Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems

UNDP; Bonn; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UNDP in Bonn, Germany seeks a Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems to lead the Planet Hub pillar, coordinating policy and programming across regions. You will guide strategy, oversee planning, and ensure coherent support to national offices, driving sustainable land management and biodiversity outcomes.

You will lead integrated technical support, foster partnerships, and oversee budgeting, reporting, and knowledge management within a dynamic UN system. Fluency in English is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• 10–12 years international experience in Forests, Land Use and Food Systems.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; other UN languages are assets.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems Pillar within the Planet Hub.
• Coordinate policy and programming delivery across regions and countries.
• Lead planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of portfolio activities.
• Engage stakeholders, manage partnerships and support resource mobilization.

Skills

Achieve Results

Think Innovatively

Learn Continuously

Adapt with Agility

Act with Determination

Engage and Partner

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Two additional years qualifying experience with first-level degree

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization driving sustainable development and integrating collective action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), the newly established Planet Hub focuses on aligning policy, finance, and solutions for thriving economies and ecosystems. The Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems role sits within this Hub, reporting to the Director.

Job purpose: This role serves to advance UNDP's Strategic Plan by leading the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems portfolio within the Planet Hub. The Head will coordinate the delivery of the Hub's strategy across policy and programming, ensuring coherent and effective support to regional bureaus and countries. The position is crucial for integrating sustainable land management, forest conservation, food systems transformation, and resilient landscapes to address global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. The incumbent will foster collaboration, drive policy development, and oversee program implementation to achieve tangible results in sustainable human development, aligning with UNDP's portfolio approach to adapt to evolving business needs and leverage inter-unit linkages.

Responsibilities: The Head of Forests, Land Use & Food Systems will provide substantive leadership and managerial oversight for the Forests, Land Use & Food Systems Pillar, ensuring coherent support to countries and regional bureaus. This includes guiding policy and programming frameworks, managing the portfolio's planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, and supervising team leads. The role involves fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, establishing monitoring systems for global impacts, and participating in the Planet Hub Leadership Team. Key responsibilities also include overseeing corporate policy positions, leading integrated technical support, managing programming and operational aspects, supporting pipeline development, and efficiently managing financial resources. Additionally, the Head will drive thought leadership, knowledge management, and cross-organization learning, analyze global trends, and represent UNDP in relevant forums, while also supporting resource mobilization and developing strategic partnerships with diverse entities.

Education: An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) or a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience is required. Preferred fields include Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, International Development, Economics, or Public Administration. Fluency in English is mandatory, with other UN languages being an asset.

Work experience: A minimum of 10 years (master's degree) or 12 years (bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible international experience in Forests, Land Use, and Food Systems is required. This includes extensive field experience in sustainable land management, forest conservation, landscape approaches, sustainable agriculture, and food systems transformation in developing countries. Experience with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD) and managing large-scale programs is essential. Experience in business systems, HR management, and budgeting is also required.

Skills: Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Technical Competencies: System Thinking, Partnerships Management, Result-based Management, Portfolio Management, UNDP Representation.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: