UNDP Jobs - 56483- International Consultant to Assist with Organizati

International Consultant to Assist with Organization and Management of the Restoration Works by the Project

Location :

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

25-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

7 months

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

7 months

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 purpose of the EU funded EC Clima East Pilot Project on “Ecosystem-based approach to climate change” is to support the design and application of sustainable pasture management practices in the country with the overall objective of improving pasture/soil condition in the selected target zones (Ismayilli region) that would ultimately result in improved soil condition and land management practices which leads to enhanced CO2 sequestration and absorption by the grasslands. The project has three inter-related major outputs: a) conducting inventory of the pasture areas in Ismayilli to obtain a clear picture on soil/vegetation/carbon conditions; b) preparation and application of sustainable land management models across 3,000 ha of selected pasture land (including rehabilitation and restoration works); c) design and application of carbon flow monitoring mechanism to assess changes in carbon sequestration/absorption and avoided CO2 emissions overtime. All components have built-in capacity building elements targeting local government representatives responsible for land management and agricultural policy, farmers and communities, as well as civil servants in the field of environment.

“Sustainable Land and Forest Management in the Greater Caucasus landscape”

The objective of the project is the sustainable land and forest management in the Greater Caucasus Landscape secures the flow of multiple ecosystem services, including carbon storage and sequestration and water provisioning services, while ensuring ecosystem resilience to climate change. The project will engineer a paradigm shift from the current unsustainable practices to sustainable land and forest management practice. The project will address barriers to sustainable pasture and forest management. In doing so it will support measures to mitigate CC such as managing natural forests to emphasize natural regeneration through improved grazing and wood collecting in forests. It will avoid GHG emissions caused by degradation, increase sequestration through enhanced biomass and improve the productivity of forests and pasturelands. This would result in short and long-term global benefits.

Projects intends to finalize activities started last year: engage consultancy services to supervise pasture restoration, management recommendations for the local farmers to ensure sustainable use of natural resources in the region and ecosystem approaches to climate change.

Pasture inventory methodology developed in close consultation with project team, local government of Ismayilli region, including the MENR, local landowners (municipalities) and livestock owners. During this process, the relevant international experiences and legal aspects analyzed.

Duties and Responsibilities

It is expected that the international consultant will take part in all stages of the process.

His/her inputs are divided into below stages:

IC will provide the following services:

Supervising of pasture restoration works in the area inventoried in 2014 within the project;
To support the project with trainings on pasture inventory and implementation of inventory of the 3000 ha in Ismayilli pilot region based on methodology prepared by the project (training will include the providing of background information and to explain the steps for the implementation of the inventory. Training will be 10 days in total for at least 15 person from MENR, NGOs and other partner institutions);
Expert should visit the pilot area for identification of dominant plants species in case of differences between previously inventoried area (The international expert will be supported by the GIS expert for the data analyzing);
To support the stakeholders with using and analyzing of the ecological situation based on software prepared by the project (project has developed the software based on methodology for pasture inventory of summer pastures);
To prepare management and restoration recommendations for the additionally inventoried areas.

Competencies

Displaying cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Outstanding communication and presentation skills; Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
Outstanding time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
Sharing knowledge and experience, communicating ideas and managing information flow;
Strong team building skills, team management;
Respond positively to feedback and differing points of view;
Planning, organizing and multi-tasking;
Analytical thinking;
Strong drafting, presentation, management and reporting skills;
Strong computer skills;
Excellent written communication and coordination skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in related field (Ecologist).

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience in the field of pasture and land management;
Knowledge of pasture management practices;
Working experience with UNDP in related topics will be asset.

Language:

Fluent in written and oral communication in English;
Knowledge of Russian will be an asset.