Open Source GIS and Remote Sensing specialists for FAO

The “National Forest Monitoring and Information System for a transparent and truthful REDD+” project aims to directly support the UNFCCC REDD+ readiness process in eighteen developing countries (Algeria , Argentina , Bhutan , Chile , Colombia , Ghana , Kyrgyzstan , Lao PDR , Morocco , Mozambique , Peru , Philippines , South Africa , Tajikistan , Thailand , Tunisia , Uruguay , Zambia) and to develop free tools for forest monitoring that could be used by other developing countries. The project, through experience sharing, knowledge transfer and capacity development, will support the establishment of key elements of national forest monitoring systems for REDD+, compliant with REDD+ requirements.

Under the direct supervision of the responsible Forestry Officer and the project budget holder, the consultant will achieve the following tasks.

•  Training of teams of country experts on the use of Remote Sensing and GIS techniques for forest monitoring
•  Advise in the setting up or further developing of RS-GIS laboratories in the selected countries
•  Support in the development of specific open-source software tools and country-specific methodologies and procedures to assess forest canopy changes and to monitor forestry and REDD-plus activities

•  Supervision of the development of geospatial web-GIS portals: equipment purchase and arrangement
• Assistance in the operationalization of in-country forest monitoring systems
•  Coordination of junior consultants and local personnel

Minimum Requeriments

•  Advanced university degree in natural resources with focus on climate change
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in climate change and related topics such as natural resource management
•  Fluent in English and working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian
• Work experience in more than one location or area of world, particularly field positions in Africa, Asia or Latin America
•  Experience in providing support to implementation of REDD+ or other climate change programmes

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

•  Experience with free and open source GIS and remote sensing software
•  Capacity building of national and/or local institutions