Forest Partnership and VPA FLEGT Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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

Organizational Setting

This position with the EU funded Forest Governance and Value Chains Programme is home-based with support from the FAO Representation in Guyana.

The EU Forest Governance and Value Chains Programme (FGVC) implemented by FAO's Forestry Division (NFO) supports the implementation of Forest Partnerships (FP) between the European Union and Partner Countries. Forest Partnerships are a new and key instrument of the European Union's Action to promote sustainable forest management and value chains. They are based on a holistic and integrated approach to forests, reflecting a high-level commitment to enhancing the role of forests in sustainable and inclusive national development whilst improving sector law enforcement, governance and trade. Forest Partnerships promote innovative investment and finance models to create efficient, pragmatic and impactful links between government, industry and forest communities. EU and Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Forest Partnership in November at UNFCCC21 (COP27).
A roadmap for implementation of the FP was endorsed by both parties in June .

The EU Forest Governance and Value Chains Programme support to Forest Partnerships revolves around two pillars:

• improving governance for sustainable forest management, forest protection and restoration, and plantation development; and

• developing legal and sustainable forest-based value chains.

Complementary to the Forest Partnership and crucial to the first FGVC pillar is the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT VPAs) in signatory countries. In Guyana, the VPA was initialed in , signed in December at UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) and entered into force in June . The process of VPA implementation is guided by a Joint Implementation Framework (JIF). Daily coordination is provided by the VPA-FLEGT Secretariat within the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), oversight is provided by a Government Coordination Body, while JIF implementation is coordinated by a National Implementation Working Group, which also ensures broad stakeholder consultation. Twice per year a Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC) is established between the Parties (Guyana, EU) at technical and political level, to monitor implementation of the VPA.

The role of the Forest Partnership and VPA FLEGT Specialist is to serve as a catalyst, partnership broker and builder of opportunities towards the achievement of the FP objectives and guidance to VPA activities towards achieving FLEGT licencing.

Reporting Lines

The Forest Partnership and VPA FLEGT Specialist shall work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Guyana, and day-to-day supporting guidance provided by the FAO Programme Manager of the Forest Governance and Value Chains Programme (FGVC) based in Rome, and the FAO International Forest Governance Consultant for Latin America and the Caribbean. The National Coordinator/ Facilitator will consult, work in very close collaboration and provide neutral support to the parties to the FP and VPA, including the Government FP and VPA Focal Points, the EU Delegation to Guyana and European Commission DG INTPA Unit F2.
To ensure coordination, the Forest Partnership and VPA FLEGT Specialist shall:

• Attend in-person team, programme and other meetings at the FAO office in LBI at least twice per month, as scheduled;

• Participate in regular, technical and thematic working group meetings for the purpose of coordination, knowledge sharing and other relevant objectives;

Technical Focus

Forest Partnership (FP) coordination, in support of the National FP Focal Point, the EU Delegation to Guyana, DG INTPA Unit F2, the Political and Technical Working Groups, including relevant institutions and stakeholders, in collaboration with other technical assistance, such as the Forest for the Future Facility, and,

the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) facilitation, in support of the National FLEGT Secretariat, the EU Delegation to Guyana, DG INTPA Unit F2, the VPA Joint Monitoring and Review Committee, including relevant institutions and stakeholders, in collaboration with other technical assistance, such as the Africa and Latin America (ALA) VPA Facility.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under Forest Partnership (50%)

• Build close relationships with and, among the FP Parties (Guyana, EU), Technical Working Group members, implementing actors and involved/affected stakeholders to enable an effective, inclusive and transparent working environment;

• Provide support to the Working group as needed and requested;

• Support and service the organisation and preparation of working group meetings (producing agendas, taking minutes, ensuring logistical and technical support, support the flow and safe custody of documents, facilitate discussions);

• Assist the development of funding proposals and investment opportunities for implementation of roadmap actions;

• Support the development of a monitoring tool for the implementation of the FP and its roadmap;

• Undertake duty travel within Guyana as necessary to monitor and support the implementation of FP roadmap field activities;

• Prepare comprehensive reports on implementation progress;

• Coordinate the development of outreach products for national and/or international audiences in collaboration with the Forest for the Future Facility (F4F);

• Contribute to Forest Partnership annual reporting and make sure this is aligned with the VPA annual reporting.

• With a view to enhance overall coordination of the various forestry related programmes in Guyana, liaise and assist government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the area of forestry, as well as other FAO's activities in the country and with other UN agencies.

• Facilitate the identification and delivery of support provided by the Forest for the Future Facility (F4F).

• Performs other related duties as required.

Under Forest Governance and Value Chain Programme (10%)

• In line with the FP Roadmap, and in close consultation with the FP's national Technical Working Group (TWG): Participate in the identification, formulation and preparation of projects under the FGVC (implemented by Letters of Agreement), and support the monitoring of project implementation; identify inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;

• Assist with technical review of reports and deliverables submitted by FGVC service providers and grantees, as well as relevant assessments conducted by FGVC partners;

• Contribute to the identification and development of synergies between the FGVC and other relevant forestry projects being implemented at the country level

Under VPA FLEGT (40%)

• In coordination with the FLEGT Secretariat, ensure that the JIF is up to date, with formal endorsements.

• In coordination with the FLEGT Secretariat, ensure the preparation of annual work plans and budgets for JIF implementation.

• Provide advice and hands-on assistance for implementation of JIF activities and in particular the implementation of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS)

• In coordination with the FLEGT Secretariat, ensure monitoring and reporting of progress with JIF implementation.

• In coordination with the FLEGT Secretariat, facilitate coordination meetings with NIWG, JMRC, EU Delegation focal person, DG INTPA Unit F2, donors, relevant stakeholders and others as relevant. Meetings are to be duly recorded.

• Support the organisation and preparation of JMRC and related multi-stakeholder dialogues as well as animate sub working groups.

• Inform NIWG, JMRC, the EU Delegation, DG INTPA Unit F2 as necessary, on the advances and roadblocks of the process of implementation of the VPA

• Provide regular advice and progress reports to the EU and the Government of Guyana to help overcome challenges and address solutions, following consultation with appropriate stakeholders

• Follow up on Government of Guyana and/or EU requests made in the context of the implementation of the VPA

• Support the FLEGT Africa and Latin America (ALA) Facility, FGVC Programme, EU Delegation, DG INTPA Unit F2, and the VPA FLEGT Secretariat with the development of VPA reports, presentations and other forms of communication for national or international audiences.

• Contribute to VPA annual reporting and make sure this is publicly available.

• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in forestry, natural resources management, social sciences, law, economics or other fields related to the work of the Organization

• Five years of relevant experience in forestry, natural resources management and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country

• Working knowledge (level C) of English and working knowledge (level C) of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian)

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

• Experience in working with international partners/organizations, government agencies, civil society, and the private sector;

• Experience with forest operations and timber-based value chains.

• Strong knowledge of Guyana's forest-related policies and ongoing international cooperation initiatives.

• Experience in working in complex governance processes involving a wide variety of stakeholders with often different interests;

• Good understanding of the complexity of the governance of natural resources, covering not only technical issues but also economic, social, cultural, political and legal aspects;

• A broad network of forestry-sector stakeholders in Guyana, including the government, the private sector, and civil society;

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 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.

---