Senior Forest Management Expert

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Overview of Position

In support of the realization of the ambitious Saudi Arabia & Middle East green initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Center for Vegetation Cover & Combating Desertification (NCVC) has been tasked with combating desertification, rehabilitating forest vegetation cover, protecting local endangered plant species & managing national parks. This project is designed to support NCVC in increasing necessary institutional, technical & technological capacities to realize its mandate more effectively & efficiently. The enhanced NCVC capacity will be achieved through transforming information technology & digital capabilities, establishing cooperation & strengthening its network internationally & promoting forest conservation practices & increasing environmental awareness to ensure the long term sustainability of NCVC activities at the policy level & on the ground. The project will support the achievement of the ambitious Saudi green initiative by designing a model of a tree nursery & seed bank with a road map for establishing a large scale nursery facility to meet the Kingdom’s afforestation goals, along with by aligning policy & standards of tree planting & creating a mechanism to coordinate the afforestation work among different actors. These objectives will be achieved through a whole of society approach, in close partnership with the private sector, academia, youth & other relevant stakeholders to ensure the long term sustainability of the activities across the project lifecycle & beyond. This project will build upon the long standing Standard Basic Framework Agreement (SBBA) which was agreed upon between the Kingdom and our client in 1975. The project expected outputs are:

• Output 1: Strengthening international cooperation & network.
• Output 2: Promoting conservation practices & strengthening environmental awareness via advocacy & outreach.
• Output 3: Model tree nursery design & ecosystem conservation.
• Output 4: Transformation of information technology & digital infrastructure.
• Output 5: Strengthening institutional & technical capacity.

Role Objectives

The Senior Forest Management Expert will be responsible for the following:

Leading the development, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of sustainable forest management plans in selected forest areas designated for NCVC management.

Monitoring system development:

• Participate in the establishment & running of a comprehensive forest monitoring, assessment & reporting system at NCVC.
• Identify & promote appropriate innovative technologies & methodologies to enhance the forest management & monitoring processes & ensure accurate data collection.

Data collection & field work:

• Review, analyze & propose improvements to all relevant documents & processes associated with the sustainable forest management plans in selected forest areas.
• Monitoring & evaluation of forest areas designated for NCVC management.
• Recommend & propose cost effective data collection methods for forest management & monitoring in priority areas.
• Assist in the design, execution, processing & reporting of field surveys related to forests & their ecosystems.

Reporting & representation:

• Regularly produce detailed reports on progress towards sustainable forest management, to aid planning, decision making & to support both national & international reporting about Saudi Arabian forests.
• Serve as the primary contact point for all matters related to sustainable forest management at NCVC.
• Represent the centre in relevant discussions, meetings & events when necessary.
• Develop visual representations, such as maps & charts, to present forest data in a comprehensible manner to all stakeholders.
• Stay up to date with global forest management & monitoring standards & ensure NCVC’s alignment with these benchmarks.

Capacity building & other responsibilities:

• Offer training sessions & guidance to NCVC staff based on the specialist’s area of expertise.
• Identify skill gaps within the NCVC team & tailor training sessions to address these areas.
• Stay up to date with the latest trends & advancements in sustainable forest management & monitoring & introduce them to the team as appropriate.
• Carry out any other related duties that fall under the specialist’s area of expertise.

The Senior Forest Management Expert will be responsible for delivering the following:

Sustainable forest management planning:

• A comprehensive report detailing the inception, design & establishment of sustainable forest management plans in forest areas under NCVC management responsibility.
• Models of sustainable forest management plans for all forest types of Saudi Arabia, including for participatory forest management.

Data collection & field work:

• A comprehensive data repository, including analyzed satellite imagery & other pertinent data that feeds the digital forest monitoring system for conservation & sustainable management of forest resources.
• Documentation on recommended cost effective methods for sustainable management & monitoring of priority forest areas.
• Field survey reports related to forests & their ecosystems, accompanied by findings from their sustainable forest management plans.
• A summary report showcasing the application of modern technologies to enhance sustainable management & monitoring of KSA forests.

Reporting & representation:

• Regularly published forest assessment & management reports, complete with SFM planning, decision making insights & alignment with both national & international standards.
• A representation log capturing the centre’s involvement in relevant discussions, meetings & events on forest management & conservation of forest resources.
• Visual assets, including maps & charts, illustrating sustainable forest management policies & practives in an easily understandable format for all stakeholders.
• An alignment report showcasing NCVC’s adherence to global standards for sustainable forest management.
• Provision of data for Saudi report on the country progress towards SDG 15.2 “promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests & substantially increase afforestation & reforestation globally”.

Capacity building & other responsibilities:

• Training modules, schedules & feedback reports from sessions held for NCVC staff, focused on the specialist’s area of expertise.
• An assessment report identifying skill gaps within the NCVC team & highlighting tailored training initiatives.
• A periodic review capturing the latest trends & advancements in forest management & monitoring & their introduction to the NCVC team.
• It’s important to note that the expected outputs & deliverables may be subject to adjustment & refinement during the project based on evolving needs & priorities.

Project Reporting

• The Sustainable Forest Management Specialist will work at the General Directorate of Forests under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator & indirect supervision of the General Manager of the Forests at NCVC & the National Project Officer.
• This advisor consultancy will be implemented under the total supervision of NCVC, which is according to the NCVC act no. (8) by law, is responsible for the design, establishment, operation & supervision of national parks, whether terrestrial or geologic parks, including but not limited to infrastructure, services, mapping, signposting, education services & the imposition of fines for violations of national law or its regulations.

Key Competencies

• Master’s degree (or higher) in conservation & sustainable management of natural resources, with a specialization in forest management, monitoring & assessment.
• At least 5 – 7 years of experience in forest conservation, natural resources management monitoring & assessment.
• Previous experience in sustainable forest & land use management, natural resources & vegetation cover monitoring & assessment is essential.
• Prior involvement in forest management with proved field work experience is crucial.
• Proficiency in using remote sensing tools for monitoring & assessment reporting on forests, land use & other vegetation cover.
• Expertise in forest management methods & conducting field management plans.
• Strong data collection & analysis skills.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead stakeholder meetings & educational programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams.
• Familiarity with digital tools & platforms relevant to forest management & monitoring.
• Adaptability to emerging technologies in the field of forest management & monitoring.
• Fluency in Arabic & English.
• Scale up solutions & simplifies processes, balances speed & accuracy in doing work.
• Offer new ideas / open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic / integrated thinking.
• Go outside comfort zone, learn from others & support their learning.
• Adapt processes / approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Able to persevere & deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Is facilitator / integrator, bring people together, build / maintain coalitions / partnerships.
• Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental bodies (general assembly, ECOSOC, UNDESA, etc.), including respective mandates, ways of working & negotiation processes.
• Ability to take decisions in a timely & efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise & resources.
• Conservation & sustainable use of biodiversity, land, forests & oceans.
• Reduced emissions from deforestation & forest degradation.
• Green economy & green growth.
• Economic transformation, policy & planning.
• Effective & efficient delivery & implementation of programs & projects.

Team Management

• Team management experiences is desired for this role.

Further Information

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.
• The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
• The completion of deliverables & milestones will be spread out throughout the duration of the project, with specific timelines provided in the deliverables table.
• The timeline for review & feedback on deliverables will be communicated by the Project Manager at the NCVC.
• Any adjustments or extensions to the duration of the work will be mutually agreed upon by the Senior Advisor and the NCVC, considering the project’s progress & requirements.
• This assignment will be based in NCVC Riyadh.
• Our client will cover the around ticket to / from the duty station.
• If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s duty station city is requested by our client & not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by our client in line with applicable rules & regulations & upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the consultant shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).
• A written approval from our client & relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant’s travel to any locations than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.