Programme Specialist – Planning, Wood Harvesting and processing (2 positions)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
i. advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
ii. provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
iii. assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
iv. position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
v. ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project “Sustainable Wood-based Value Chains in Uganda” aims to promote sustainable management practices of existing wood resources through wood resource planning, timber yield regulation plans, and certification schemes. It also seeks to enhance processing capacity and market development of wood products, strengthening aggregation models and supporting primary and secondary wood processors. To address gaps related to investment and access to finance for SMEs in the wood-based industry, the project will provide capacity development and advisory services to local financing institutions (banks and non-banks) together with facilitating policy dialogues to improve the enabling environment for investors in the wood-based industry.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Uganda, and the direct supervision of the Team Leader for Forestry at FAO Uganda, and day to day immediate supervision by Technical Advisor on wood harvesting and processing and, and technical backstopping of the Lead Technical Officer, the programme specialist on planning and wood harvesting will work with other programme specialists, and analysts in the implementation of the project.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support wood harvesting and processing technical advisor on activities related to (i) the sustainable supply of legal wood raw material from planted forests and (ii) enhancing processing capacity and market demand for wood products at national and sub-national levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

Wood resource planning and harvesting

• Plan and conduct forest inventories for selected forest plantations and develop yield regulation plans.
• Train and build capacity of forest owners to develop Operational Harvesting Plans (OHPs) to guide harvesting operations.
• Develop and promote relevant guidelines such as harvesting guidelines, health and safety guidelines to promote good forest management practices.
• Plan and coordinate relevant training courses to build capacity of target beneficiaries in sustainable wood harvesting and transport.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to provide onsite technical assistance to harvesting operations and ensure adherence to OHPs, safety and quality standards.
• Build technical capacity of smallholder farmers to sustainably manage their forest resources.
• Coordinate a certification program for forest harvesting contractors.

Primary wood processing (sawmilling and related value addition) & Market development.

• Facilitate formation and strengthening of aggregated wood processor groups.
• Support aggregated groups to establish a jointly managed wood processing facility.
• Facilitate the development of business plans for aggregated producer groups by ensuring their participation in the investment readiness programme.
• Provide technical assistance in identification of appropriate wood processing equipment.
• Support training and build capacity of actors in primary wood processing for efficient wood milling, seasoning and further value addition.
• Support the establishment of service centers for repairs and maintenance of primary processing machinery.
• Support timber grading operations to ensure adherence to the national timber grading standards.
• Facilitate the process of developing the East Africa standards for timber to harness opportunities for regional trade.
• Support periodic national and regional timber market surveys

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Wood Technology and Science, or any related qualifications.
• At least 7 years of proven experience in commercial forestry, sustainable forest management, and natural resources management in Uganda.
• .Working knowledge of English.
• Must be Ugandan National.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in commercial forestry and natural resources management.
• Experience and knowledge of wood sector value chains. Additional knowledge in understanding the key players, financing landscape and investment related to forestry/wood industry is an asset for the position.
• Proven experience in carrying out activities related to forest inventory, planning for commercial purposes
• Relevant experience in developing and promoting forestry standards in wood harvesting and related health and safety
• Proven experience in supporting wood processing
• Demonstrated experience in understanding of commercial plantation forestry operations, wood processing or marketing
• Experience in providing strategic guidance, technical oversight, build strong teams.
• Proven experience in developing forest and wood processing guidelines, procedures and standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in forest technical training in harvesting and transport, primary wood processing, secondary wood processing.
• In-depth understanding of Forest and wood products certification Audits
• Experience in engaging and networking with forestry consultants, Government, Government agencies, development partners, donors, civil society, private sector, and national, regional and international stakeholder at technical and implementation level.
• Good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION