UNDP Jobs - 50246- Comprehensive Legislative Review on Protected Area

Comprehensive Legislative Review on Protected Area & recommendations for Drafting Instructions

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

24-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

90 days within five (5) months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has submitted its first national policy on Protected Areas to the National Executive Council (NEC) which aims to give equal importance for conservation and economic development in the country.

The new policy puts in place systematic process of establishing different types of Protected Areas tailored to the unique context of PNG to guide communities, organizations and agencies to harmonize efforts on biodiversity conservation. PNG’s new policy embraces an innovative approach that links environmental sustainability and human development efforts to protect the country’s natural and cultural heritage, for both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. PNG is one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries accounting for less than 0.5% of the Earth’s surface area.

In recognition of the extensive customary land ownership in PNG, protected areas of any type will be gazetted only after formal agreement outlining management responsibilities with customary land owners. The Policy also acknowledges various initiatives across PNG in conserving nature for cultural and spiritual reasons, while pursuing traditional economic activities in these landscapes and seascapes. Through a diversified mix of conventional funding sources (e.g., budgetary allocations, overseas development assistance) and innovative funding sources (e.g., payments for offsets and ecosystem services, trust funds and green taxes), PNG can achieve stable and sufficient long term financial resources to support their conservation area networks.

Objectives

The new policy has been recently submitted by DEC to NEC for endorsement then deliberated in Parliament by early 2015.

The legislative review is aimed to look at the specific provisions in respect to Protected Areas which leads towards greater benefits to communities, wildlife and habitats. The review will study the different Acts administered by DEC as well as draw linkages to ongoing legislative reviews for mining and petroleum, fisheries, forestry, decentralized power Provincial and Local-Level Governments, among others.

The result of the legislative review will also put forward key recommendations for putting together the Drafting Instructions to Implement the Protected Area Policy after the deliberation in the Parliament in early 2015.

The national consultant will work under supervision of the CbFCCRM management team and DEC Sustainable Environment Program and Legal Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

It is envisaged that methodologies below will be undertaken for this assignment:

Desk Review of Existing and Proposed Legislation and its Implementing Rules and other documents such as the Conservation Areas Act, Fauna (Protection and Control) Act, Environment Act and the National Parks Act which has been repealed with the transition of the Department into CEPA as well as existing and proposed revisions in legislations for mining and petroleum, fisheries, forestry, decentralized power Provincial and Local-Level Governments known as the Organic Act, among others that the project team will identify;
Meetings with Key Informants including members of the academe, senior staff of relevant government agencies and organizations;
Capacity Building and Activity Mapping for and its key partners to pursuit of achieving the outcomes including the mainstreaming of Protected Areas into national and provincial planning process;
Field Visits will be required to conduct interviews and discussions with key stakeholders and beneficiaries to triangulate data and fill information gaps as may be needed.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Technical

In-depth understanding of conservation and legislations enforcement issues faced by PNG or other countries in this Pacific region;
Strong and proven research and analytical skills.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Partnerships

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national institutions;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant information for the preparation of quality outputs;
Excellent organisation and coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with colleagues – especially for this case the consultants.

Core Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Relevant post-graduate degree in environmental law or related field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience in carrying out high level analytical work on environmental governance, development policies and project implementation;
Proven experience in legislation an policy formulation or review;
In-depth understanding of conservation and legislations enforcement issues faced by PNG or other countries in this Pacific region;
Initiative and ability to organize his/her work independently, but also to work as part of a team;
Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines;
Proven ability to communicate effectively and to facilitate discussions at the senior level with government officials and the development community.

Language:

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Application procedure:

Interested individual consultant/s must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications, experience and skills:

Technical Proposal on the scope of work as per the TOR including a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work. The methodology must address all aspects of the TOR, implementation schedule, and quality assurance measures; Explaining why s/he is the most suitable for the assignment; Evidence of similar assignment implemented in the last 5 years;
Detailed Financial Proposal should be in PGK based on the deliverable and terms of payment;
Personal CV and UN P11 form (can be downloaded from UNDP website), including past experience in similar projects or assignment relating to this engagement with at least 3 references.

All applications must be prepared in English and be submitted by close of business on 24 October 2014. Proposals can be submitted in hardcopy or electronic format to:

The Resident Representative
United Nations Development Programme
P.O. Box 1041, Port Moresby
National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Email: registry.pg@undp.org and attention to gwen.maru@undp.org.