Forest strategy technical assistant

The Société Forestière is a specialized subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), which is a French public institution established in 1816. The CDC plays a significant role in France's economic development by managing various savings funds and investing in projects of general interest.

The Société Forestière focuses on sustainable forest management. Its mission is to manage the forest and land assets entrusted to it by optimizing the economic, environmental, and social value of these natural spaces. The Société Forestière is also called upon to advise international funders on forest development matters.

 Location : Chisinau, Moldova. Based in the office of Ministry of Environment of Moldova 

Contract Duration : Full time or part time possible - 1 year, renewable based on needs and results

Context :

Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Moldova (GoM) and the French Development Agency (AFD) have chosen to jointly undertake a Policy Based Lending (PBL) scheme to support GoM’s reform efforts to strengthen the forestry sector. These reform endeavours were jointly developed in the form of Policy Reform Measures (PRMs) contained in a Reform program proposed by the Société Forestière and approved by Government of the Republic of Moldova. 

Some specific milestones will trigger disbursements. The milestones are organized around six broad Policy Reform Measures (PRM) that form the objectives for Phase 1 (2024-2025) in the Policy Matrix :

• Adoption of the new Forest Code
• Institutional Reform
• Promotion of biodiversity, carbon capture and adaptation to climate change
• Promotion of sustainable forest-based economic developmen
• Implementation of the National Afforestation Programme
• Enhancement of national capacity in forest management

To facilitate and boost the implementation of the reform agreed under the program, the Société Forestière will provide technical assistance as far as is needed and possible. The goal is that all 19 reforms of the programme should be progressively implemented over the period 2024-2029. 

The technical assistance team lead by the Société Forestière will report to a Programme Steering Committee whose members are Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Finance and French Development Agency. 

The National Technical Assistant will be part of this multidisciplinary team (including a project manager based in Paris). She/he will be based in Chisinau within the Ministry of Environment, and her/his role will be strategic to ensure :

• a good comprehension of technical assistance needs of Ministry of Environment in implementing the reform programme,
• providing a public policy expertise and capacity building to the Ministry of Environment and other public stakeholders,
• communication and cooperation between Ministry of environment and others stakeholders of the forestry sector (Moldsilva, other donors, etc.).

 Key Responsibilities :

1. Liaison and Coordination:
   • Work closely with the State Secretary of Environment.
   • Act as the main contact point between the Moldovan Ministry of Environment and the Société Forestière.
2. Needs Assessment:
   • Identify and gather expertise needs from the Ministry for the effective implementation of reforms and/or projects.
   • Prepare TORs (terms of reference) for technical assistance experts. 
3. Research and Studies:
   • Conduct research and studies related to the reform program.
   • Prepare and/or review TORs for studies, assessments and consultancies as required to implement the reform programme.
   • Assist the government in identifying and contracting the needed expertise.
4. Reporting:
   • Ensure for Ministry of Environment the reporting of the implementation of the assignments.
   • Regularly report to the Société Forestière on the progress in the field (every week by videoconference).
   • Co-produce with Société Forestière the reports for the Programme Steering Committee (including monitoring of the implementation of the reform, and evaluation of the impacts of the reform).
5. General Secretariat and Logistics:
   • Coordinate and organize various meetings, expert missions, study trips, and field visits.

Qualifications and Skills :

• Advanced degree and/or experience in project management, international development, or related fields.
• Sensitization of forestry and environmental issues
• Minimum of 5 years of experience, including international experience or development project management.
• Well-versed in public policy.
• Proficiency in English and Romanian.
• Excellent communication, organization, and coordination skills.
• Ability to effectively interact with different national and international stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset, autonomy, and teamwork capability.

Conditions :

• Position based in Chisinau, in the office of Ministry of Environment.
• Competitive remuneration.
• Travel to the field in Moldova. One or two business trips in Paris could be required.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to xavier.baumont@forestiere-cdc.fr and kevin.brice@forestiere-cdc.fr 

Application deadline: [December 2024].

Immediate start date.

Société Forestière is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and minority group members.