National Forest Inventory Expert

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), via its Technical Cooperation Programme with Saudi Arabia, supports the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC). This support is crucial for implementing the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (SRAD) and related initiatives, particularly Component 9, which strengthens national capacities in sustainable rangeland, forest, and natural resource management. FAO aids in developing knowledge, monitoring systems, and technical tools for better planning and decision-making, including the first comprehensive National Forest Inventory (NFI) of Saudi Arabia.

Job Purpose

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) Expert will provide essential technical support for the completion and dissemination of Saudi Arabia's National Forest Inventory. This role involves leading the review, validation, analysis, and interpretation of NFI data. The expert will contribute to finalizing key reports, including the NFI Database Report, Methodology Report, and National Results Report. Additionally, the position supports the preparation and validation of complementary technical outputs such as NFI indicators, maps, figures, and knowledge products, and will assist in organizing workshops for NFI results validation and dissemination.

Responsibilities

The National Forest Inventory Expert will be responsible for reviewing and finalizing the cleaned and validated National Forest Inventory database, ensuring data consistency for final reporting. This includes leading the technical analysis and interpretation of NFI results to prepare key indicators on forest area, cover, species composition, regeneration, biomass, carbon stock, biodiversity, and health. The expert will draft the NFI Database Report, Methodology Report (detailing sampling design, field protocols, quality assurance, and analytical approaches), and the National Results Report for Saudi Arabia, incorporating statistical analysis, findings, maps, charts, and annexes. Collaboration with the FAO geospatial team for map and figure validation is required. The role also involves preparing technical presentations and communication materials, designing and delivering a National Workshop on NFI Results validation and dissemination, providing technical advice during meetings, and supporting knowledge transfer of methodologies, databases, and tools to NCVC and FAO teams.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is required in forest inventory design, implementation, analysis, reporting, and forest resource assessment. Experience with forest inventory databases, quality assurance/control procedures, statistical analysis, and sampling methodologies is essential. Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis tools is also necessary.

Skills

Key skills include demonstrated experience in National Forest Inventory implementation and reporting, forest inventory databases, quality assurance/control, forest statistics, sampling methodologies, and data analysis. Proficiency with GIS and spatial analysis tools is required. Experience in capacity development, training delivery, and stakeholder engagement is important. Familiarity with forest biomass and carbon estimation, forest health assessment, and biodiversity indicators is beneficial. Previous experience with FAO, governmental institutions, or international organizations is desirable. A working knowledge of English is essential.

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