UNDP Jobs - 51533- Team Leader/International Landscape Ecosystem Poli

Team Leader/International Landscape Ecosystem Policy and Capacity Development Specialist

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

22-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

27-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 working days (during the period December 2014 – December 2015)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 working days (during the period December 2014 – December 2015)

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), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Government of Tajikistan’s National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center, Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and an Agency of Forestry under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in the preparation of the GEF Full Size Project (FSP) “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pamir Alay and Tien Shan Ecosystems for Snow Leopard (SL) Protection and Sustainable Community Livelihoods”. The project is coordinated with the global UNDP-GEF project Transboundary Cooperation for SL and Ecosystem Conservation.

The project is an extension of the Recommendations on Preservation of SLs and Their High Mountain Ecosystems that were adopted at the international meeting on conservation of SLs held in Bishkek on December 3, 2012. The proposal is consistent with the recommendations of the Global SL Survival Strategy and has been a direct response to the request of the Government of Tajikistan for assistance in the implementation of this document and tailoring its implementation to the national context of Tajikistan. The entire set of recommendations has been reflected in the project document, and they all have been adapted to the situation in Tajikistan. By implementing these activities it is possible to create conditions for preservation and increase of SL population in Tian Shan and Pamir Alay ranges.

The project is closely related to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Tajikistan (2014-2020) since it develops improved policies for use of natural resources, forest conservation, expands protected areas and raises the engagement of communities in their management, all of which are the NBSAP priorities. The expansion of the ecological network proposed by Component I of the project is in line with the National Plan for the implementation of the Program of Work on Protected areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity: it covers the key ecological gaps identified under the POWPA work plan, integrates PAs into wider landscape and involves communities in conservation efforts. The need for conservation of the SL and other biodiversity of Pamir Alay and Tian Shan is prominent in Tajikistan’s 5th National Report to CBD. It also demonstrates an integrated approach to the creation of new PAs for under-represented ecosystems, covering a number of topics, ranging from technical aspects (capacity building of existing and new protected areas, harmonization of PA, management planning, development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring system for biodiversity and ecosystems) to socio-economic dimensions (support for alternative income-generating activities for local communities such as ecotourism, and apiculture, to integration of PAs with biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use in adjacent areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

An International Capacity Development Specialist/Team Leader will be responsible for the evaluation and analysis of the existing capacity in the Republic of Tajikistan for protected area management and sustainable biodiversity, land and forestry management. Specifically, an International Capacity Development Specialist/Team Leader is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Based on the inputs from local and international experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders and the best international practice to:

Draft ToRs for the key consultants/contracts to be employed by the project.
Review baseline information delivered by the local experts, and provide feedback on the quality of data and further information required;
Compile and share with the national PPG team and stakeholders the international best experience in policy development, legal and regulatory frameworks and enforcement systems for protected area management and connectivity instruments, such as buffer zones and corridors;
Provide support and guidance to the team leader in both planning and management of the PPG implementation and in regard to technical tasks;
Compile final baseline/situational analysis for the FSP. This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices;
Prepare a quantified assessment of global environmental benefits for biodiversity;
Assist in reconfirming/specifying the project strategy, finalizing project sections on: (a) assessment of the social, economic and financial sustainability of proposed project activities; (b) assessment of alternatives to the project strategy and establishing the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy and suite of activities; (c) replication strategy for project activities; (d) assessment of the risks to the proposed project activities and identifying measure to mitigate these risks; (e) incremental cost analysis;
Develop project Monitoring and Evaluation System for the FSP including the completed tracking tool, including a set of indicators, baselines and targets;
Develop a costing table for all expected project outcomes and outputs;
Elaborate a Logical Framework of the project and lead the workshop for the logical framework analysis;
Prepare M&E plan and budget;
Analysis of the training, public awareness raising and other capacity building needs and finalizing the project’s capacity training strategy and activities;
Elaborate Stakeholder Involvement and Public Participation plans, along with an action plan for incorporation of the gender aspects in the project;
Prepare the draft of the quantified description of the global environmental benefits of the project;
Prepare METTs for the project target sites.

In addition to this, an International Capacity Development Specialist/Team Leader will provide support in drafting of the project documentation in full and following UNDP and GEF guidelines. Support will include: baseline analysis, project logical framework and indicators, incremental-cost analysis, quantified description of the global environmental benefits of the project, risk analysis and mitigation strategy, sustainability of proposed project activities, replication of project activities and project budget.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standard;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and experience of the political, social and environmental factors and issues related to protected area management and biodiversity conservation in Central Asia, preferably in Tajikistan;
Skills in facilitation and development of multi-stakeholder workshops and broad-based consultative processes/ programmes/project documents on ecosystems and biodiversity, natural resources and/or environment related discipline;
An independent, reliable, responsible self-motivator able work under pressure;
Excellent communication, team-building and diplomatic skills to develop partnerships;
Familiarity with UNDP/GEF programming policies, templates and requirements for FSP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Proven problem-solving skills creative thinking to develop and implement smart business solutions in challenging environmental factors and issues related to protected area management and biodiversity conservation;
Proven ability to develop high level policy briefs, strategies, including experience in conducting cost effectiveness analysis.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Postgraduate or other advanced university degree in the fields of forest/biodiversity conservation, environmental management or other relevant fields.

Years of experience:

At least 10 years of demonstrated working experience in areas relevant for protected area management, forest/biodiversity conservation, environmental management or other relevant fields;
At least 5 years of experience in a similar professional role (i.e. technical advisor or project manager);
Professional experience in developing programme/project documents on protected area management, forest/biodiversity conservation, environmental management or other relevant fields.

Language:

Fluent in English.