Jobs at: Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)

Vacancy title: Consultant Training Needs Assessment

Deadline of this Job: 1.00 pm on the 30th September 2016.

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Job details: Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO‘s efforts — to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Our three main goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all: and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations. The FAO Representation in Uganda would like to recruit consultants to support its projects as follows;

Vacancy Announcement NO: FRUGA/01/SPGSIII/16
Post Title: Consultant Training Needs Assessment
Duty Station: Kampala Uganda
Type of Contract: Service Contract (SC)
Expected Start Date: October 2016
Duration of the Assignment: 35 working days spread over three months (Oct-Dec 2016)

General Description of task(s) and objectives to he achieved
The Sawlog Production Grant Scheme Phase III (SPGS III) is a Government of Uganda project funded by the European Union and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The goal of the project is to increase incomes of the rural population through commercial tree planting by medium and large scale private sector actors and the local communities while at the same time helping to mitigate climate change effects through intensive afforestation. The purpose is to increase the sustainable supply of high quality sawlogs (timber and poles) produced by the private sector, and expand processing and utilization of forest products. In consolidation of what was initiated under SPGS I and SPGS II which had similar goal and objectives, SPGSIII is hinged around tour outcome areas:

Outcome 1- Commercial plantations developed to acceptable national Standards
Outcome 2- Forestry stakeholders better capable of performing their Mandates
Outcome 3- Downstream industrialization of processing and utilization of forest products enhanced
Outcome 4- Applied research and development integrated along the forestry value chain.

During SPGS I and II, strategies for capacity building were developed which included 1) practical field trainings, 2) regional study tours and exchange visits, 3) short term industrial attachments, 4) subscription to technical publications, and 5) onsite technical advice among others. Despite the notable improvement in level of skills within the commercial forestry sector, there still exists a skills gap, most especially within the downstream value chain (processing, value addition and markets).

In order to effectively deliver on the project's purpose of support to private sector to establish commercial forest plantations and ensure downstream processing and utilization efficiency of forest resources (timber, poles, wood energy/biomass), FAO wishes to hire the service of a consultant to undertake a training needs assessment to identify key technical and functional capacity gaps within the sector, prioritize key training needs and develop a training plan for SPGS lll.

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative (FAOR) in Uganda, and the technical guidance of the SPGS lll Projector Coordinator supported by the Project Officer/Training and Research, the Consultant will identify key technical and functional capacity gaps and training needs to achieve the project's objective from among:

Staff and key stakeholders in the commercial forestry sector:

• Identify and document the training and skills requirements/needs; 
• Identify and document the shortcomings from existing staff and stakeholders; and 
• Identify and analyze the gaps in terms of skills and education related commercial forestry. 

Institutions that train professional and technical staff in forestry (e.g. Nyabyeya college, Makerere University, etc):

• Identify how they establish the knowledge and skills requirements to fit with demand of commercial forestry sector; 
• Identify and evaluate the adequacy of these institutions in their curricula covering commercial forestry sector; 
• Evaluate the content of the forestry curricula in professional and technical institutions in relation to the identified needs and emerging trends in the commercial forestry.

Existing in-country capacity building initiatives for professional and technical training related to forestry, with locus on plantation forestry/commercial forestry, etc;

• Identify, assess and analyze in-country capacity building initiatives for E professional and technical training related to commercial forestry priorities and needs; 
• Identify and evaluate policy and institutional challenges at all levels to enhance capacity building of the identified forestry training institutions (and their enabling environment) to match with current need for commercial forestry. 

Academic qualifications, experience and required competencies Education background:

• Have at least a Master's degree in forestry, natural resource management, environment management, or any other related field. A PhD will be an added advantage. 
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in a commercial forestry environment or in other big development programme. Knowledge and understanding of the forestry industry in Uganda is an added advantage. 
• Proven record in capacity development strategy i.e. capacity development assessment and training needs assessment, forestry education and training, preferably in East Africa/Africa. Have written at least a training manual. 
• Excellent written, facilitation and verbal communication skills in English. 
• Ability to work under pressure and keep to deadlines. 

Job application procedure Candidates who meet the requirements above are requested to submit applications together with a completed FAO Personal Profile Form that can be accessed via http://www.fao.org/empIoyment/recruitment-access/en/ quoting Vacancy Announcement no. and other support documents addressed to The Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uganda at Plot 88 Buganda Road, Wandegeya, Kampala. Applications can also be sent to HR-Uganda@fao.org. Deadline for applications is 1.00 pm on the 30th September 2016.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Note: FAO does not charge applicants any tees at any stage in the recruitment process.