Forestry Specialist – MCA Nepal Reforestation

POSITION DETAILS Winrock is recruiting a Forestry Specialist for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Reforestation project in Nepal. This position is contingent upon award. ESSENTIAL RESPONSBILITIES Provide technical guidance on silviculture, species selection, and site preparation in line with the relevant area-specific Management Plans, the Forest Act (2019), Forest Regulation (2022), the National Standards for Sustainable Forest Management, and other recognized best practices. Ensure all plantation and tending activities comply with environmental and social safeguards. Develop and maintain technical standards for nursery operations, planting, and post-planting care. Design and oversee monitoring and evaluation protocols in coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist. Coordinate between subcontractors responsible for reforestation, infrastructure construction supervision and Community Forest Users’ Group (CFUG) capacity building. Supervise and provide technical support to the two Lot Coordinators / Site Managers. Responsible for technical reporting to MCA-Nepal and Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) on compliance and performance. Support capacity building of site teams and CFUGs on forestry best practices. Advise on risk mitigation for pests, diseases, and fire hazards. QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND: Education: Master’s degree in forestry, ecology, or environmental science. Work Experience: At least 10 years of experience in reforestation, forest restoration, or ecosystem management. Understanding of Nepal's forestry laws, reforestation guidelines, and protected area policies. Experience with design and implementation of forest monitoring systems and familiarity with tools such as plot-based forest inventory, GIS analysis, and remote sensing. Knowledge of nursery operations, and sustainable plantation practices Experience leading projects coordinating with CFUGs. Familiarity with social, environmental, and biodiversity safeguards relating to plantations and reforestation. Experience preparing or reviewing EIAs related to forestry projects. Experience working with the Ministry of Forests and Environment is an asset. Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Nepali and English. Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity, and transformation. Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion, and equity across the entire organization