Biodiversity Specialist
Organizational Context
The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities in food security, agriculture, and rural development. It identifies, plans, and implements priority activities, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach and developing strategic responses in collaboration with headquarters. RAP also advises on incorporating regional priorities into the Programme of Work and Budget, implements approved programmes, and monitors progress. The Forestry and Biodiversity Team within RAP supports member nations in sustainable forest management by assisting with field project formulation and implementation, funded by donors like GEF and GCF. Current priorities include halting deforestation, forest restoration, and biodiversity conservation.
Job Purpose
The Consultant will provide crucial analytical support, technical assistance, and project delivery focused on biodiversity across the Asia and Pacific region. This role involves contributing to the mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations within agrifood systems and forestry sectors. The Consultant will play a key part in forest biodiversity conservation efforts, promoting sustainable forest management practices, and actively participating in the formulation and implementation of vital biodiversity and forestry projects. These projects will be supported by both FAO and various development partners, aiming to enhance regional biodiversity outcomes and sustainable resource management.
Responsibilities
Conduct analytical work on biodiversity mainstreaming across agrifood systems and forestry sectors in Asia and the Pacific, including reviews of policies, strategies, investments, and country commitments related to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and relevant FAO strategies. Support regional and national assessments of biodiversity and forestry priorities, analyzing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), forestry policies, institutional frameworks, and implementation gaps, and preparing technical reports and knowledge products. Compile, analyze, and maintain information on FAO tools, methodologies, case studies, and good practices related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and biodiversity mainstreaming. Support resource mobilization and concept development for biodiversity projects, including baseline assessments, stakeholder analyses, theory of change, results frameworks, project documentation, and resource mobilization materials. Provide technical support to ongoing biodiversity and forestry projects, including work planning, monitoring, reporting, coordination with partners, organizing technical meetings and workshops, and follow-up on actions. Contribute to the development of technical publications, policy briefs, communication materials, and knowledge products on regional biodiversity and forestry issues. Support the organization of regional and national consultations, capacity development activities, knowledge exchange events, and technical dialogues. Compile and synthesize information on regional biodiversity initiatives, projects, and partnerships to support programme development and reporting. Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of biodiversity and forestry programmes and projects, including collecting and analyzing project results, indicators, and lessons learned. Perform other duties as required, including support to FAO internal and official meetings.
Work Experience
A minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience in biodiversity, natural resources management, or sustainable agriculture is required. This experience should complement the educational qualifications.
Skills
Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. Proficiency in English is essential. Knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian) is considered desirable.