Technical Advisor (Forestry)
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The FAO Representation in Cambodia assists the government in developing policies and programs to enhance food security, reduce hunger, and promote sustainable management of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry resources. FAO leads the "Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor)" project, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment, aiming to promote sustainable forest management, build resilience, and improve livelihoods.
Job Purpose
The Technical Advisor (Forestry) is responsible for the planning and implementation of all project activities under the "Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor)" project in Cambodia. This includes developing an improved framework for targets and indicators, liaising effectively with all stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, and fostering collaboration and synergies with relevant initiatives and project partners. The role is crucial for the successful execution of the project's objectives, contributing to sustainable forest management and community resilience.
Responsibilities
The Technical Advisor (Forestry) will lead and supervise overall project planning and implementation, ensuring technical coherence and compliance with FAO procedures and partner requirements. Responsibilities include liaising with consortium partners, leading recruitment processes for experts, and supervising project personnel. The role involves close coordination with government ministries (MAFF and MoE), ensuring technical quality assurance for project outputs in areas like regulatory frameworks, sustainable financing, and capacity development. The advisor will support the establishment of a robust M&E system, foster working relations with national agencies, monitor risk mitigation plans, and support the organization of Project Steering Committee meetings. Additionally, the role requires representing the project, maintaining up-to-date technical knowledge, ensuring project visibility, conducting duty travel, supporting evaluations, and preparing progress and financial reports.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in a relevant field, specifically with excellent working knowledge of issues related to social forestry, biodiversity, landscape management, and restoration. Experience in project management and M&E within natural resource management and conservation is highly desirable. Experience in project management related to forestry and climate change, and with community development initiatives is also beneficial.
Skills
Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. The role requires systemic and analytical capacity on complex forestry, climate change, and natural resource management issues. Experience with forestry products, participatory approaches, UNFCCC frameworks, and community development linkages is important. Proven ability to coordinate and lead discussions with senior government officials and project partners, along with strong analytical, presentation, and training skills, is necessary. Proficiency in MS Office applications and the ability to work independently under pressure are also required.