National Forest Inventory Expert

The National Forest Inventory Expert will provide technical leadership and specialized support for the review, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and dissemination of National Forest Inventory results in Saudi Arabia. The expert will also facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity development for relevant stakeholders.

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

• Forest Inventory Design
• Forest Inventory Implementation
• Forest Inventory Reporting
• Forest Resources Assessment
• Forest Biometrics
• Forest Statistics
• Sampling Methodologies
• Data Analysis
• National Forest Inventories
• Forest Inventory Databases
• Quality Assurance
• Quality Control
• GIS
• Spatial Analysis
• Capacity Development
• Training Delivery
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Forest Biomass Estimation
• Carbon Stock Estimation
• Forest Health Assessment
• Biodiversity Indicators
• Sustainable Forest Management
• Technical Report Preparation
• Data Management

Languages

English