National Forest Inventory Expert

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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Technical Cooperation Programme with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provides technical and advisory support to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) in the implementation of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (SRAD) and related initiatives. Under Component 9 of the SRAD Programme, which focuses on strengthening national capacities in the sustainable management of rangelands, forests, and natural resources, FAO supports the development of knowledge, monitoring systems, and technical tools to enhance evidence-based planning and decision-making.

As part of these efforts, FAO has supported the implementation of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which represents the first comprehensive national assessment of forest resources in the country. The NFI provides essential information on forest extent, composition, condition, biomass, carbon stocks, biodiversity, and forest health, supporting evidence-based decision-making, national reporting obligations, and long-term forest monitoring.

To support the completion, validation, reporting, and dissemination of the National Forest Inventory, FAO seeks to recruit an international National Forest Inventory (NFI) Expert. The expert will provide technical leadership and specialized support for the review, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and dissemination of NFI results, while facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity development for NCVC and relevant stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

The National Forest Inventory Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Programme Director in Saudi Arabia and the direct technical supervision of the Natural Resources Management Chief Technical Advisor. The expert will work closely with FAO teams and NCVC technical counterparts, and other national and international experts involved in the implementation of the National Forest Inventory.

Technical Focus

The NFI Expert will provide technical support to the completion and dissemination of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The expert will lead the review, validation, analysis, and interpretation of NFI data and contribute to the finalization of the NFI Database Report, Methodology Report, and National Results Report. The expert will also support the preparation and validation of complementary technical outputs, including NFI indicators, maps, figures, and knowledge products, and support organization of NFI results validation and dissemination workshops

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review and finalize the cleaned and validated National Forest Inventory database and ensure consistency of all datasets used in the final reporting process.
• Lead the technical analysis and interpretation of NFI results and support the preparation of key indicators related to forest area, forest cover, species composition, regeneration, biomass, carbon stock, biodiversity, and forest health.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Database Report, including documentation of data structure, quality control procedures, metadata, and data management protocols.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Methodology Report, including sampling design, field protocols, data collection procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and analytical approaches.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Results Report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including statistical analysis, interpretation of findings, maps, charts, tables, and technical annexes.
• Collaborate with the FAO geospatial team in reviewing and validating all maps, figures, dashboards, and visual products included in the NFI reports.
• Prepare technical presentations, briefing notes, and communication materials summarizing key NFI findings for decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Design and deliver a National Workshop on NFI Results validation and Dissemination, including presentation of key findings, lessons learned, policy implications, and recommendations for future forest monitoring activities.
• Provide technical advice and support during workshop discussions, and review meetings related to the NFI outputs.
• Support knowledge transfer and handover of methodologies, analytical procedures, databases, and reporting tools to NCVC and FAO technical teams.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• For COF: Advanced university degree (MSc or PhD) in Forestry, Forest Inventory, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Forest Biometrics, Forestry Statistics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• For PSA.SBS: University degree or specific technical specialization in Forestry, Forest Inventory, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Forest Biometrics, Forestry Statistics, or a related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in forest inventory design, implementation, analysis, reporting, and forest resource assessment.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in National Forest Inventory implementation and reporting.
• Experience in forest inventory databases, quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Experience in forest statistics, sampling methodologies, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis tools.
• Experience in capacity development, training delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
• Previous experience working with FAO, governmental institutions, or international organizations is desirable.

Selection Criteria

• A limited knowledge (level B) of Arabic will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of National Forest Inventory reports and forest monitoring systems.
• Experience in forest biomass and carbon estimation, statistical analysis, and forest-related indicators.
• Working knowledge of GIS and forest inventory databases
• Extent and relevance of experience in the design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of National Forest Inventories or comparable large-scale forest resource assessments.
• Extent and relevance of experience in forest biomass, carbon stock estimation, forest health assessment, biodiversity indicators, and sustainable forest management monitoring.
• Proven experience in preparing technical reports, inventory methodologies, databases, and national forest assessment publications.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of forest inventory databases, data quality assurance/quality control procedures, and data management systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in GIS and spatial analysis applied to forest resource assessment and monitoring.
• Experience in designing and delivering technical training, workshops, and capacity-building activities for government institutions and technical stakeholders.
• Previous experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or donor-funded forestry and natural resource management projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments and to coordinate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of dryland forestry, arid ecosystems, and forest monitoring challenges in the Near East region will be considered an asset.
• Previous experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region will be considered an advantage.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any 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
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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