forestry nexus, natural resources, or forestry policy in Cambodia. A good understanding of the international context regarding forests and major environmental instruments is essential. Candidates must also demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as forestry, agriculture policy, tenure, or economics. It is important that the educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in relevant fields is required. This experience should include work related to environmental policy, agriculture-forestry nexus, natural resources management, or forestry policy specifically within the context of Cambodia. Candidates should have demonstrated capacities to draft reports and possess a good understanding of the institutional frameworks governing land-use decisions and commodity production.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Khmer, the national language of Cambodia, is also essential as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and government entities. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position may involve full-time engagement, and the appointment will be subject to security clearances. For further employment opportunities, candidates are encouraged to visit the FAO employment website.