Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GCF- funded project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands (CS-FOR)” (GCP/KYR/020/GCF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. The objective is to increase carbon sequestration through supporting climate investments in forests and rangelands and through reducing drivers of degradation and emissions via institutional support, participatory ecosystem-based sustainable management of natural resources and green growth investments. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to contribute to the development of a low carbon-emission and climate-resilient economy, while capitalizing important co-benefits from adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

The Forestry Specialist provides support to the project under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the International Forestry Specialist and CTA, under the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and operational leadership of the National Project Coordinator and close cooperation with the relevant project teams and Operational Partners of the project.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall and direct supervision of the FAOR and the operational and technical guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative, Lead Technical Officer and International Technical Advisor.
The incumbent will report to FAOR on all the project’s substantive and administrative issues. The incumbent will be responsible for meeting Operational Partners (OP) obligations under the Operational Partners Agreement (OPA) and will perform a liaison role with the Government, FAO, OP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and other project partners.

Technical Focus

Natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, economics, value chains development, project coordination, managerial skills.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Supervise and coordinate effectively/efficiently the project activities to ensure its results are in accordance with the logical frame, annual and quarterly workplans and budget (AWP/B), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E Plan), Risk Mitigation Plan, Co-financing plan.
•    Day-to-day management of the project in line with the Annual Workplan and Budget.
•    Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback between the partners of the project, stakeholder engagement and effective communication/coordination with local authorities
•    Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan, justification of budget revision if and when required.
•    Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events.
•    In direct consultation with the International Technical Advisor (ITA), develop and/or review Terms of Reference of affiliate workforce and ensure compliance with current standards and regulations.
•    In direct consultation with the International Technical Advisor (ITA), prepare and submit terms of references for service contracts and LoAs. 
•    In consultation with the ITA and LTO, guide the work of national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan and ToRs.
•    Maintain regular contacts with FAO Country Office and the Operational Partners on project implementation issues of their respective competence, prepare and submit reports on project status and project implementation strategy at the request of the BH.
•    Monitor the expenditure, commitments, and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and support the preparation of project budget revisions and reports.
•    Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds, and related record keeping.
•    Prepare the annual project Work Plan and Budget, including analysis and reporting.
•    Prepare and/or review HR, finance and procurement plans and documents for submission to Budget Holder.
•    Arrange and provide required technical and project management and other capacity building training to Operational Partners (OP) for FAO environmental/climate finance projects under OPIM or AWP/B.
•    Provide operational and technical guidance as necessary for project implementation.
•    Conduct supervision and oversight missions at least twice a year including regular briefing to the OPA Authorized Officer at NDA (National Designated Authority) as well as other OP Authorized Officers on project progress.
•    Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms.
•    Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the Project Results Framework.
•    Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by FAO, GCF or OP.
•    Act as a Secretary of the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) and invite for meetings on behalf of the National Project Director as stated in the Terms of Reference of NPSC.
•    Coordinate development of Mid-Year Progress Report, Annual Performance Report and progress reports in consultation with ME specialist. 
•    Assure technical coordination among consultants to be hired.
•    Prepare Project Progress Reports for the Ministry of Economy of the KYR on a quarterly basis, for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the KYR including other key project actors upon request. 
•    Ensure all the donor's requirements are met, conditions are fulfilled for project implementation, and essential documents are developed and submitted to GCF on time.
•    Accompany/coordinate the FAOR, LTO, CTA, Monitoring, GCF missions to project sites.
•    Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Forestry, Agriculture, International Development, Environment, Social Sciences, Public Administration or related field is required.
•    Minimum 5years of progressively responsible experience in climate change-related projects involving the coordination of complex development programmes with multiple stakeholders, consultants, partners and donors. 
•    Working knowledge in English. 
•    National of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Russian and Kyrgyz are an asset.
•    Strong ability to organize and facilitate workshops, working groups, high-level meetings, and consultations involving government institutions, UN agencies, civil society, private sector actors, and community representatives; 
•    Experience collaborating with public institutions, including ministries and government agencies, as well as producing high-quality analytical and strategic reports (e.g., mission reports, donor briefs, concept notes, and policy documents).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION