Background

Conservation in PNG is hindered by a combination of systemic and policy barriers to effectively manage PAs in combination with the capacity and economic development barriers at the local (community/ clan) level that directly affect the decisions communities make about the use of their natural resources. The challenge lies in devising resource-allocation decision-making models that allow communities to fulfill their income needs and developmental aspirations, while ensuring that a viable, representative proportion of the country’s terrestrial and marine resources are conserved for national and global environmental purposes. The only mechanism by which these two goals can be aligned is through the model of community-based conservation areas. However the large-scale establishment of such CCAs is hindered by the range of policy, capacity and financial barriers described above. Therefore, overall objective of the project will be to develop effective natural resource management and financing systems for community conservation areas. Outcomes to achieve this will be delivered in four sequential components:

Component 1:
To establish a national enabling environment for a community-based sustainable national system of protected areas (PAs) containing globally and nationally significant biodiversity. This component will focus on improved institutional coordination, consolidated policy and legislation, improved Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)/Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) staff capacity and development of funding structures to underpin conservation planning.

Component 2:
Identification and establishment of conservation areas through a structured science-based process. This component aims to add 1 million hectares to the sustainable national system of PAs through the establishment of new Conservation Areas (CAs) and/or conversion of viable existing Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) into CAs which can effectively remove current and future pressures for forest degradation and conversion.

Component 3:
Conservation Area management planning and partnership agreements with communities will ensure that CAs are effectively managed according to agreed criteria to maintain biodiversity values. In addition, this component will create the service delivery, community development and economic development outcomes required to compensate community landholders for the opportunity costs of keeping their lands under protection. Integral to this will be the development of sustainable financing plans for each CA; to this end, communities in prospective project sites will be provided with the tools, resources and capacities to develop conservation-compatible livelihood opportunities in sectors such as PES, tourism, forest monitoring and sustainable agriculture.

Component 4:
Capacity development and support for implementation of CA Management Plans will deliver the training and capacity development tools needed for Provincial, District and Local Level Government officials to help community management groups to deliver improved services, income, planning and education opportunities for communities within and around CAs. This component will also help increase the capacity of landowners and communities to manage the CA and generate income from associated business activities. Finally, this component will also coordinate ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the project.
The government at the national and sub-national level have demonstrated commitment to empower communities to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management in the country through recent policy changes including the draft Protected Areas Policy. To achieve this policy goal and enable smooth project implementation, a Programme Support Unit (PSU) will be established in the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). DEC therefore requires the services of an international technical expert familiar with development challenges particularly in the field of natural resource management to lead the PSU and coordinate implementation to be on schedule as per the approved project timeframe.
The PSU will be led by a Technical Specialist who under a matrixed supervision arrangement between DEC and UNDP will provide day-to-day technical and management guidance to assist DEC and its partners to implement the project. The Technical Specialist will report to the Manager, Terrestrial Ecosystem Branch of Sustainable Environment Programs Wing and UNDP Country Office Programme Analyst (Energy and Environment). The overall performance appraisal of the Technical Specialist will be done as per UNDP guidelines, rules and regulation by the UNDP Programme Analyst (Energy and Environment).

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (P/O), and the direct supervision of the ARR (P), the Technical Specialist will work closely with the DEC and provide technical advice and support to the Manager of Terrestrial Environments Program Division, including sharing of information and maintaining close relations, good coordination and sharing of information. The Technical Specialist will liaise and coordinate programme activities also with Kokoda Initiative (KI) and New Britain (NB) Program Managers & Technical Advisors.

The overall objective of the assignment is to contribute to the enhancement and development of Community based Forest & Coastal Conservation and Resources Management in PNG PSU management of coordination capacity to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the PNG’s Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance and guidance to DEC to implement the Community-based Forest and Coastal Conservation and Resource Management Project;
• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Program Support Unit (PSU) including the supervision of PSU personnel and, ensure coordination with KI and NB activities under the overall national Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation Programme of DEC;
• Build strategic partnerships, develop joint dialogue initiatives to support a DEC’s Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives for the country.

• Provide an overview of national, provincial and local level government legislations, policies, plans and strategies relevant for protected areas establishment and management;
• Guide review and analysis of institutional and human capacity at all relevant government levels within the context of protected areas focusing on community-based conservation and/or natural resource management;
• Assess national laws and policies including best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally in relation to design, management and implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for New Britain Island as well as roadmap on Biodiversity Offset Scheme for PNG;
• Guide provincial and district landuse planning and development planning focusing on environmental mainstreaming,

• Lead the preparation and update of annual and quarterly project work plans with clearly stated milestones contributing to the achievement of target outputs consistent with the project document and submit these to the Deputy Secretary (SEP) / DEC Secretary and UNDP for clearance;
• Prepare and update of annual and quarterly operational budgets in line with the project document and submit these to the Deputy Secretary (SEP) / DEC Secretary and UNDP for clearance;
• Review programme resource requirements and provide advice to the Project Advisory Board on the need for budget adjustments and possible revisions. Also advice DEC and UNDP on revisions to work plans and budget plans based on the operational and strategic appreciation of programme implementation with given conditions;
• Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs (individual and institutional consultancy services, the procurement of goods, organization of training, seminars, etc.), and submits these to the Deputy Secretary (SEP) / DEC Secretary and relevant UN agencies for clearance, and administers the mobilization of such inputs;
• Ensures that all agreements with implementing agencies are prepared, negotiated, agreed upon and executed to the expected standards in a timely manner;
• Ensure monitoring, evaluation and audits are undertaken as per UNDP/GEF guidelines based on the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework in a timely manner.

• Lead the planning, organisation and convening of relevant stakeholders among government departments, provincial government, development organizations and CSOs participation to promote DEC’s Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives;
• Convey and facilitate meetings when required in order to get agreements that support DEC’s Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation Programme implementation including Project Advisory Board Meetings as and when required;
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant government departments (including provincial governments) and key external organizations on technical issues related to implementation of the project;
• Build effective networks/partnership with relevant partners, policy makers, business, donors and civil society actors to further the interests of the programme;
• Promote knowledge sharing of lessons learnt at the local, provincial, national, regional and international levels.

Competencies

• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation.

• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignment.

• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
• Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

• Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
• Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities.

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence,  creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparent  decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in preferably in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, geography or related field;
• Prince 2 training and certification.

• At least 5 years experience with leading large scale and complex development programmes /projects covering all aspects of programme/project cycle management including financial management, budgeting, administration, human resources, monitoring and evaluation, auditing, and reporting;
• Familiar with biodiversity conservation issues including forest / coastal/ natural resources management, and rural development;
• Knowledge in GIS/remote sensing is an asset;
• Previous work experience on development programmes in developing countries (Asia Pacific-PNG experience is an advantage);
• Proven management experience including supervision of staff, consultants and coordination of research programme/projects teams in a multi-disciplinary environment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of donor programme/project management practices and modalities;
• Experience with working with governments in developing countries. Experience with government and UN procedures including its financial systems is an asset;
• Excellent computer skills including full working knowledge MS Office, and Internet.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.