Forest concession specialist International Consultant Full-Time

Organizational Setting

The consultancy is part of the technical assistance provided by FAO to the Government of Mozambique to implement the country’s Forest Investment Programme (FIP) activities, as per objectives and activities defined in the project UTF/MOZ/123/MOZ.

• Activity 2.1.4: Revision of guidelines for sustainable forest management, including clear guidance for sustainable forest management plans of forest concessions;
• Activity 2.1.5: Support design of a new forest concessions framework for Mozambique, including legal, policy (in coordination with policy revision), institutions, economic instruments, as well as mechanisms for coordination with other governmental projects and priorities, through a transparent and inclusive process, based on stakeholder consultations and privileging clarity and coherence;
• Activity 2.1.6: Support the Mozambique government to pilot the new concessions model in Cabo Delgado and Zambezia in transparent and inclusive fashion, from ensuring clear legal and institutional mandates, to design and implementation of the bidding process and implementation of operations;
• Activity 2.1.7: Support organization of a bid seminar for interested private sector representatives in Maputo and to conduct the first bid process;
• Activity 2.1.8: Initial sample-based biophysical and socio-economic inventory for preparing concession area bid (demographic, land use, forest inventory and demarcation).

Reporting Lines

Technical Focus

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision CTA and/or Budget Holder (BH) and in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the other FAO staff and specialists involved in the implementation of the project UTF/MOZ/123/MOZ, the National Directorate of Forest under the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (DINAF), the National Fund of Sustainable Development (FNDS), the World Bank and the FAO Forestry Department, the consultant will:

1. Assess international and national Mozambique policy documents, legislation, institutional arrangements and instruments related to forest concession regimes, including the voluntary guidelines for forest concessions in the tropics published by FAO and the EFI, (Making forest concessions in the tropics work to achieve the 2030 Agenda: Voluntary Guidelines, FAO Forestry Paper 180), and consult with relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders for  preparing a document discussing the adequacy of Mozambique’s institutional framework (policies, institutions, and institutional mechanisms) in place to support forest concessions’ that contribute to sustainable forest management and coherent with the Sustainable Development Goals;
2. Based on aforementioned voluntary guidelines for forest concessions in the tropics, and in consultation with DINAF and other relevant government stakeholders prepare a document with a revision of Mozambique’s institutional frameworks for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of forest concessions for effective sustainable forest management and specific measures to carry out such revision;
3. Support DINAF, FNDS and other relevant governmental body to implement a reform of the institutional and legal framework guiding forest concessions;
4. In close collaboration with DINAF, FNDS and other relevant governmental body, prepare a participatory process to award forest concessions, from planning to implementation and monitoring;
5. Through capacity building workshops, prepare the provincial administration, private sector and communities to participate of the process to award forest concessions;
6. Organize discussions with DINAF and other relevant stakeholders reporting progress of work and main findings; and Support DINAF on any immediate need related to forest concessions institutional framework and arrangements.

Candidates will be assed against the following

 Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree on Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Policy and Regulation or related areas;
• Minimum 10 years of experience on sustainable management of production forests and minimum 3 years’ experience on forest concessions;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of a second official UN language.

 FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential;
• Extent and work experience on sustainable management of production forests;
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing countries and knowledge of their forests;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of public policies on forestry;
• Ability to analyze complex forestry-related  issues from an economic, social and environmental point of view;
• Experience in integrated landscape management approaches is an asset.

 Additional Selection Criteria

• Fluency of Portuguese is an asset

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing);
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list;
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications;
• Candidates with acceptable language certificate/s should upload them when submitting their application. For details, visit http://www.fao.org/3/I8446EN/i8446en.pdf
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• For further information on categories, contract duration and honoraria, please refer to the Conditions page.