Wildlife Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

The Wildlife Management specialist reports to the Lead Technical Officer and will work in close collaboration with the Local Team Leader and Local Forestry Officer in Kosovo.

Technical Focus

In the framework of GCP/KOS/008/EC Project, entitled “Support to strengthening sustainable and multipurpose forest management to improve rural livelihoods and address climate change in Kosovo”, one of the project’s objectives is to introduce robust and long-term practices for sustainable wildlife management in forested areas of Kosovo.

In particular, the project will support three wildlife-related activities, namely:
•     create a registry of hunting associations and their members authorized to take game from forested areas;
•     create a data base to catalogue and estimate wildlife populations within regions; and 
•     provide technical assistance to capacity build and develop a National Programme for forest wildlife management and
hunting in Kosovo.

The primary objectives of the Wildlife Management Specialist are to review existing policies and strategies, engage with relevant stakeholders, and through participatory approach draft a comprehensive National Programme for forest wildlife management and hunting in Kosovo. This program should include detailed recommendations for sustainable wildlife populations and hunting, as well as an Action Plan for its implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Review the current policies and strategies as well as assess the legal and institutional framework for wildlife management in Kosovo;
•     Liaise, consult with and seek clarification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) and Kosovo Forestry Agency (KFA) on the future direction and required elements of the National Programme and Action Plan for  forest wildlife management and hunting in Kosovo;
•     Work closely with the government-led Working Group (WG) and draft the Programme for forest wildlife management and hunting in Kosovo;
•     Development of the detailed recommendations for sustainable wildlife populations and sustainable hunting practices; 
•     Creation of an Action Plan for the effective implementation of the National Programme.
•     Evaluate the suitability of the proposals from the Working Group and other relevant stakeholders for inclusion in the Programme, as appropriate.
•     Shape up the main elements of the future Programme for forest wildlife management and hunting in Kosovo based on the WG deliberations.
•     Finalize the draft Programme and the related Action Plan under the guidance of the government-led WG.
•     Present the programme to the stakeholders and develop a road map for its implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree with additional two years of level work experience in Natural resources and Wildlife management
•     With Bachelor level degree a minimum of 12 years (level A), 7 years (level B), 3 years (level C) and with Master level degree a minimum of 10 years (level A), 5 years (Level B), 1 years (level C) of relevant working experience in wildlife management and hunting, including policies and programs
•     Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English.  

FAO Core Competencies

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