DRC: Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist

May 30, 2022 | Management and Engineering Technologies International Inc
View Original

Management and Engineering Technologies International Inc., in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), as a part of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (USAID/CARPE), may require the services of a Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist to help administer its USAID/CARPE-funded program and related donor-funded activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Job Description

Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs, may require the services of a Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist to provide technical support in designing and implementing project activities related to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Background

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as one of the world’s least developed countries and part of the world’s second largest rainforest ecosystem, presents a critical challenge and opportunity for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation. Since 2007, USFS has worked to support the sustainable management of forests in the DRC as part of USAID/CARPE as well as other regional U.S. government programs. Drawing on a range of expertise covering the many dimensions of forest, resource and land management, USFS works in Central Africa with partners on land use planning and forest zoning, forest inventory and monitoring, fire and rangeland management, community forestry, ecotourism, illegal logging and capacity development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Gabon.

In DRC, one of USFS’s roles is providing technical support to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) on community forestry, forest inventory and forest monitoring, land use planning and other technical issues so that the DRC can pursue its development objectives while meeting its commitments to sustainable forest management at local, national, regional, and international levels.
The USFS may seek a full-time Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist, based in Kinshasa, to help administer its USAID/CARPE-funded program and related donor-funded activities in coordination with other USFS International Programs management staff.

Position Description:

The Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist will work with the broader U.S. Forest Service International Programs Central Africa team to design and implement programs in the DRC.

Core duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Initiate and participate in national discussions on sustainable forest management, forest conservation, community forestry, forest landscape restoration, afforestation and reforestation programs;
• Provide technical support to key government partners responding to specific technical assistance requests and needs, including, but not limited to backstopping national processes and providing trainings and workshops;
• Support the implementation of community forestry, sustainable forest management, and protected area management and forest landscape restoration activities in DRC, including but not limited to the USAID/CARPE program;
• Facilitate program activity planning, logistics, implementation and reporting;
• Work closely with local communities, state services, partner civil society organizations to ensure mobilization of stakeholders to achieve project results;
• As needed, support the development of project concept notes and proposals for new programs and attracting investments in sustainable forest management, community forestry, protected area management and forest landscape restoration;
• Represent the U.S. Forest Service at technical and partner meetings at national and international forums.

Specific focus and engagement of the Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist will be determined by evolving programming and partner needs in the DRC.

Qualifications:

The applicant must meet the following minimum professional qualifications to be considered for the position:

• A bachelor’s or master's degree (preferred) or equivalent experience in natural resource management, environmental science, forest conservation or a related field;
• At least five years of experience in a natural resource or environment-related field, preferably related to community-based natural resource management, sustainable forest management, protected area management, and forest governance;
• Knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to community forestry, sustainable forest management, protected area management, and forest landscape restoration in the DRC;
• Experience working with international partners or donors preferred with a strong preference to candidates with prior experience working with US government agencies and development organizations such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) or the Department of State (DOS);
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages, and varying capacity levels;
• Experience working with national governmental technical agencies, civil society organizations, and other international technical partners (preferred);
• Strong program management and organizational skills including concept note development and donor reporting;
• Strong representational, inter-personal and communication skills;
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office and database management (required) and GIS (preferred);
• Experience living and working in Central Africa/DRC (strongly preferred);
• Experience working in the field with rural communities and local government authorities for potentially extended periods of time;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English (required); and Lingala and Swahili (preferred);

• Location: The position would be based in Kinshasa, DRC with travel nationally as needed.
• Period of Performance: One year with the possibility of extension
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
• To Apply: Apply by June 15th, 2022

If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through a contractor.

Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to METI with the subject Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management Specialist by June 15, 2022 at the link below. Please reach out to asaracina@meticorp.com with any questions. 

METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer: www.meticorp.com