Organizational Setting

FAO has a representation office in Armenia accredited with the Government of Armenia and responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the country programme as well in close consultation with the respective technical support from the Regional Office or Headquarter units. The FAOR also monitors the policy developments in the Armenia related to the agrifood system sector in close collaboration with the other national and international stakeholders including the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).

A project funded by the Green Climate Fund “Forest resilience in Armenia enhancing the adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation” has been approved and started in December 2021.

The FAO representation office in Armenia (FAO Armenia) and the Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) are the Executing Entities (EEs) of the project. FAO will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project and also supervise the work of the EPIU of the Ministry of Environment of Armenia. The project is co-financed by the Government of Armenia, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Autonomous Province of Bolzano, WWF Armenia and FAO.

The position is based in FAO office in Yerevan, with local travel to the project sites (Lori and Syunik Marzes) and other areas relevant to the project.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Specialist works under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Armenia, and the technical guidance and technical supervision of the GCP/ARM/008/GCF project Lead Technical Officer in close cooperation with Project Team.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for smooth technical implementation and execution of activities in the target project areas of Lori and Syunik in relation to forest restoration interventions (component 1) as well as to creating the enabling conditions to execute the Forest Code (2005) and enhancing the capacity of rural communities to engage in forest governance (component 3). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the co-Executing and project beneficiaries.

The National Senior Forest Specialist provides technical guidance and supervision activities within the framework of GCF Armenia project.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical guidance for the implementation of specific project activities under component 1 and 3 of the GCP/ARM/008/GCF project (https://www.greenclimate.fund/project/sap014 ), in particular on nursery production as well as restoration activities;
•    Assist in the technical supervision of specific project activities in the field under component 1 and 3 to deliver high quality technical outputs with in-depth understanding of the Armenian context;
•    Assist in the evaluation of and decision-making on the areas suggested by the Ministry of Environment or by communities for forestry investments;
•    Assist project team to draft terms of reference (TOR) for both international and national technical affiliate personnel to be hired under component 1 and/or 3;
•    Advise on the selection of national affiliate personnel and Service Providers for implementation of specific project activities under component 1 and 3;
•    Assist technical consultants both national and international during backstopping and supervision missions as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in natural resource management or related fields;
•    At least 10 years of relevant experience in forestry including nursery production, advanced forest restoration techniques and climate-adaptive silvicultural practices;
•    Working knowledge of English and Armenian;
•    National of Armenia or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience with methods and techniques in relation to forest and landscape restoration;
•    Demonstrated ability to adopt new ideas;
•    Demonstrated commitment to participatory and bottom-up approaches;
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate, including advocating to government agencies;

Selection Criteria 

•    Deep understanding of Armenia’s governmental and institutional frameworks for forest management and governance particularly after the reforms undertaken in 2023-2024;
•    Experience in working with international projects will be an asset;
•    Working knowledge of Russian language will be an advantage.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements