Vacancy in FAO: Forestry Expert

The Forestry Expert will report to the NPM for all of the project’s substantive and administrative issues.

Provide professional input for the improvement of the legal and institutional framework in forestry for integrating SFM principles and practices into national and local level land use plans.

• Provide professional input for the strengthening of forest law enforcement through the development of mechanisms for inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral collaboration related to integrated management of land resources and assessment of ecosystem services.
• Supervise and coordinate all project activities to improve multifunctional management of existing forests,  rehabilitation and afforestation of degraded forests within the pilot areas through successfully demonstrated innovative technologies and practices.
• Supervise and coordinate all project activities of tree plantations and support to up-scaling of viable and sustainable planting practices through testing of at least one Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme.
• Supervise the establishment of a carbon monitoring system based on field sampling of forests and various dryland land use systems.
• Supervise the development of a carbon monitoring system and database at national level under the auspices of SAEPF, including development of cartographic material and creation of a GIS on carbon benefits in the LULUCF sectors.
• Provide technical guidance and co-ordination for sustainable forest management criteria & indicators, LULUCF and REDD+ activities, integration into forest and land management plans and carbon monitoring.
• Provide technical advice for project activities for increasing the understanding and awareness on roles of SFM/SLM and LULUCF in carbon sequestration and GHG balance.
• Together with the NPM maintain regular contact with the National Forest Authority, local Leskhoz and other partner on project implementation issues of their respective competence.
• Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan in the field of forestry and carbon sequestration.
• Supervise and coordinate all activities in order to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established by FAO.
• Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan, if required
• Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by FAO or the National Project Manager

• A university degree in Forestry or Environmental Sciences or related fields;
• At least 8 years of experience in forest management or forest project management including forest monitoring, forest inventory and forest resource assessment;
• At least 5 years of experience with projects concerning Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF).
• Strong knowledge of sustainable forest management issues in Kyrgyzstan, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts, and forest policy.
• Strong knowledge and experience on regional and international forestry strategies, programmes and implementations
• Strong knowledge about monitoring of Carbon sequestration in forests.
• Working experience with ministries, national institutions and forestry sector on national and local level in Kyrgyzstan;
• Ability to effectively coordinate large-scale project activities involving stakeholders on various levels;
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
• Excellent writing and communication skills in Russian and Kyrgyz. English is an asset.