Forestry Officer (Forest Fire Management)

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

The Forestry Division leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including contributions of forests and trees to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. Staff of the Division liaise with member countries, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthening the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

The post is located in the Climate Change and Resilience Team of the Forestry Division.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Officer reports to Senior Forestry Officer, Team Leader of the Climate Change and Resilience Team. S/he will work closely with members of the team and Division, the Decentralized Offices, other relevant FAO units and international forestry experts

Technical Focus

Forest Fire Prevention and Management and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions

Researches and analyzes technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services
Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases.
Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions

Provides comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Forestry Division programmes, projects, products and services that have fire management relevance or elements in accordance with Forestry Division objectives, the FAO Strategic Framework and Priority Programme Areas (BE1 ' Climate; BE2 ' Bioeconomy, BE3 ' Ecosystems, BL4 ' Emergencies, BL5 ' Resilience).
Designs, plans and implements normative activities in forest fire risk reduction and management, and develops guidelines, best practices and training materials, including in respect of traditional, cultural and community-based fire management.
Promotes and advises member countries on policies, strategies and methods of forest fire risk reduction and management in the context of FAO's Strategic Framework on resilience of livelihoods to disasters and crises, with a view to facilitating the contribution of forests and trees to improved livelihoods, rural development and food security.
Supports and promotes global cooperation on forest fire risk reduction and management, collects and advocates best practices, and promote policy dialogue with global partners (e.g. UNDRR, UNECE).
Plans, designs and implements programmes and activities in member countries for forest fire management, including project formulation, resource mobilization, and technical backstopping.
Coordinates with and provides technical support to all relevant technical Divisions and the core team of FAO's Office of Emergencies and Resilience on increasing the resilience of livelihoods from disasters, to plan and implement activities related to forest fire risk reduction and management, including in the context of rangelands management, climate smart agriculture and conservation agriculture.
Contributes to FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment on fire-related aspects, as requested.
Supports existing FAO fire management networks (North America, Near East and North Africa, Silva Mediterranea Working Group 1- Forest Fires), along with tropical forest fire initiatives in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and represents FAO in external networks (Expert Group on Forest Fires of the EU, International Wildland Fire Conference Liaison Committee).
Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in forestry or other field related to forest fire management.
Five years of relevant experience in fire management, forest resources management and conservation, including in developing countries and/or countries in transition.
Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
Extent of knowledge of forest fire risk reduction and management in diverse forest types and ecosystems
Extent and relevance of experience in analysing technical and institutional/governance aspects and providing policy advice on forest fire risk reduction and management
Extent and relevance of experience in fire and disaster risk reduction, including community-based approaches
Extent and relevance of experience with remote sensing and GIS technology, or relevant global databases, for fire management
Extent of exposure/experience on wider aspects of disaster risk reduction
Ability to mobilize resources.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: Rome (Italy)
Grade: P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Fire Safety, Fire Protection and Firefighting
Closing Date: 2021-09-20