Job description

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Technical Cooperation Programme with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provides technical and advisory support to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) in the implementation of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (SRAD) and related initiatives. Under Component 9 of the SRAD Programme, which focuses on strengthening national capacities in the sustainable management of rangelands, forests, and natural resources, FAO supports the development of knowledge, monitoring systems, and technical tools to enhance evidence-based planning and decision-making.

As part of these efforts, FAO has supported the implementation of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which represents the first comprehensive national assessment of forest resources in the country. The NFI provides essential information on forest extent, composition, condition, biomass, carbon stocks, biodiversity, and forest health, supporting evidence-based decision-making, national reporting obligations, and long-term forest monitoring.

To support the completion, validation, reporting, and dissemination of the National Forest Inventory, FAO seeks to recruit an international National Forest Inventory (NFI) Expert. The expert will provide technical leadership and specialized support for the review, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and dissemination of NFI results, while facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity development for NCVC and relevant stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

The National Forest Inventory Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Programme Director in Saudi Arabia and the direct technical supervision of the Natural Resources Management Chief Technical Advisor. The expert will work closely with FAO teams and NCVC technical counterparts, and other national and international experts involved in the implementation of the National Forest Inventory.

Technical Focus

The NFI Expert will provide technical support to the completion and dissemination of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The expert will lead the review, validation, analysis, and interpretation of NFI data and contribute to the finalization of the NFI Database Report, Methodology Report, and National Results Report. The expert will also support the preparation and validation of complementary technical outputs, including NFI indicators, maps, figures, and knowledge products, and support organization of NFI results validation and dissemination workshops

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review and finalize the cleaned and validated National Forest Inventory database and ensure consistency of all datasets used in the final reporting process.
• Lead the technical analysis and interpretation of NFI results and support the preparation of key indicators related to forest area, forest cover, species composition, regeneration, biomass, carbon stock, biodiversity, and forest health.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Database Report, including documentation of data structure, quality control procedures, metadata, and data management protocols.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Methodology Report, including sampling design, field protocols, data collection procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and analytical approaches.
• Draft the National Forest Inventory Results Report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including statistical analysis, interpretation of findings, maps, charts, tables, and technical annexes.
• Collaborate with the FAO geospatial team in reviewing and validating all maps, figures, dashboards, and visual products included in the NFI reports.
• Prepare technical presentations, briefing notes, and communication materials summarizing key NFI findings for decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Design and deliver a National Workshop on NFI Results validation and Dissemination, including presentation of key findings, lessons learned, policy implications, and recommendations for future forest monitoring activities.
• Provide technical advice and support during workshop discussions, and review meetings related to the NFI outputs.
• Support knowledge transfer and handover of methodologies, analytical procedures, databases, and reporting tools to NCVC and FAO technical teams.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• For COF: Advanced university degree (MSc or PhD) in Forestry, Forest Inventory, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Forest Biometrics, Forestry Statistics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
• For PSA.SBS: University degree or specific technical specialization in Forestry, Forest Inventory, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Forest Biometrics, Forestry Statistics, or a related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in forest inventory design, implementation, analysis, reporting, and forest resource assessment.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in National Forest Inventory implementation and reporting.
• Experience in forest inventory databases, quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Experience in forest statistics, sampling methodologies, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis tools.
• Experience in capacity development, training delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
• Previous experience working with FAO, governmental institutions, or international organizations is desirable.

Selection Criteria

• A limited knowledge (level B) of Arabic will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of National Forest Inventory reports and forest monitoring systems.
• Experience in forest biomass and carbon estimation, statistical analysis, and forest-related indicators.
• Working knowledge of GIS and forest inventory databases
• Extent and relevance of experience in the design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of National Forest Inventories or comparable large-scale forest resource assessments.
• Extent and relevance of experience in forest biomass, carbon stock estimation, forest health assessment, biodiversity indicators, and sustainable forest management monitoring.
• Proven experience in preparing technical reports, inventory methodologies, databases, and national forest assessment publications.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of forest inventory databases, data quality assurance/quality control procedures, and data management systems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in GIS and spatial analysis applied to forest resource assessment and monitoring.
• Experience in designing and delivering technical training, workshops, and capacity-building activities for government institutions and technical stakeholders.
• Previous experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or donor-funded forestry and natural resource management projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments and to coordinate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of dryland forestry, arid ecosystems, and forest monitoring challenges in the Near East region will be considered an asset.
• Previous experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region will be considered an advantage.

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

1+ years

Degree

Bachelor's degree / higher diploma