Forestry Expert (Secretariat of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea)

Organizational Setting

The Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Created in 1948, the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions - Silva Mediterranea is a statutory body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) where the Mediterranean member countries of the European Forestry Commission (EFC), the Near East Forestry and Range Commission (NEFRC) and the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) meet, exchange experiences and establish cooperation programmes. Its role is to encourage a participatory process around Mediterranean forestry issues, act as a catalyst for forest management, propose related calls for action, and address the activities of its five working groups on emerging forestry topics.

The Secretariat of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea is hosted in the Forest Restoration team within the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Expert in charge of the Secretariat of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea reports to the Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader of the Forest Restoration team in close coordination and cooperation with the FAOSEC Forestry Team.

Technical Focus

Coordinate, as the Secretary of the Committee on the Mediterranean Forestry Questions - Silva Mediterranea, the regional activities of the committee based on decisions of Member Countries.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Follow up and implement the recommendations of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea, and contribute to organising its biennial official Sessions as well as the annual meetings of its Executive Committee; 
•     Coordinate the implementation of the action plans of the multiple working groups and taskforces of Silva Mediterranea; 
•     Monitor advances and progresses on topics related to Mediterranean forests, including by participating in key events and meetings on Mediterranean forests, and facilitate the transfer of this knowledge to working groups and national focal points through the publication of guidelines, policy briefs, technical reports and the organization of regional capacity building events and workshops; 
•     Monitor the implementation of the Agadir Commitment endorsed by the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea during the fifth Mediterranean Forest Week in 2017; 
•     Coordinate the implementation of the interventions funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) in the framework of the World Restoration Flagship of the UN Decade on Ecosystems Restoration named “Restoring Mediterranean Forests”; 
•     Support the programme coordinator and the regional partners in the implementation of the Mediterranean Forest Initiative;
•     Supervise the activity of the Mediterranean Youth Taskforce, created under the umbrella of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions-Silva Mediterranea, during the seventh Mediterranean Forest Week, Antalya, Türkiye, in 2022;
•     Maintain a collaborative partnership with key regional stakeholders dealing with Mediterranean forests; 
•     Facilitate the organization of the ninth Mediterranean Forest Week (Rome, Italy, First semester 2027) as the leading organiser and secretary of the Joint Organizing Committee of the Mediterranean Forest Week; 
•     Advise on and contribute to resource mobilisation efforts with preparation of project proposals on Mediterranean forests; 
•     Ensure adequate support on Mediterranean forestry questions through publication of at least three newsletters per year on key topics and other information material (including regular updates of the website of Silva Mediterranea); 
•     Kick off and coordinate the preparation of the fourth edition of the Status of Mediterranean Forests to be published by 2030; 
•     Any other tasks upon request of the Forest restoration team leader.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in forestry. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.  
•     At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in forestry, forest and landscape restoration, sustainable land management or related fields, including experience at national and/or international level. 
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English. Knowledge of another FAO language is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong technical background in Mediterranean forestry issues, including forest restoration, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation and landscape approaches.
•     Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder processes, including Member Countries, regional organizations, civil society and youth networks.
•     Experience in resource mobilisation and project development is an asset.
•     Ability to analyse complex technical information and translate it into policy-relevant outputs.
•     Proven organizational skills, including planning and delivery of large international events.