UNDP Jobs

Project Title: UNDP/GEF Project (PIMS 4649): Reducing Pressures on Natural Resources from Competing Land Use in Non-Irrigated Arid Mountain, Semi-Desert and Desert Landscapes of Uzbekistan

Duration of the service: 6 (six) months with possible extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Duty Station: Tashkent city with regular visits to project pilot sites, located in the regions of Uzbekistan.

Reports To: Head of Environment and Energy Unit (EEU)

Objectives of the assignment:

The objective of this preparatory-phase (PPG) project is to develop a Full Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request for a national UNDP/GEF full-size (FS) project in line with programmatic approaches of major Land Degradation Focal Area (LDFA) projects, aiming at arresting and reversing current global trends in land degradation, specifically desertification and deforestation, by promoting and supporting (i) effective policies, legal and regulatory frameworks, (ii) capable institutions, (iii) knowledge sharing and monitoring mechanisms, together with (iv) good practices conducive to sustainable land management (SLM) and that are able to generate global environmental benefits while supporting local and national, social and economic development. To reach that goal, this FS project will contribute to implementaion of the third objective of LDFA of GEF-5 strategy: reduce pressures on natural resources from competing land uses in the wider landscape (LD-3).

The FS project aims to promote integrated management of rangeland and forests at the landscape level (focus on non-irrigated, arid mountain, semi-desert, and desert landscapes) to reduce pressures on natural resources from competing land uses and improve the socio-economic stability of communities.

The PPG will address comments of the GEF Secretariat, STAP, and Council. The PPG activities will take into account the lessons learnt from previous UNDP-GEF projects in Uzbekistan and projects of other agencies and donors relevant to the subject matter of the project. The development of the project will follow the principles of CACILM partnership and priorities. The project’s technical feasibility and economic viability will be assessed, as will the risks associated with its implementation.

This project is in line with the objectives, outcomes and core expected outputs of the Land Degradation Focal Area for GEF-5, specifically with Land Degradation Objective 3 (LD-3). The project also falls under and is in conformity with the aims and priorities of the GEF regional sustainable land management initiative titled “Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management” (CACILM). Experiences and lessons learned will be actively incorporated from existing CACILM projects and activities, both in Uzbekistan, and the region.

The main directions addressed by the project are as follows:

1. To support the Government of Uzbekistan to make effective long-term strategic choices about how best to reform the current outdated approach to land use management in arid desert, steppe and mountains (i.e. pasture and forestry). The key task in this regard is:

• Elaboration / agreement of a long-term national pasture management development policy and national forestry plan (including issues of integration).
• Elaboration of a national fodder production and distribution plan (to address serious winter/autumn fodder deficiencies that limit both intensive and non-intensive livestock production). This needs to be integrated into wider national agricultural planning.

2. To support the Government of Uzbekistan with development of appropriate legal and institutional instruments in order to effectively translate the strategic development policy choices made above into practical results. The key tasks in this regard are:

• Reform (revision / adaption) of key legal instruments and national institutional structures (in accordance with strategic development policies previously elaborated). In particular to bring into the legal and management system the large number of household / dekhan livestock currently not recognized officially and to rationalize the provisions for shirkat and private farmers in order to provide economic incentives for long-term sustainable optimal use of pastures.
• Strengthening of the role of Coordinating Council under State Committee for Land Resources and Geo-Cadastre, responsible for implementation and monitoring of the National Program for Land Monitoring in Uzbekistan.

3. To build management and technical capacity of relevant institutions and individuals at all levels (from national institutions down to district authorities, shirkat and leshoz directors, private farmers, etc.) - this includes:

• Short-term training and experience sharing (study tours) in order to directly facilitate project implementation.
• Long-term strengthening of the relevant national training structures – teachers and curriculums of agrarian and other relevant universities/institutes, regional and district vocational training colleges, etc. in order to build up a national cadre of personnel capable to make reforms really work in practice in the long-term.
• Identify how to best establish effective technical “extension” services (i.e. mechanisms for disseminating fundamental and practical pasture and forestry management knowledge to shirkat staff, private farmers, dekhans and households). In practice this will be tried and tested in the target districts.

4. To test and further develop practical “best practices” for pasture and forestry management in project field sites (i.e. in the selected pilot districts to be identified during project design stage). This part of the project intends to test and demonstrate in practice management “best practices” that will improve the economic efficiency and the sustainability of pasture use and forestry. This will include the “up-scaling” of existing good practices already tried within past/current projects or by government/local people in Uzbekistan, in the region or internationally. The experience of testing these management practices within selected pilot districts will:

• Provide the practical experience necessary to replicate the most successful ones throughout all other relevant parts of the country. The experience will be captured in clear guideline documents in order to facilitate the long-term replication of the “best” practices.
• Help to ensure that policy, legal and institutional changes made are based on real practical experience (i.e. the practical experience of what actually works in the field will be fed into the policy, legal, and institutional reform processes, which should improve the chance that reforms will work effectively).

5. To test and demonstrate district-level integrated land use planning: currently district authorities have had limited past experience or requirement to undertake district-level land use planning. This means that general instructions from central government are not effectively translated into district-level land use practice or effectively coordinated between the relevant land use agencies and land users. Furthermore, lack of forward-thinking planning means there is no basis for “directional” change – instead the system encourages maintenance of the “status quo”, which cannot lead to systematic development. The tasks under this objective are therefore:

• To identify and agree with district authorities an appropriate district-level land use planning process and mechanisms for ensuring coordination and integrated approaches by the different land user groups over a significant period of time (i.e. next 5 or so years).
• To support the district authorities to undertake an integrated land use planning (ILUP) process, which will adequately involve the various land use stakeholders and thus ensures their commitment to its implementation (support in terms of providing methodology, training and “in-process” advice).
• To support district authorities to move from planning stage to practical land use management stage (i.e. to help district authorities and land user groups in the initial practical implementation of priority components of the district ILUP).
• To prepare guidelines and training materials that will facilitate the replication of such ILUP processes in other districts, and the dissemination of these materials and experience through relevant educational establishments and directly with other relevant districts in the country.

The Task Manager will be responsible for smooth/timely operation and implementation of the project as per UNDP Operational and Programmatic Guidelines. The position requires good understanding of environmental governance and management issues in Uzbekistan, with particular focus on land degradation, ability to quickly analyze and understand the country context, effectively build partnerships, develop innovative solutions and mobilize regional and global knowledge to meet the specific country needs.

Throughout the assignment the Task Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Environment and Energy Unit (EEU), and with assistance of the Lead National Specialist will maintain close coordination with the Land & Water Management Focal Point of the EEU UNDP Uzbekistan and Regional Technical Advisor at UNDP Regional Center at Bratislava (BRC).

Overall management as per UNDP Operational and Programmatic Guidelines

• Implement the approved AWP and ensure compliance with the milestones and delivery targets, outlined in the IP PPG Document;
• Draft, update and regularly review project work plans;
• Ensure overall financial and operational management, including transparent use of funds and accurate financial and programmatic reporting;
• Provide managerial oversight over timely preparation and submission of ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and any other documents required by the UNDP and GEF (e.g. GEF PPG Status Report), and ensure that reports by project personnel or participants are prepared as required;
• Undertake supervision and guidance of project staff/consultants, and maintaining a functional project office;
• Lead effective communication and coordination of activities between UNDP, Government, Executing Agency and other stakeholders for production of necessary outputs;

• Carry out or arrange required translating/ interpreting works;

• Organize workshops, seminars, and round tables to introduce project outputs to all stakeholders involved;
• Keep going with the existing partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialized expertise and possible co-financiers, leading to resource mobilization for project components;
• Liaise with other UNDP projects within and beyond Energy and Environment Unit to implement possible synergies;
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to obtain any support and guidance required for management and implementation of project activities;
• Report to UNDP CO Head of Environment & Energy Unit, Land & Water Management Focal Point and Regional Technical Advisor at BRC on a regular basis to keep them updated of the progress and possible challenges;
• Undertake other tasks, necessary for successful management of the project, as required by the supervisor.

Management of tasks related to Project Implementation

• Monitor and ensure efficient implementation of activities in accordance with the approved AWP, ensure best use of personnel and financial resources, and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Responsible for support to and ensuring quality/ timeliness of work of lead national specialist with selection of the two or more pilot districts in non-irrigated, arid mountain, steppes and deserts of Uzbekistan where the demonstration activities of Component I (on-the-ground work) will take place.
• Mobilize goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting Terms of References (job descriptions) and work specifications;

• Monitor and evaluate project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results;

• Monitor and facilitate advocacy and outreach activities, writing of success stories, press-releases, newspapers coverage, and other relevant PR campaigns;
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including proper utilization of funds and delivery, budget revisions, availability of funds, reconciliation of accounts, establishment of internal control mechanisms;
• As necessary, liaise with auditors and ensure follow-up to their recommendations;
• Manage and monitor project risks and take decisions on possible actions, if required update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log;
• Prepare, in cooperation with lead national expert, Project Annual and Quarterly Progress Reports (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures);
• Prepare, in cooperation with lead national expert, Annual Review Reports;
• Prepare and submit in a timely manner, other programmatic and financial reports required by the Programme Unit, Operations and the Project Board, and ensure that the reports meet corporate quality standards;
• Be proactive and work closely with the Head of Unit and Focal Point on Land & Water Management in advising response to opportunities for resource mobilization and fundraising, including conceptualization and drafting of proposals;
• Support to UNDP Country Office in communications with relevant bureaus at Headquarter levels;
• Liaise with UNDP CO, Environment and Energy Unit, other relevant units and UNDP CO Administration to ensure timely submission of required project reporting, information, and liaise, if required, with UNDP Regional Centre in Bratislava (BRC).
• Bear other duties, necessary for successful implementation of the project, as required by the supervisor.

Project Closure

• Ensures finalization of the project documentation (Project Document and CEO Endorsement Request) in full, in line with UNDP, GEF and Government of Uzbekistan requirements;
• Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to UNDP and the Project Board;
• Identify follow-up actions and submit them for consideration of UNDP;
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
• Prepare final Combined Delivery Report for signature by UNDP and the National Project Coordinator;
• Perform other duties, necessary for successful closure of the project, as required by the supervisor.

Knowledge Management

• Document lessons learned and best practices in sustainable land management at the national level;
• Access global best practices, share them with relevant local and international stakeholders and ensure their incorporation into the project implementation and design process;

• Provide any other necessary support in coaching, guidance for the project staff that will boost their capacity to deliver results.

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

• Must be capable of combining efficient implementation of UNDP administrative process, ensuring and facilitating the coordination and collaboration of diverse stakeholder groups and good team work with national and international consultants;

• Excellent managerial and leadership, communications and presentation skills;
• Good analytical and writing skills;
• Computer literacy and ability to use modern technology as a tool in every-day work;
• Ability to share knowledge and experience;
• Leadership and self-management.
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Focuses on result for the client;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.

• University degree in business administration, economics, resource economics, international development/ management, environmental governance/ sciences and/or other fields, relevant for the given assignment.

The Task Manager should have specific experience in at least three (3) of the following key areas:

• At least four years of relevant practical experience with management of development-related project in the area of environment, natural resources management or relevant fields;
• Appropriate working experience with government structures and, preferably, some experience with the UN system or other international agencies, knowledge of GEF approaches/ procedures;
• Practical background or knowledge of resource economics and/or economic instruments and financial mechanisms applied to sustainable land and/or environmental management;
• Awareness and understanding of the relevant land degradation, biodiversity, climate change and other related conventions;
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement financial management and reporting systems under challenging circumstances;
• Experience in global and international meetings on various land management and related environmental issues.

• Good knowledge of spoken and written Russian or Uzbek language is essential;
• Fluent knowledge of English will be a great advantage during selection.