The German consultancy GFA Consulting Group is looking for a National long-term expert as advisor to the institutionalization of digital tools for sustainable forest management in the frame of the Biodiversity and Forest Programme, BFP III.

 Project summary:

The BFP 3 aims to consolidate and institutionalize the achievements reached so far by the previous two phases, while strengthening partners at the meso and macro level. The institutions responsible for protected area and forest management are supported in organizational development, in capacity and skill development, as well as in improving knowledge management by using digital solutions.

The consultancy firm is to contribute to the following outputs:

• Effective systems for coordinating and institutionalizing tested management instruments.
• Alternative financing instruments and management models that promote the involvement of private actors in protected area and forest management.
•  Increased business and technical capacities in state and private enterprises with regard to using and processing forest resources.

Tasks:

• Coordinate the establishment of a digital platform/tool that allows the Amhara Forest Enterprise (AFE) to monitor operations, activities and financial management of their plantations, from the seed to the sawn timber
• Coordinate the establishment of a self-learning platform on forest management instruments for AFE staff
• Facilitate procurement of necessary equipment and technology (hardware and software) as well as the installation of hardware and software at partner institutions
• Coordinate/Facilitate training of technical staff at partner institution in the management and updating of digital platforms
• Provide technical advisory to AFE in the implementation and institutionalization of the (already developed) forest development strategy and business plan
• Coordinate upscaling of digital solutions piloted at AFE, as well as management instruments, to other regions/enterprises (3 workshops + 6 training sessions to be performed in SNNPR)
• Assess certification potential (legal framework as well as economic potential) for all types of forests in Amhara and SNNPR
• Assess integration of the private sector into improved forest management and certification, as well as in the timber value chain
• Promote sustainable livelihood options as well as SME development for people living next to plantation forests and by the use of timber, with participation of the private sector (PPP, CSR, etc.)

Funding:  GIZ (German Technical Cooperation)

Assignment duration:  22 months, planned commencement in March 2022

Qualifications and required experience:

• University degree (Master’s) in forestry, forest management, or forestry economics
• 15 years of professional experience in sustainable forest management or forest development and with the timber value chain
• 10 years of professional experience in advising governmental institutions or enterprises in the forestry sector or in the promotion of the timber value chain, of which 5 years in the management of digital tools and technologies applied to the forestry sector
• 5 years of experience in facilitating trainings or capacity building of IT solutions
• 5 years professional experience in certification schemes for forestry
• 3 years’ experience in supporting the development of SMEs within the timber value chain
• Profound knowledge of English (C1)