Job Openings at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

About The Job

• This position is located in the national forest monitoring (NFM) team, who is providing support to Ghana’s Forestry Commission on REDD+ through the UN-REDD programme. 

Reporting Lines:

• The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the FAO Rep in Ghana, and the direct technical guidance of the forest inventory specialists of FAO, HQ.

Technical Focus:

• The incumbent will assist to design a national forest inventory, which serves the purpose (among other) to provide updated emission factors (EFs) for REDD+ reporting. Ghana’s current EFs are based on a 2012 Forest Inventory. 
• This inventory had the objective of estimating carbon stocks in different ecological zones of the country and was centered around capacity development but not necessarily targeting balanced country representation; the area of influence of the 2012 Forest Inventory had a regional scope, since it was carried out mainly in the south-western part of the country. 
• The 2012 forest inventory data was also used to fit a LiDar-based carbon model. 
• Though the inventory data does meet the minimum requirements for TREES participation, this is an important area for future improvement. Areas for improvement are increasing the plot size, a nationally representative distribution and a more accurate land-use classification.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• The Technical Assistant will contribute to the design preparation phase of the Ghana National Forest Inventory, serving as a liaison between FAO technical staff, the Forestry Commission and any other relevant national actors, such as the Forest Research Institute of Ghana.
• He\she will support the preparation of a new design for the National Forest Inventory. This product will be generated through various activities, but in particular through the collection and compilation of information that can help to design the National Forest Inventory of Ghana. Specific tasks to be carried out include the following:
• Support the technical and logistical organization of 2 workshops to establish a list of indicators and key questions to be evaluated in the National Forest Inventory.
• Support the data collect from previous forest inventories realized in the country, permanent plots, etc., this activity include reports, electronic files, databases, etc.
• Provide technical support to collect information about costs in the NFI (administrative and field work activities).
• Support the preparation of the NFI design document and its validation and approval.
• Support the preparation of the field manual to collect data according with the new design.
• Explore the possibility of collecting relevant information for estimating an emission factor for degradation with the NFI.
• Accompany and support technically the validation of the new field data collection methodology.
• Support the technical and logistical organization a workshop to present the process and results of the design of the NFI.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Candidates Will Be Assesed Against The Following:
Minimum Requirements:

• University degree in Forestry or related field 
• 5 years of relevant experience in the forest sector (government or private) 
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Ghana or a legal resident in the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Due to the technical complexity and innovation of the forest inventories design, the position requires extensive technical skills related to forest inventories 
• Extent and relevance of experience in management of statistical databases. 
• Extent and relevance of experience in management of computer programs such as Excel, Word, Power Point and statistical software.
• Familiarity with the forest sector in the country
• The candidate must demonstrate high communication skills, both verbal and written, negotiation, leadership, vision, strategy, coordination and teamwork.
   

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About The Job

• The Human Resources Assistant coordinates and performs the full range of human resources support functions. 

Main Purpose:

• He/she ensures quality, transparency and consistency of data and processes within his/her area of responsibility and contributes to the smooth functioning of human resources operations.
• Supervision Received/Exercised:
• The Human Resources Assistant reports to the Regional Human Resources Officer in RAF and may receive guidance from a Human Resources Officer or/and Associate. 
• The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities, exercise initiative for dealing with cases without precedents and finds solution to problems after discussion with supervisor. 
• Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs, in particular the meeting of timelines and the quality of advice given to clients. 
• The incumbent provides guidance and advice to other human resources support staff.
• Working Relationships:
• The Human Resources Assistant works closely with colleagues in the HR team and with managers and staff in client offices, providing and coordinating experienced human resources support.

Key Functions/Results:

• Analyse, answer and follow-up on a variety of complex human resources requests and enquiries from staff and non-staff; provide guidance on relevant human resources guidelines and procedures.
• Coordinate support services related to the employment and servicing of staff and non staff; initiate a range of personnel actions such as appointments, extensions, transfers, etc.
• Conduct preliminary review of staffing action requests for post classification in accordance with established job classification standards.
• Support the briefing and de-briefing of staff; provide information as to staff entitlements and specificities of contracts.
• Coordinate the recruitment process of all categories of staff and non-staff, including the preparation of job profiles and vacancy announcements; communicate with applicants and prepare offers/terms of employment.
• Collect and research background information; update organization charts and staffing tables; draft correspondence, reports and statistics related to all human resources functions, as appropriate.
• Review, maintain and update confidential personnel information, records and files; ensure completeness and accuracy of records and that follow-up system on actions are taken.
• Investigate and resolve payment inquiries in collaboration with finance staff; prepare payment instructions.
• Train and provide guidance to other human resources support staff in the work unit.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Impact of Work:
• The incumbent's work directly impacts on the smooth operations and the quality of overall output of the work unit. 
• He/she plays a lead role in the provision of human resources support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.

Candidates Will Be Accessed For The Following
Minimum Requirements:

• Education:
  • Secondary School Education.
• Experience:
  • Four years of relevant experience in administrative and human resources support work.
• Languages:
  • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
• IT Skills:
  • Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
• Residency:
  • General Service Staff are recruited locally. 
• To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. 

"Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
Competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills:

• Very good knowledge of the essential elements of human resources activities and transactions, including corporate policies, rules and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of relevant corporate computerized administrative systems.
• Good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:

• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of French 
• Very Good knowledge of staff rules and regulations, HR policies and procedures of the UN Common System.
• HR data analysis and reporting experience.
• Very good knowledge of ERP HR applications (i.e. Oracle, SAP).
• Experience in a multicultural and a fast-paced working environment
• Ability to do things very carefully, with great attention to detail and take proactive follow-up actions to achieve team objectives.