Management & Engineering Technologies International, Inc.
Forest Governance Technical Advisor in Papua New Guinea (Based in Port Moresby)
Management & Engineering Technologies International, Inc., Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Program Title:
Strengthening Forest Governance in Papua New Guinea Implementing Entity:
United States Forest Service Program End Date:
September 30, 2025
Program Background and Rationale: The US Forest Service (USFS) manages 174 national forests and grasslands (approximately 80 million hectares) to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands. The Agency's Office of International Programs (IP) leverages the 35,000-person USFS workforce to support international cooperation on natural resource management and disaster response. USFS currently implements programs in 96 countries in partnership with the US Department of State (DOS) and US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Papua New Guinea (PNG) forestry sector is a major contributor to the country's economy and the Government of PNG (GoPNG) has committed to building a forestry sector that is sustainable and highly profitable. This commitment is reflected in its Medium-Term Development Plan and its Vision 2050, which include action items such as: Decreasing unprocessed round log exports from natural forests to 50% by 2025; Increasing domestic onshore processing (such as sawn timber, plywood, and veneer) by 50% by 2025; Expanding forest plantation areas to 800,000 hectares by 2050; Increasing landowners' and provincial governments' participation in forestry activities; Assessing how the management of PNG's forests can contribute meaningfully to climate change issues. As part of this vision, PNG is working to upgrade the timber sector so that forests are maintained to provide benefits into the future. Developing a trusted "PNG-Brand", and subsequently broadening PNG's international market for domestically processed wood products is part of this vision. A USFS Forest Governance Technical Advisor could play a useful role to support PNG in strengthening their forest sector objectives. This could include helping PNG operationalize their Timber Legality Standard (TLS), Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS), and any related certification system; capacity building on the collection, storage, and reporting of monitoring data; adapting and strengthening compliance checks, and law enforcement actions. Program Description In collaboration with the US Department of State, USFS proposes to expand the Technical Advisors Program in the Asia-Pacific region to include Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Technical Advisors Program aims to enhance the capabilities of key government partners by providing technical cooperation and supporting capacity building activities. The Technical Advisor will provide long-term, bilateral technical assistance that is highly customized to the Government of PNG's priorities to promote forest product legality and sustainable forest management in PNG. By the end of the program, the Technical Advisor will have developed and supported the implementation of strategies to enhance forest governance, monitoring, compliance, and enforcement. The following short-term objectives will support the achievement of this goal: Objective 1:
Provide long-term, customized technical assistance on forest governance through the placement of a Forest Governance Technical Advisor (FGTA) in Papua New Guinea; Objective 2:
Amplify the impacts of the technical assistance provided by the FGTA through the implementation of capacity building activities in Papua New Guinea; Objective 3:
Produce recommendations for PNGFA and the US Government's strategic engagement in forest governance beyond the end of the tenure of the FGTA in Papua New Guinea. The focus of the FGTA's work will be to support priority technical areas identified by the Government of PNG. The FGTA will support one or more focus areas and will leverage USFS Subject Matter Experts, US-based USFS/IP Program Managers, and PNG &/or international consultants as needed. Focal Area 1:
Strengthen remote detection and field-level compliance with the TLS. Duties may include: Support PNGFA to develop data-driven monitoring and enforcement strategies; Support improved remote sensing technology and monitoring surveillance systems; Assist PNGFA to develop field protocols for assessing compliance with the PNG Timber Legality Standard (TLS). Focal Area 2:
Support development of the PNG Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS). Duties may include: Assist PNGFA to develop technical requirements to capture metrics associated with the TLS indicators; Support PNGFA in their development of a timber traceability system; Promote communication among impacted parties regarding the TLVS. Focal Area 3:
Promote downstream processing and the international marketability of PNG products. Duties may include: Work closely with PNGFA to enhance awareness of regulations and requirements of international markets; Support PNGFA in the development of a "PNG Brand" that complies with international requirements. Focal Area 4:
Strengthen cooperation mechanisms between government agencies in PNG. Duties may include: Support the PNGFA in relationship building between government agencies related to the TLS, TLVS, and associated regulatory authorities; Support PNGFA in the development of public relations strategies. Focal Area 5:
Strengthen cooperation among other donor projects in the Forest Governance space. Duties may include: Coordinate with USAID Sustainable Landscape project; Collaborate with JICA's work with PNGFA on revisions to the Logging Code of Practice. Forest Governance Technical Advisor Qualifications: The FGTA will serve as a senior-level advisor to facilitate bilateral cooperation on technical assistance, information exchange, policy recommendations, and other activities related to strengthening forest governance within Papua New Guinea. A minimum of 15 years of monitoring, compliance, law enforcement, policy, regulatory, and/or legal experience in the fields of forestry, land management, natural resources, and/or international trade; Extensive knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to forestry; Knowledge of emerging technologies used for mapping and monitoring land cover change; Excellent written and oral communication skills; Language skills: English- fluent spoken, written. Salary:
Salary will be commensurate with experience and will be at the GS 13/14 equivalent level. Location:
The FGTA position will be based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The first 1-3 months can be remote based if necessary. Period of Performance:
The tenure of the FGTA is estimated to be a continuous 28-month period. To express interest in this position, please apply with this link- https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/75219875 by January 31, 2024. If you have any questions or issues, send an email to Ms. Allison Saracina at:
Allison.Saracina@usda.gov . METI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse communities we serve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Strengthening Forest Governance in Papua New Guinea Implementing Entity:
United States Forest Service Program End Date:
September 30, 2025
Program Background and Rationale: The US Forest Service (USFS) manages 174 national forests and grasslands (approximately 80 million hectares) to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands. The Agency's Office of International Programs (IP) leverages the 35,000-person USFS workforce to support international cooperation on natural resource management and disaster response. USFS currently implements programs in 96 countries in partnership with the US Department of State (DOS) and US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Papua New Guinea (PNG) forestry sector is a major contributor to the country's economy and the Government of PNG (GoPNG) has committed to building a forestry sector that is sustainable and highly profitable. This commitment is reflected in its Medium-Term Development Plan and its Vision 2050, which include action items such as: Decreasing unprocessed round log exports from natural forests to 50% by 2025; Increasing domestic onshore processing (such as sawn timber, plywood, and veneer) by 50% by 2025; Expanding forest plantation areas to 800,000 hectares by 2050; Increasing landowners' and provincial governments' participation in forestry activities; Assessing how the management of PNG's forests can contribute meaningfully to climate change issues. As part of this vision, PNG is working to upgrade the timber sector so that forests are maintained to provide benefits into the future. Developing a trusted "PNG-Brand", and subsequently broadening PNG's international market for domestically processed wood products is part of this vision. A USFS Forest Governance Technical Advisor could play a useful role to support PNG in strengthening their forest sector objectives. This could include helping PNG operationalize their Timber Legality Standard (TLS), Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS), and any related certification system; capacity building on the collection, storage, and reporting of monitoring data; adapting and strengthening compliance checks, and law enforcement actions. Program Description In collaboration with the US Department of State, USFS proposes to expand the Technical Advisors Program in the Asia-Pacific region to include Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Technical Advisors Program aims to enhance the capabilities of key government partners by providing technical cooperation and supporting capacity building activities. The Technical Advisor will provide long-term, bilateral technical assistance that is highly customized to the Government of PNG's priorities to promote forest product legality and sustainable forest management in PNG. By the end of the program, the Technical Advisor will have developed and supported the implementation of strategies to enhance forest governance, monitoring, compliance, and enforcement. The following short-term objectives will support the achievement of this goal: Objective 1:
Provide long-term, customized technical assistance on forest governance through the placement of a Forest Governance Technical Advisor (FGTA) in Papua New Guinea; Objective 2:
Amplify the impacts of the technical assistance provided by the FGTA through the implementation of capacity building activities in Papua New Guinea; Objective 3:
Produce recommendations for PNGFA and the US Government's strategic engagement in forest governance beyond the end of the tenure of the FGTA in Papua New Guinea. The focus of the FGTA's work will be to support priority technical areas identified by the Government of PNG. The FGTA will support one or more focus areas and will leverage USFS Subject Matter Experts, US-based USFS/IP Program Managers, and PNG &/or international consultants as needed. Focal Area 1:
Strengthen remote detection and field-level compliance with the TLS. Duties may include: Support PNGFA to develop data-driven monitoring and enforcement strategies; Support improved remote sensing technology and monitoring surveillance systems; Assist PNGFA to develop field protocols for assessing compliance with the PNG Timber Legality Standard (TLS). Focal Area 2:
Support development of the PNG Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS). Duties may include: Assist PNGFA to develop technical requirements to capture metrics associated with the TLS indicators; Support PNGFA in their development of a timber traceability system; Promote communication among impacted parties regarding the TLVS. Focal Area 3:
Promote downstream processing and the international marketability of PNG products. Duties may include: Work closely with PNGFA to enhance awareness of regulations and requirements of international markets; Support PNGFA in the development of a "PNG Brand" that complies with international requirements. Focal Area 4:
Strengthen cooperation mechanisms between government agencies in PNG. Duties may include: Support the PNGFA in relationship building between government agencies related to the TLS, TLVS, and associated regulatory authorities; Support PNGFA in the development of public relations strategies. Focal Area 5:
Strengthen cooperation among other donor projects in the Forest Governance space. Duties may include: Coordinate with USAID Sustainable Landscape project; Collaborate with JICA's work with PNGFA on revisions to the Logging Code of Practice. Forest Governance Technical Advisor Qualifications: The FGTA will serve as a senior-level advisor to facilitate bilateral cooperation on technical assistance, information exchange, policy recommendations, and other activities related to strengthening forest governance within Papua New Guinea. A minimum of 15 years of monitoring, compliance, law enforcement, policy, regulatory, and/or legal experience in the fields of forestry, land management, natural resources, and/or international trade; Extensive knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to forestry; Knowledge of emerging technologies used for mapping and monitoring land cover change; Excellent written and oral communication skills; Language skills: English- fluent spoken, written. Salary:
Salary will be commensurate with experience and will be at the GS 13/14 equivalent level. Location:
The FGTA position will be based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The first 1-3 months can be remote based if necessary. Period of Performance:
The tenure of the FGTA is estimated to be a continuous 28-month period. To express interest in this position, please apply with this link- https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/75219875 by January 31, 2024. If you have any questions or issues, send an email to Ms. Allison Saracina at:
Allison.Saracina@usda.gov . METI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse communities we serve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr