National Forest Health Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO representation office in Armenia (FAO Armenia) and the Environmental Project Implementation Unit (EPIU) are the Executing Entities (EEs) of the project. FAO will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project and supervise the work of the EPIU of the Ministry of Environment of Armenia. The project is co-financed by the Government of Armenia, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Autonomous Province of Bolzano, WWF Armenia and FAO. The position is based in Yerevan, with local travel to the project sites (Lori and Syunik Marzes) and other areas relevant to the project. TCP/ARM/4005 Enhancing forest resilience to pests and diseases project is part of FAO co-financing obligations contributing to the GCF project implementation.

Reporting Lines

The specialist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the national and international experts specializing in entomology, pathology, invasive plants, and biological control.  

Technical Focus

National-level technical support to forest health risk assessment, monitoring system development, field surveys, biological control assessment, and capacity building.

Tasks and responsibilities

Forest Health Assessment & Risk Analysis

•     Conduct a comprehensive desk review of national forest health status in collaboration with national experts (entomology, pathology, invasive plants).
•     Analyse national capacities, institutional gaps, available resources, and findings from previous forest health field assessments.
•     With guidance from international specialists (entomology, pathology, invasive plants), conduct risk assessments for key pests, diseases, and invasive species.
•     Validate identification results and risk assessments, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with international methodologies.

Monitoring System Development

•     With international experts, design localized forest health monitoring systems (for pests, diseases, and invasive plants).
•     Develop survey methodologies, trap/lure deployment protocols, and field monitoring procedures.
•     Identify high-risk sites (with MoE/EPIU) and prepare tailored survey and trapping strategies.
•     Equip and maintain demonstration plots for practical training and field demonstrations.

Biological Control Support

•     In collaboration with the International Biological Control Expert, support assessments of entomopathogens and other biological control options for priority pests.
•     Support laboratory-level evaluations, isolation work, and preparation of practical guidelines for national use.
•     Contribute to ToT-level training modules on biological control methods and safe/appropriate application techniques.

Field Implementation

•     Oversee trap installation, maintenance, and sample collection in designated forest sites.
•     Coordinate with national field teams to ensure systematic survey planning, data collection, and quality control.
•     Support sorting, triage, preliminary diagnostics, and sample transfer to laboratories as required.

Capacity Building

•     Support International Consultant in delivering targeted trainings to national and sub-national stakeholders on:
o    Survey planning and implementation
o    Trap maintenance, servicing, and sample handling
o    Pest/disease diagnostics and invasive plant identification
o    Data management and reporting
o    Implementation of contingency plans for outbreaks
o    Biological control methods and laboratory procedures

Data Management & Reporting

•     Support development of data collection protocols aligned with national forest monitoring systems and GCF requirements.
•     Contribute to technical notes, training materials, field manuals, and progress reports.
•     Provide inputs for national reporting to EPIU, FAO, and project stakeholders.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in forestry, forest protection, entomology, plant pathology, ecology, environmental science, biological sciences, or related field.
•     At least 3 years of relevant experience in forest health, pest/disease monitoring, invasive species management, or biological control.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Armenian.
•     National of Armenia or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in field surveys, diagnostics, and/or monitoring system implementation