Location: Home-Based
Duration: 60 days within 6 months
Deadline: 12 Jun 2025, 11:59:00 PM
Job Description
- 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
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency that leads international efforts to eliminate hunger, ensure food security, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. As a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Implementing Agency, FAO supports countries design and implement projects that deliver global environmental benefits in the areas of climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and forest management, and restoration of degraded ecosystems.
In Uzbekistan and across Central Asia, FAO is a long-standing partner supporting national efforts to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, improve land use practices, and enhance rural livelihoods. This GEF-funded project is part of a broader regional effort to strengthen sustainable forest management as a means to contribute to climate change mitigation, land degradation neutrality, and biodiversity protection. It is closely aligned with Uzbekistan’s national development priorities, including its commitments under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its targets related to increasing forest cover, restoring degraded lands, and improving community-based resource management. Through this project, FAO is supporting Uzbekistan in developing institutional capacity, advancing forest monitoring systems, and piloting multifunctional forest management practices that can be scaled up nationwide and shared across the region.
Reporting Lines
The Forestry Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub regional Coordinator, in close collaboration with the FAO Uzbekistan Country Office and under the operational guidance of the project team. The consultant will report directly to the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), who is responsible for the technical quality and coherence of the project.
The consultant will coordinate closely with the national implementing partner, the Forest Agency of Uzbekistan, as well as with other relevant national and international stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project objectives, FAO standards, and GEF requirements. All deliverables and mission reports will be submitted to the LTO for review and approval.
Technical Focus
The Forestry Consultant will provide high-level technical guidance and advisory support on sustainable forest management (SFM), forest inventory and monitoring systems and landscape restoration. The consultant will focus on strengthening the scientific and technical basis for multifunctional forest management, including afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, and shelterbelt development tailored to Uzbekistan’s diverse ecological zones. A core area of technical focus will be the supporting the development of technically sound forest management plans in pilot areas. The consultant will also contribute to building institutional capacity, enhancing policy and legal frameworks for SFM, and supporting the development of follow-up project proposal for replication and upscaling within Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asia region.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Forestry Consultant will provide technical and advisory support aligned with GEF project design, expected results, and FAO implementation standards. Specific tasks and responsibilities include:
• Provide technical support in the finalization of forest and landscape inventory in the pilot sites,
• Advise on indicators for forest and landscape inventory,
• Provide guidance for SFM plan development at four demonstration sites,
• Advise on participatory planning with local stakeholders, including gender-responsive approaches and community engagement strategies,
• Provide inputs for the development of practical guidelines and extension materials to support SFM practices nationwide,
• Contribute to the development of a follow-up project proposal in line with GEF requirements.
• Preparation of draft technical specifications for necessary equipment and procurement.
• Support preparation of the terminal report of the project.
• Perform other related tasks and duty travel as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree (MSc) in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, or related discipline. A university degree combined with 2 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in forestry and/or natural resource management, including at least three (3) years specifically focused on project development, as well as programme and project-based implementation and coordination within the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (FAOSEC) region
• Full proficiency in English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in sustainable forest management (SFM), forest landscape restoration, and multifunctional forest planning approaches.
• Familiarity with agroforestry, shelterbelt systems, and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Ability to analyze and advise on forestry-related policies, legal frameworks, and institutional arrangements to support enabling conditions for SFM.
• Experience in participatory planning processes and community-based natural resource management, with attention to gender and social inclusion.
• Skills in producing technical reports, guidelines, and policy briefs tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in donor-supported projects, particularly in forestry or natural resource management sectors.
• Experience in FAO and GEF procedures, project cycle management as well as project development and reporting requirements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and capacity-building skills, including technical backstopping to national teams.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, including coordination with national institutions and stakeholders.
Selection Criteria
• Excellent communication, report writing, and training skills in English;
• Knowledge of Russian is 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
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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.
