To achieve its mission the FCLP members intend to:
Maintain high-level political attention on forests and climate;
Provide their combined political support to accelerate and scale implementation of a prioritized number of Policy Action Areas;
Support implementation of the participating countries’ self-determined national goals and encourage all countries to be even more ambitious over time; and
Demonstrate impact and be answerable for commitments made.
The FCLP is supported by a Secretariat, managed by a Director and two Deputy Directors. The Deputy Programme Director, to whom this Terms of Reference refers, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Secretariat’s internal operations and the governance of the Partnership. The other Deputy Director is responsible for policy and substantive Coordination.
Leadership
Represent the FCLP and FCLP Secretariat on behalf of the Programme Director in meetings and to external partners, including internationally and at senior levels, as determined by the Programme Director.
Provide vision and inspiring leadership to Secretariat sub-teams, as part of Senior Management Team.
Lead and manage the FCLP Secretariat sub-teams, ensuring that the agreed work plan is delivered to a high quality and within budget.
Lead and manage a diverse FCLP sub-teams including staff, consultants and secondees, ensuring effective division of labor and managing the teams to deliver high impact results.
Report to the Programme Director regularly, and as required, on progress and strategy, thereby supporting transparency and accountability of the FCLP Secretariat to its members.
As required by the Programme Director, report directly to members on progress and strategy on areas of responsibility.
Create an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion and a culture of respect towards colleagues at all levels.
Take part in regular Senior Management Team meetings, contributing to the creation and development of a healthy working environment for all team members.
Programme Delivery & Political Engagement
Coordinate operational delivery of the two-year (2025 and 2026) FCLP Strategy leading up to COP31 in Australia, which includes key milestones for COP30 in Belém, approved by the Steering Committee.
Ensure day to day management of the Secretariat, allocating resources effectively and working in partnership with relevant international organizations to support delivery and ambition of members.
Facilitate the delivery of specific initiatives, supporting co-leads of the respective pillars and workstreams to ensure smooth execution and operational impact.
Monitor activities of the Secretariat to ensure work aligns with the approved work plan and strategy, addressing operational challenges as they arise.
Plan and manage events at UN Climate Change Conferences and other events as needed (e.g. CBD COPs, UNGA, etc.), overseeing logistics and coordination.
Provide advice to the Programme Director on operational and management matters related to the delivery of strategy.
Partnership Management and Governance
Ensure quality and integrity of Secretariat services
Ensure that the FCLP governance and procedures (e.g. on transparency and decision-making) are fit for purpose, facilitating updates as needed by the Steering Committee, and ensure that these procedures are followed.
Oversee and direct the Secretariat sub-teams in their reporting to FCLP Steering Committee and co-chairs, ensuring that they are convened regularly with a clear agenda and high-quality papers, to enable effective decision-making.
Organize meetings of the Steering Committee, the Secretariat Board and member countries at the sherpa and ministerial level.
Ensure that the FCLP member countries remain engaged in and informed about the work of the partnership and are actively involved in delivery and decision-making. Ensure that voices from FCLP members both from the Global North and the Global South are included in the FCLP agenda and priorities.
Establish effective consultation arrangements with partners and non-state actors about the work of the FCLP, including indigenous peoples and local community representation organizations, the scientific community and other stakeholders.
Secretariat Operations Management
Coordinate development and delivery of the Secretariat Workplan and Budget, including resources managed by financial delivery partners, for approval by the Steering Committee, and ensure quarterly reporting.
Develop and implement an internal operations manual and internal control framework, including rules and procedures for staff, decision-making, financial management.
Lead oversight of the budget and ensure transparency and alignment with FCLP objectives and compliance with UNOPS requirements, following agreed procedures for financial decision-making and reporting, including to donors.
Develop and deliver the resource mobilization strategy to ensure the Secretariat has the financial resources needed to deliver its work plan, based on an approved resource mobilization plan, mobilizing resources from governmental and philanthropic donors and other sources of funds as appropriate.
