About the opportunity
The Senior Forestry Officer (Forest Foods, Nutrition and Wildlife) will be located in the Forestry Division (NFO) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Reporting to the Deputy Director of NFO, the successful candidate will provide global technical leadership for FAO’s normative work on the contribution of forests, forest foods, and sustainably managed wild species to food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience. Key responsibilities include leading FAO’s engagement in international policy processes, providing technical support to member countries, managing strategic partnerships, serving as Secretary of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), and leading resource mobilization and project formulation.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive compensation and benefits package based on UN salaries and allowances
- Dependency allowances
- Rental subsidy
- Education grant for children
- Home leave travel
- 30 working days of annual leave per year
- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
- International health insurance and optional life insurance
- Disability protection
- Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in forest, agriculture, natural resources management, ecosystem biodiversity management, or social sciences (including political sciences or economics)
- At least ten years of relevant experience in forestry, sustainable wildlife management, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, forest-based food systems, or related areas
- Relevant experience in developing countries and/or countries in transition
- Working knowledge (level C, proficient) of English
- Intermediate knowledge (level B, intermediate proficiency) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish)
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential
Required documents
- Completed online profile on the FAO recruitment portal
- Letter of motivation attached to the online profile
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization for verification checks (past/present work, character, education, military, and police records)
When to apply
- Applications open: September 2, 2026
- Application deadline: September 23, 2026, at 9:59:00 PM (based on the candidate's personal device time settings)
How to apply
- Visit the FAO recruitment website and complete your online profile, ensuring employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills are accurate and complete.
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile.
- Submit your completed application through the FAO recruitment portal before the deadline.
- Note: Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
Additional information
- FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), updated by the IAU/UNESCO.
- Qualifications should align with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
- The appointment is subject to medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
- The initial appointment is for a fixed-term of two years with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds.
- FAO is a non-smoking environment.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experts with an advanced degree and at least 10 years of experience in forestry, wildlife management, or biodiversity conservation.
- Candidates with proven experience in developing countries or countries in transition.
- Professionals who have worked in multiple locations and possess strong field experience.
- Individuals with Level C English proficiency and Level B in another official FAO language.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a two-year fixed-term staff position based in Rome, Italy.
- The role involves high-level policy engagement and managing the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management.
- Candidates must be prepared for rigorous background and reference checks.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position is designed for a seasoned forestry leader who wants to influence global policy on food security and sustainable wildlife management. It offers a platform to lead normative work and resource mobilization at the highest level, making it a perfect fit for someone looking to leave a lasting impact on international forestry and nutrition standards.
Our take
Senior forestry and natural resource professionals with extensive international experience should consider this role as a major step in their career, provided they are ready for the demands of global policy leadership.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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