The objective of this call is to compile a roster of highly qualified candidates who can actively contribute to the work of the Forest Biodiversity and Restoration Team. These individuals support the team’s endeavors related to sustainable wildlife management, biodiversity mainstreaming, and the coordination of joint activities outlined in the 2023-2025 Work Plan of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will report to the Senior Forestry Officer, Team Leader, Forest Biodiversity Team.

Technical Focus

The identified assignments will actively contribute to the Forest Biodiversity and Restoration Team’s normative and project activities on a global and regional scale. The primary focus areas encompass:

•  Programme and Project Development and Management: Involving strategic planning and execution of initiatives.
•  Sustainable Wildlife and Natural Resources Management: Addressing sustainable practices for wildlife and natural resource conservation and sustainable use.
•  Human-Wildlife Conflict Management and Enhancing Coexistence: Developing strategies to manage conflicts and foster harmonious coexistence.
•  Policy Advice and Governance: Providing expertise on policies related to sustainable wildlife management and the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
•  One Health and Zoonotic Diseases: Addressing the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health, with a focus on zoonotic diseases.
•  Capacity Development: Enhancing the capabilities of individuals and institutions involved in wildlife and biodiversity management.
•  Communication, Outreach, and Advocacy: Engaging with stakeholders, disseminating information, and advocating for sustainable wildlife management practices and biodiversity mainstreaming.

Tasks and responsibilities

•  Provide expert advice and support to the Forest Biodiversity and Restoration Team in his/her area of technical expertise.
•  Support the preparation of publications, guidelines, practical tools, innovative approaches and and/or policy proposals in his/her area of specialisation to promote effective sustainable wildlife management and biodiversity mainstreaming.
•  Liaise with relevant FAO units, CPW partners and/or other organizations to obtain guidance and comments on specific tasks and requests, as appropriate.
•  Contribute to the coordination, implementation/delivery and administration of assigned programmes/activities in accordance with FAO and donor rules, procedures and systems.
•  Coordinate the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management in the secretariat’s capacity and manage activities outlined in the Partnership’s work plan for 2023-2025.
•  As needed, offer assistance and participate in technical events and workshop to facilitate the implementation sustainable wildlife management and biodiversity activities, encompassing consultation, training, capacity building and technical support.
•  As appropriate, join missions to contribute to the implementation of sustainable wildlife management and biodiversity activities.
•  Liaise with international agreements in the areas of sustainable wildlife management and biodiversity, including but not limited to secretariats of CBD, CITES, CMS, IPBES, as deemed relevant.
•  Contribute to Forest Biodiversity and Restoration Team’s communication and outreach material related to sustainable wildlife management and biodiversity.
•  Any other duties that relate to his/her area of technical expertise.

Minimum Requirements

•  University degree in forest resources management, wildlife management, environmental sciences, administrative/financial management, information management, international studies, law or related field.
•  At least one year of relevant experience for Category C consultants, 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, natural resources management, biodiversity and/or wildlife management.
•  Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of any other UN official language for COF.REG consultants.

Technical/Functional Skills

•  Extent and relevance of work experience in wildlife management and biodiversity mainstreaming across and within agricultural sectors, programme management and coordination.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme formulation and implementation of projects, programmes and studies in the pertinent field of expertise;
•  Extent of knowledge of developments in other relevant international fora and the capacity to conduct technical and policy analysis of on-going processes on biodiversity mainstreaming and sustainable willdife management.
•  Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis, and to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals, in English;
•  Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
•  Extent and relevance of experience in supporting capacity development initiatives.
•  Knowledge of facilitation of capacity development multi-stakeholder processes is desirable.
•  Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender sensitive and cross-cultural competency.
•  Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
•  Ability to deliver outputs by agreed deadlines, sometimes at very short notice