National Forestry Expert
Freetown
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Freetown
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Closing Date: 2025-11-05
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.
Reporting Lines
The National Forestry Expert will carry out the below assignment under direct supervision from the FAOR and the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA).
Technical Focus
The National Forestry Expert will be responsible for the support of data upload, creation of data control results and reports, support to field task activities and the needs of field teams together with the National Project Coordinator (NPC), coordination of vehicle needs during field activities among several other activities. The National Forestry Expert will also help to ensure that all project personnel maintain a high level of transparency, responsibility, and accountability in M&E and in reporting project results. Liaise with the CTA on all aspects of project coordination and implementation including but not limited to\:
Tasks and responsibilities
• In close collaboration with NPC, support coordination of planning, implementation of activities to ensure efficient provision of both administrative and technical support services.
• Support field teams with data upload and provide technical support to solve any setback during NFI data collection activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of forest policy and planning processes, including Providing technical support and advice on the use of NFI data to inform, policy development and monitoring, facilitating stakeholder consultations and engagement to ensure the NFI system meets the needs of stakeholders.
• Participating in relevant technical working groups and committees related to forest management and monitoring.
• Support to develop project field work plans and identify risks that may affect field results and apply corresponding mitigation strategies.
• Support on briefs and updates reports related to NFI activities as required by FAO, EU and the government.
• Prepare reports with the results of the comparison of field data and quality control data of the NFI following the protocol developed by the CTA.
• Contribute to the identification of materials and training needs for the project and work closely with FAO Sierra Leone Procurement Officer to ensure timely procurement.
• Support the preparation of National Forest Information Systems and the dissemination of NFI results in partner countries.
• Coordinate with relevant national stakeholders, in particular FAO, to ensure maximum delivery and participation in project activities.
• Always adhere to FAO’s rules and standards of behaviour.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Development or any other related disciplines.
• 5 years’ working experience in forestry projects with management and technical related activities.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• Working knowledge (level C) of Krio
• National of Sierra Leone
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/ Functional Skills
• Ability to supervise, manage and support to field activities of the project.
• Ability to manage trainings and capacity building programme of the project.
• Relevant experience/ exposure, skills and knowledge in results-based approach/management.
• Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
• Different types of report writing skills.
• Computer skill (Microsoft office, Photoshop).
• Good report writing skills.
• Experience with the UN agencies in similar position is added advantage.
Selection criteria
• Thorough knowledge of national institutions, and their mandates
• Previous working experience with UN or International Organizations will be an added advantage.
• A master’s degree in Forest Management is an added advantage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.