PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT AND REDD+ ADVISOR

Reports to:                 Country Program Coordinator (CPC)

Employment Type:     One year contract with possibility of extension

Valid from:                 August 01, 2021   

Position Purpose:

The PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT (PFM) AND REDD+ ADVISOR will be responsible to follow up the REDD+ project, which the Development Fund (DF) of Norway in Ethiopia is implementing in Southwest Ethiopia. The advisor will work closely with DF’s implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure high quality delivery of project implementation in the areas of participatory forest management.

The PFM Advisor will also be responsible to provide technical and advisory services; backstopping and on-the-job training for the staff of partner institution, staff of government counterparts and target communities on PFM related topics under the context of community based participatory forest management. The PFM Advisor will assist implementing partners in developing appropriate tools and guidelines related forest management based on the country rules and regulations.

Detail Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise partners in the preparation of project plans.
•  Organize monitoring visit with partners to ensure the project is progressing as per the plan and forward recommendations for improvement.
•  Ensure that execution of the project is as planned and geared towards achieving expected results (Impact, Outcomes, Outputs, Activities).
•  Provide technical advice to partners on the preparation of periodical reports and ensure the reports comply with donor requirements.
•  Review and consolidate periodic reports from implementing partners in consultation with CPC and Finance and Administration Manager (FAM).  
•  Closely follow and analyze Government policies and programming commitments to Participatory Forest Management so as to ensure programme alignment in coordination with DF implementing partners.
•  Support and advice implementing partners on the development of forest products utilization strategies for income generating activities.
• Support and advise implementing partners in creating market access for forest products.
•  Follow-up the establishment and strengthening of sustainable participatory forest management systems, including awareness raising, participatory byelaw development, strengthening of forest users’ associations, cooperatives, and other necessary committees.
•  Ensure the proper utilization of the financial resources through regular checks and monitoring according to jointly agreed plan of action in collaboration with the finance team.
•  Provide proactive responses to the requests from implementing partners.  
•  Assist in developing quality assurance mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the project activities in collaboration with DF MEAL team.

Communications and Networking

• Establish good interaction and communication with implementing partners.
• Develop good working relationships with relevant stakeholders including Government authorities and NGOs.
• Represent DF in relevant fora related to participatory forest management.
• Perform other related tasks as required and assigned by the supervisor.

Personal behaviour

• Respect and adhere to the DF code of conduct.
• Follow and promote the DF Vision, Mission and values in action and words
• Have personal integrity and promote zero tolerance to corruption and sexual abuse and exploitation in all forms.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in Forestry, natural resource management or related fields.
• 5 years’ service with proven practical experience in planning and implementation of participatory forest management projects.
• Experience with participatory approaches to project planning, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation, project budgets and financial management.
• Knowledge about international experiences and debates on PFM, REDD+ and community involvement in forest management.
• A good understanding of the dynamics in forest management and how these can be linked to improved livelihoods through forest enterprise development and market linkages.
• Work experience in managing projects and programs financed by international development agencies.
• Practical experience working with rural communities and government institutions.
• Practical experience in mainstreaming gender in project interventions.

Skills:

• Training facilitation
• Networking
• Analytical
• Communication and report writing
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral in English
• High degree of initiative, integrity, and accountability
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with team spirit
• Ability to build personal relationships with various stakeholders.

Personal Qualities:

• Inter-personal and problem solving
• Be able to work under pressure and towards tight deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Promote team synergy in a multi-cultural work environment.
• A resourceful person and self-starter
• A mature, sensible, and open-minded person with mutual respect
• Be able to network effectively inside and outside of the organization.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.