UNDP Jobs - 49328- International Ecosystems Specialist

International Ecosystems Specialist

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

10-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in 177 countries and territories. In Timor-Leste, UNDP provides technical advice and assistance to build strong and capable public institutions at national and sub-national levels in justice, parliament, human rights, anti-corruption, police, economic development, environmental management and disaster risk management that bring development, peace and justice to the population and reach out to the poor and vulnerable sections of society.

Mangroves occupy only a small area of Timor Leste when compared with neighbouring countries, such as Indonesia and Australia. This limited coverage of mangrove areas – is estimated to be declining at an approximate loss of 80 percent since 1940 (across Timor Leste), with 40 percent of this loss taking place in the 2000 – 2008 period alone1. Mangrove felling for firewood and building material is high, and revenue from selling the wood provides income to a number of people with limited livelihoods or land. Clearing the coastline from the mangrove stands has resulted in greater exposure to sea surges, inundation, erosion and accretion processes. The limited expanse of mangroves makes their protection of particular value as their regeneration capacity is restricted to specific coastal locations. Although covering limited strips of coastal area and estuary, mangroves provide unique coastal protection function against rising sea levels as well as the storm surges by increasing overall sedimentation levels and by slowing the flow of water and reducing surface waves. Many people rely on mangroves for subsistence. They provide fish nurseries, foster juvenile fish (i.e. snapper, jack and barracuda species) and crustaceans; thereby fostering important sources of protein intake for coastal communities as well as livelihood sources, and the regeneration of fish supplies for commercial fishing. Similarly, loss of coastal wetlands disrupts the hydrology that supports mangrove systems, that also protects coastal areas from water inundation by slowing and filtrating flows. Moreover, coastal natural ponds, wetlands and marches act as important storm and flood water storage facilities. They also buffer seawater intrusion into the aquifers. Aquifers themselves protect against salt-water intrusion provided that water tables are kept at appropriate levels. Long-term resilience of coastal areas thereby demands comprehensive approaches that examine and address risk acceleration factors at a broader coastal landscape and catchment area. Improved watershed management upstream, reforestation and restoration of degraded lands will reduce excessive sediment loads to downstream coastal waterways, and areas that cause siltation of natural pond, mud-march and wetland systems, as well as in some places contributing to coastal accretion. Therefore, coherent plans for the restoration and protection of such natural systems within a broader landscape are essential for coastal resilience. Mangrove and wetland protection and restoration needs to be addressed from the National level through to community level and livelihood practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake a desk review on mangrove functions of coastal defence against sea storms and inundation, including anti-erosion benefits; review all available research material on mangroves in Timor-Leste and their current condition(s), main threats and opportunities for rehabilitation and protection;

Conduct consultations and provide detailed guidance on (i) autecology selection of appropriate local varieties, considering their reproduction and growth specificities; (ii) hydrology types that may necessitate mangrove zonation; (iii) potential disturbance factors, including anticipated increased storminess that may require the plantation of mature species and establishment of nurseries for replacement;
Review all available research on coastal wetlands, aquifers and reef systems and outline their functions of coastal defence and provide feasible strategies of their protection and sustainable management;
Review the roles and responsibilities of various government ministries and agencies in relation to mangrove protection primarily, but also in relation to other essential coastal features;
Review international best practice on offsetting schemes for conservation as well as payment for ecosystem services (PES) and identify the relevant schemes that may be feasible to implement in the context of Timor-Leste, and specifically in relation to the Port of Tibar bay;
Under the guidance of the International Project Development Specialist(s), develop a comprehensive technical report as a direct contribution to the prodoc formulation; As part of the technical report outline in detail all baseline programmes of relevance under Components 2 and 3, and; identify and detail activities under these two components;
Prepare a presentation that introduces succinctly the main elements of the project strategy that is to develop adaptation capacity of the coast through rehabilitation and protection of the key natural coastal defence features, such as mangroves, wetlands and upstream (micro) watersheds, and;
Work closely with the livelihood/gender specialist(s) to identify ‘win-win’ solutions for delivering adaptation benefits through natural habitat protection and livelihood improvements.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Technical expertise in natural resource management, ecosystems and land management;
Ability to effectively communicate complex, technical information to broader audiences;
Good knowledge of results based management (RBM);
Demonstrated track record of relevant experience in the mentioned area (publications, project proposals, reports);

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree in environmental management, natural resource management or related areas of expertise.

Experience:

5-10 years extensive knowledge of natural resource management in the context of land use and land management;
Experience in applying ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation (e.g. terracing and similar water harvesting and sloping land technologies, wetland management, watershed approaches);
Previous experience working on Mangrove protection and/or restoration;
Extensive knowledge of Timor-Leste or other countries in Asia, demonstrated by previous experience and involvement in the country/region, and;
Experience in the design of GEF projects.

Language:

Proficiency in English is required, especially writing.

Proposed Methodology

For more information please go to this link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=17750