The German consultancy GFA Consulting Group (www.gfa-group.de) is looking for a National long-term expert for skill development in the timber sector 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 with AFE and EFWPDA, as well as with the KfW timber processing project, the selection of training areas for youth groups, individuals or entrepreneurs, with a focus of integrating women in the timber value chain
• Evaluate job or entrepreneurial opportunities in the timber and bamboo sector along the value chain, as well as market analysis to develop adequate training processes
• Coordinate with technical training institutions in Amhara to develop training courses and materials, targeting the specific needs, considering equal opportunities for men and women
• Advise SMEs in the timber sector on potential access to finance and other opportunities for business development, Ensure integration of training processes in the technical training institutions as part of their curricula
• Assess the need for adequate tools and equipment for the trainings and coordinate procurement
• Advise training centres in the organisation of a service for the use of the tools and machinery by small entrepreneurs, Training of technical staff at partner institutions and technical training centres in the management and update of timber processing training

Funding: GIZ (German Technical Cooperation)

Assignment duration: 28 months, planned commencement in March 2022

Qualifications and required experience:

• University or technical degree in forestry, carpentry or forest/timber economics
• 15 years of professional experience in technical or vocational education related to the timber value chain.
• 10 years of professional experience in advising SMEs in the timber sector