Programme Officer (Global Fire Management Hub)

Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Forestry Division leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with Member Nations, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

The Forestry Division also hosts the Secretariat of the Global Fire Management Hub (Fire Hub), which brings together key partners to strengthen countries' capacities for integrated fire management with the major impact of reducing the many negative effects of wildfires on people, landscapes, biodiversity and global climate stability.

The position is located in the Forests and Climate Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer (Global Fire Management Hub) reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader of Forests and Climate in the Forestry Division (NFO) and collaborates closely with colleagues in FAO headquarters and Decentralized Offices working on integrated fire management.

Technical Focus

The Programme Officer (Global Fire Management Hub) provides support to the Global Fire Management Hub Secretariat and related projects and initiatives on integrated fire management.

Key ResultsDevelop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.

Key Functions

• Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities; collects, analyses and presents statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging development issues and trends, participation in impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Participates in survey initiatives; supports data collection, reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.
• Monitors activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents/reports (work programme, programme budget.), as necessary.

Specific Functions

• Supports the preparation, monitoring and updating of the Fire Hub Secretariat's annual workplans, and day-to-day implementation of activities.
• Ensures the Logical Framework Matrix for the Fire Hub is complete and up-to-date, and that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of project results.
• Ensures that project reports for the Fire Hub are prepared and submitted.
• Supports the organization, convening and reporting on regular meetings of the Fire Hub Steering Group and the biennial Fire Hub Plenary meetings.
• Enhances the collaborative nature of the Fire Hub through maintaining positive working relations with stakeholders.
• Works with technical and operations colleagues in NFO and Decentralized Offices to plan, design and implement projects and programmes on integrated fire management.
• Supports the Budget Holder in project management functions for trust funds related to the Fire Hub portfolio, in close coordination with the operations colleagues.
• Supports resource mobilization activities for the Fire Hub.
• Supports communications and visibility for the Fire Hub.
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resource management, business administration or public administration, economics, social science or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, finance and management, including in the context of large bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
• Extent of experience in building relationships with partners.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge of work on integrated fire management is considered an asset.