Forestry Advisor Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

The “Integrated Water Catchment Management and Landscape Protection (AWARE 2.0)” project is cofinanced by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. AWARE 2.0 aims at “Improved integrated management of water catchments including landscape protection with a focus on agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water and climate”. The project works on national and at decentral level with focus on the Lower Kafue Sub-Catchment (LKSC) addressing the following intervention areas:

1. Improved capacities of the central government to execute its mandate for the integrated management of water catchments, including landscape protection with a focus on climate adaptation
2. Improved capacities of decentralised authorities to plan, protect and sustainably manage water catchment ecosystems with focus on climate adaptation in the selected landscape
3. Improved capacities of Water Resources Management (WRM) governance structures to sustainably manage water resource disputes in the LKSC
4. Scaled-up measures for water catchment management, landscape restoration and protection and climate adaptation

In this context, the project is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position:

Forestry Advisor – (based in Central Province)

REF: GIZ_AWARE_FACP

As forestry expert you are leading all forestry related activities and ensure integration of forestry in Landscape approach of AWARE 2.0 across all outputs.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Conceptualize, plan and steer implementation of all forestry related activities.
• Ensure integration of forestry in Landscape approach across all outputs.
• Provide forestry related expertise for detailed government stakeholder map displaying mandates, synergies, gaps and over-laps for integrated water catchment management and landscape protection in close collaboration with the Nexus Programme implementing partners
• Contribute forestry expertise to the development of a financing strategy for water catchment management and landscape protection analysing potential in e.g. public budget allocation, revenue generation, external funding through private sector and/or payment for ecosystem services and compile and promote recommendations resulting from the analysis
• Identify key stakeholders in the forestry sector on national and decentral level (AWARE 2.0 project area) and facilitate the collaboration
• Support the planning of forestry activities with decentralized authorities in the selected project area incl. hotspot mapping
• Planning, implementation and scaling of restoration and protection measures relating to the forestry-water nexus,
• Strengthening and capacity development of community-based forestry and other decentralized structures
• Steer consultants and coordinate implementation with other NEXUS programme parties

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Environment, Forestry, Natural Resources Management or a closely related field
• Preferably a master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.

Professional experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the forestry sector in Zambia
• Strong personal network in Zambia’s forestry sector
• Demonstrable experience in engaging with communities on forestry related activities
• Demonstrable experience in working with government representatives in the forestry sector, especially on decentral level
• Demonstrable experience in landscape approaches
• Strong understanding of government policies and priorities of Forestry Sector
• Experience working in or engaging with the private sector
• Experience in working for an international organisation is an added advantage
• Knowledge of Forestry Cooperating Partner Landscape is an asset

Other knowledge and additional competences

• Self-motivated and proactive
• Practical experience working in a politically sensitive context is an asset
• Strong analytical and skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially when collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders
• Fluency in English, with very good writing skills
• Excellent IT skills (e.g. MS Office, online research, etc.); ability to learn new tools
• Must be a team player and is expected to work well in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a fixed term contract.