Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme Specialist

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 countries, 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 and ecosystem services.

The post is in the programme coordination unit of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme in the FAO Forestry Division. The SWM Programme aims to reduce hunting of wildlife to sustainable levels, protect endangered wildlife species, conserve biodiversity, reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases and secure ecosystems services (i.e., food) to Indigenous People and rural communities. The SWM Programme is funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment and the French Development Agency.

The SWM Programme is led by FAO and works through a consortium of partners, which includes the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The initiative is implementing projects in sixteen countries, namely: Botswana, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Guyana, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The SWM Programme directly contributes to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and supports governments in their work to 
achieve many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption 
and Production, and SDG 15 on Life on Land.

Within the above context, the SWM Programme is seeking the support of consultants and subscribers to support the implementation of project activities.

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will report to the SWM Programme Coordinator, Food Nutrition and Wildlife Team Leader, with direct supervision from the relevant technical officers in the SWM Programme Management Unit (PMU), including at field level if applicable.

Technical Focus

The assignments will support the SWM Programme Coordination Unit in the implementation of the programme activities at
global and site levels. The main areas are :

•    Programme and project development and management.
•    Institutional and legal frameworks relating to sustainable wildlife management.
•    Sustainable wildlife and natural resources management.
•    Development of alternative sources of proteins and income for rural communities.
•    Sustainable consumption of wildmeat.
•    Social Safeguards.
•    Policy advice and governance.
•    One Health and zoonotic diseases. 
•    Information and knowledge management.
•    Outreach and advocacy.
•    Monitoring, evaluation and learning

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide advice and support to the SWM Programme Coordination Unit and site teams in his/her area of technical expertise. 
•    Support the preparation of guidelines, practical tools, innovative approaches and and/or policy proposals in his/her area of specialisation to promote effective sustainable wildlife and natural resources management.
•    Design and/or support data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities in the nineteen participating SWM Programme sites.
•    Liaise with relevant FAO units, SWM Programme partners and/or other organizations to obtain guidance and comments on specific elements.
•    Contribute to the coordination, implementation/delivery and administration of assigned programmes/activities in accordance with FAO and donor rules, procedures and systems.
•    As applicable, support the organization and/or participate directly in missions and other events in support of the delivery of the SWM Programme, including data collection, documentation, logistical coordination, follow-up reporting, training, capacity building and technical assistance to site teams.
•    Contribute to SWM Programme communication and outreach materials.
•    Perform any other duties that relate to his/her area of technical expertise.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forest resources management, wildlife management, environmental sciences, administrative/financial management, information management, international studies, law or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least five years’ relevant experience for Category B consultants, and at least ten years relevant experience for Category A consultants on issues related to programme support activities and management, forest resources management, and/or wildlife management.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English is required. Intermediate knowledge (- level B) of French is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Extent and relevance of technical work experience in one or more of the main areas of SWM Programme’s work.
•    Familiarity with FAO policies and procedures would be an asset.
•    Excellent communication skills.
•    Knowledge management experience, especially related to sustainable wildlife management, may be considered an asset

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO [link removed] 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

• 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/ [link removed]. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings [link removed]. 

• 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 [link removed]

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