Senior Forestry Officer (Forest Foods, Nutrition And Wildlife)

Job Description - Senior Forestry Officer (Forest Foods, Nutrition And Wildlife) (2601868)

Job Description

2601868

Senior Forestry Officer (Forest Foods, Nutrition And Wildlife)

Job Posting

02/Sep/2026

Closure Date

23/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : Forestry Division, NFO

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 0122009

CCOG Code : 1H06

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device. The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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 the promotion of forestry and livelihoods, forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

The position is located in the Forest Foods, Nutrition and Wildlife Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Forestry Officer (Forest Foods, Nutrition and Wildlife) reports to the Deputy Director, NFO.

Technical Focus

Forest foods, sustainable wildlife management and the contribution of forests and wild species to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and resilient food systems. The role includes advancing evidence-based approaches for the sustainable use, conservation and management of wild resources, including wild meat, nuts, mushrooms, berries and other forest-derived foods, particularly in support of vulnerable and forest-dependent communities. The position also focuses on strengthening linkages between forestry, biodiversity, One Health, sustainable development and international policy processes, including through technical leadership, normative guidance and support to Members.

Key Results

Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of divisional and cross-divisional programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Analyses global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence-based strategies and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks.
• Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis of activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or ongoing programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services.
• Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes.
• Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning and on-line tools.
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Provides global technical leadership for FAO’s normative work on the contribution of forests, forest foods and sustainably managed wild species to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and ecosystem resilience, including through sustainable wildlife management approaches aligned with biodiversity conservation, food systems transformation and One Health.
• Leads and supports FAO’s engagement in international policy processes, conventions and technical fora related to sustainable wildlife management, biodiversity, food security and nutrition, including through the provision of technical advice, evidence-based inputs and representation of the Organization.
• Provides normative and technical support to countries and FAO's operational and field-level programmes including through policy support, capacity development and training.
• Leads resource mobilization strategies, partnership development and project formulation to advance sustainable forest foods and wildlife management initiatives, including global normative work and country-level support programmes.
• Promotes interdisciplinary approaches and strengthens collaboration across FAO technical units, including forestry, food systems, nutrition, biodiversity, One Health and climate teams, to advance integrated solutions for sustainable forest-based food systems.
• Fosters, strengthens and manages strategic partnerships and initiatives with relevant institutions at international, national and local levels, including the private sector, research and non-governmental organizations, and donors.
• Collects, analyses and disseminates data and information on issues related to forest foods, nutrition and wildlife.
• Serves as Secretary of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), coordinating partnership activities, facilitating collaboration among member organizations and supporting implementation of the CPW Strategic Roadmap and work plans.
• Leads the development of technical guidance, knowledge products and policy tools on sustainable wildlife management and forest foods, including their contributions to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and resilient food systems.
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in forest, agriculture or natural resources management, ecosystem biodiversity management, or social sciences, including political sciences or economics.
• Ten years of relevant experience in forestry, sustainable wildlife management, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, forest-based food systems, or related areas, including experience in developing countries and/or countries in transition.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of forestry and wildlife management for food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
• Extent and relevance of technical expertise in the contributions of forests and wild species to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation, including sustainable use and management of forest foods, wild meat and other wild resources.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and implementing policies, programmes and initiatives related to sustainable wildlife management, forest foods and the linkages between biodiversity, food systems, nutrition and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries and countries in transition.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the planning and implementation of programmes related to forest foods and wildlife.
• Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in integrating sustainable wildlife management and forest-based food systems into national, regional and global policy frameworks, including biodiversity, climate, One Health and food security agendas.
• Ability to provide technical leadership, policy advice and normative guidance on sustainable wildlife management, including legal and sustainable use and trade of wildlife, human-wildlife coexistence, and the role of wild species in supporting resilient ecosystems and vulnerable communities.
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder partnerships involving governments, international organizations, research institutions, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplaceculture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.

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