Forestry and Natural Resources Experts for GEF projects

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-Regional office for West Africa (SFW) responsible for developing, promoting and implementing FAO agreed strategies to help countries and sub-regional organizations address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities in West Africa. The Office has a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, land and water, and pastoralism, who provide technical support to the 15 member countries of ECOWAS in their fight against poverty and the promotion of food and nutritional security; as well as to a wider 17 member countries of the Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) in strengthening the resilience of the Sahel countries.

There is growing international recognition that the agricultural sectors (including crops, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture and livestock) play a central role in responding to climate change, as these sectors are among the foremost priorities in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by African countries under the UNFCCC. In this regard, SFW Strategy has as one of its priority areas “Sustainable Management of the Environment and Natural Resources (SMENR)” that intends to support countries address issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, the preservation of biodiversity, and the collection, management and sharing on the environment and natural resources data in the sub-region.

SFW is increasingly receiving requests from countries in West Africa for providing technical support in the development of concept notes and project proposals to key environmental donors (GFF and GEF and Adaptation Fund) as well as their implementation. As an accredited agency to the GEF, GCF and Adaptation Fund, FAO intends to expand its portfolio to assist countries in fulfilling their ambitions on climate action, notably, with UNFCCC, as well as the NDCs in the Paris Agreement.

GEF will shortly be the main donors of countries in the West Africa Sub-Region, in terms of climate actions. The portfolio of SFW comprises more than 60 projects funded by GEF. To succeed in the engagement with countries and the Secretariat of GEF, the FAO intends to strengthen its climate team at SFW

FAO Climate Team and Call purpose 
The purpose of this call is to provide FAO’s Sub-Regional Office for West Africa and its country offices with three (03) qualified forestry and natural resources experts to be part of multidisciplinary climate team, to enhance FAO’s support to the design and implementation of climate related projects in the sub-region, with a particular focus on GEF.

The recruited forestry and natural resources experts will be based at SFW office (Dakar, Senegal), required travel for field missions in respective countries of intervention and where relevant:
•    Forestry and Natural Resources Expert-Zone 1: Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Mali, Niger and Senegal
•    Forestry and Natural Resources Expert-Zone 2: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Togo
•    Forestry and Natural Resources Expert-Zone 3: The Gambie, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria

Reporting Lines

The forestry and natural resources expert will work under the overall supervision of the Senior Policy Officer at SFW and the technical supervision of the Forestry Officer at SFW, and in close collaboration projects implementation teams at country level

Technical Focus 

Contribute to design and implementation of GEF projects by supporting SFW in the provision of technical support to the countries offices in the formulation and development of project proposals, with focus on forestry, climate change, and natural resources management.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Research and analyse technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of GEF projects, products and services;
•    At the request of countries, and in collaboration with the climate team at SFW, provide technical support in the formulation of GEF (PIFs & PPG) projects in areas of forestry, biodiversity, climate change and land degradation;
•    Provide technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to GEF field projects;
•    Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;
•    Participate on multi-disciplinary teams, on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;
•    Contribute to the collection and promotion of knowledge sharing and best practices and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;
•    Undertake field trip to supervise the projects implementation and technically support the project management unit;
•    Ensure the 1st technical review of projects documents and follow up to have the relevant officers/consultants clearance before returning the documents to the project management unit;
•    Support resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy;
•    Perform other relevant duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University (Master) degree in forestry, [environmental or agricultural sciences, natural resource management, economics or a related field as appropriate for the specific profile. A university degree combined with 2 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in forestry, natural resources management, climate change and REDD processes in developing countries
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English and French

FAO Core 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 in West Africa is desirable;
•    Experience and knowledge in forestry, climate change and natural resources management issues;
•    Experience in the overall global climate change processes and negotiations;
•    Experience in advising and providing technical guidance on the implementation of forestry related climate change projects in West Africa;
•    Experience in formulation or implementation of projects in sub-Saharan Africa, especially for GEF, GCF and other climate finance donor agencies.
•    Experience in resource mobilisation, preferably in the areas of forestry, sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
•    Experience in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects linked to forestry, natural resources management, biodiversity conservation and climate change. Doing that within the UN System is a plus;
•    Experience working with other UN agencies, RECs and FAO country Offices in project implementation

Selection Criteria 

•    Relevant experience in the design, formulation or evaluation of substantial agricultural and rural development projects and programmes with a focus on climate change. Experience on GCF, GEF or Investment Financing Institutions (IFI) is an advantage.
•    Experience working in/with the countries of the sub-region is an advantage.