The USAID Reforestation Project is a five-year environment and food security activity designed to address environmental degradation and loss of tree cover in Haiti. USAID expects this project to reduce the threat of deforestation and increase tree cover in and around targeted areas, in line with USAID/Haiti’s goal of restoring the provision of environmental services in targeted forest areas in support of food security and resilience. The USAID Reforestation Project directly supports and contributes to the Government of Haiti (GOH)-led efforts to manage healthy watersheds and mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change through forestry and land use practices.

Job Summary:
The Forestry and Rural Development Specialist will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and implementation issues in the area of Forestry and Rural Development in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to Country Program (CP) and some regional teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. The incumbent’s advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ Forestry and Rural Development programming is across the globe.

Job Responsibilities:
● Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies and best practices in Forestry and Rural Development that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments.
● Provide technical solutions to mainly CP and some regional teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply standards, guidelines, best practices and tools, helping to ensure high-quality implementation.
● Contribute to, and in some cases lead, the development of the technical design for proposals. Support the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. As needed, act as a technical writer on proposal development teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
● Support capacity strengthening initiatives in Forestry and Rural Development programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching.
● Collect and analyze program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the Forestry and Rural Development learning agenda.
● Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of Forestry and Rural Development to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Scope:
● Not Applicable

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience

● Master's Degree in forestry, natural resources management, agronomy, environmental policy, governance, or another relevant field.
● At least 5 years of relevant experience, including implementation of community-defined natural resource management goals and engagement of government counterparts in coordination, planning, and monitoring.
● Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in Forestry and Rural Development. General knowledge of other related disciplines.
● Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
● Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
● Experience with program monitoring and analysis.
● Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners.
● Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Personal Skills

● Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision
● Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
● Good technical writing skills
● Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
● Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented


Required/Desired Foreign Language: Fluent in French or Haitian Kreyol and English (written and spoken).

Travel Required: Up to 30% Nationally

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory:
Internal:
External:

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
● Serves with Integrity
● Models Stewardship
● Cultivates Constructive Relationships
● Promotes Learning

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

The concerned candidates are asked to send their complete application (cover letter, CV, copy diplomas) confirming the subject " Forestry and Rural Development Specialist

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON PROJECT AWARD AND FUNDING.



CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our engagement to protecting children and vulnerable adults from exploitation and abuse.