Technical Specialist, Forestry
- Andrew Millar
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 27
Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Job Description
Sector: Politics, Government, Public Administration, Think Tanks, Civil Society, NGOs, Charities, Business Chambers & Industry Associations
Overview
Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh
The Technical Specialist, Forest Industry, will support FAO Cambodia in developing the country’s forest industry strategy for production forests.
This role focuses on policy analysis, value chain assessment and investment modelling to strengthen Cambodia’s forestry sector.
The position requires collaboration with government agencies, private sector partners and technical experts to update the national Production Forest Strategic Plan.
Department/Function: Legal, Compliance & Risk Management (Regulatory Affairs, Contract Law, Internal Audit)
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Conduct data collection and analysis on wood product production, consumption, imports and exports.
Assess market demand for certified and sustainable wood products.
Develop economic and financial models to evaluate market prices, carbon credits and investment opportunities.
Analyse the Production Forest Strategic Plan to identify capacity and supply bottlenecks.
Facilitate stakeholder consultations to inform updates to forestry strategies.
Evaluate private sector investment potential in production forests and wood processing.
Prepare clear technical documentation and reports for review by senior officers.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Advanced degree in forestry science, forest economics, environmental science or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years' relevant experience in sustainable forest management, policy analysis or investment modelling.
Proven ability to conduct economic modelling and quantitative research in forestry contexts.
Strong understanding of Cambodia’s forestry sector, including value chains, legal frameworks and market trends.
Proficiency in statistical software such as Excel, R, Stata, SPSS or SAS.
Excellent written and spoken English and Khmer with the ability to draft clear technical documents.
Experience collaborating with government agencies, NGOs and private sector stakeholders.
About Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger and ensure sustainable food systems.
Working at FAO offers opportunities for professional growth and exposure to global best practices in agriculture, forestry and environmental management.
The organisation promotes integrity, diversity and innovation across all its programmes in Cambodia.
Salary Benchmark
(compensation projections based on local market criteria)
USD $2,600 to $4,000 per month, depending on experience*
*For guidance only. Contact the hiring organisation directly for detailed salary information.
Regional Comparison
Cambodia: $2,600 – $4,000
Local UN consultancy bands plus forestry and environmental specialist market data point to upper-mid national rates for technical roles in Phnom Penh.
Laos: $2,200 – $3,500
The neighbouring market shows slightly lower consultant compensation, consistent with national cost structures and NGO or UN project norms.
Myanmar: $2,000 – $3,200
Demand exists but pricing is tempered by programme constraints and operational risk considerations affecting national consultancy budgets.
Thailand: $3,500 – $5,500
A more mature market and higher prevailing consultant pay for environmental roles lift typical bands above CLMV peers.
Vietnam: $3,000 – $4,800
A strong pipeline of projects and competitive hiring for environmental specialists put national consultant pay below Thailand but above Cambodia.
Post Expiry: 25th October 2025