UNDP Jobs - 56655- International Consultant for UN REDD Start-up Advi

International Consultant for UN REDD Start-up Advisor

Location :

Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 working days (including 10 working days as home-based) during June – Sept. 2015

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

Having signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 11 June 1992 and ratified the convention on 25 November 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2003 as a non-Annex 1 party, Myanmar is fully aware of the causes and potential impacts of climate change. Hence, whilst undertaking political reform and aiming at rapid economic development, Myanmar is striving to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The government of Myanmar has recognised the potential of the REDD+ initiative to contribute to green development by protecting global environmental resources (forest carbon stocks, but also biodiversity), helping to reverse land degradation, helping to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and aiding adaptation to climate change.

Although still largely a poor country, Myanmar is rapidly opening up to Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the energy, mining and agricultural sector. Unless astutely managed, economic growth may have negative impacts on the environment and the natural resource base. In addition, climate change threatens to reverse socio-economic advances. Recognizing these inter-related challenges, the Government increasingly views the forestry sector as a key component and driver of sustainable and climate resilient economic growth and rural development. Myanmar has significant potential to reduce its forest carbon emissions, and enhance and sustainably manage its forest carbon stocks, by implementing REDD+ activities.

Myanmar became a partner country of the UN-REDD Programme in December 2011 and has quickly taken steps to start implementing REDD+ readiness activities. A REDD+ Readiness Roadmap was finalized in 2013, and this lead to a request for funding support from the UN-REDD Programme for $4.8M.

The UN REDD Programmatic support seeks to build national capacity for the implementation of REDD+ under the UNFCCC enhanced and relevant (technical, legal, social) systems.

To do so, five outcomes are envisaged:

Outcome 1: Relevant stakeholders engaged and their capacities developed;
Outcome 2: National institutions have capacity to implement effective and participatory governance arrangements for REDD+
Outcome 3: REDD+ safeguards defined and national safeguards information system developed;
Outcome 4: Development of Myanmar’s national forest monitoring system (NFMS) and preliminary forest RELs/RLs supported;
Outcome 5: National REDD+ Strategy developed.

UNDP has secured the financial resources from the Government of Norway for the first year implementation of the UN- REDD+ targeted support to Myanmar. UNDP is recruiting the Start-up advisor who will be mainly responsible to initiate programme activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key functions and responsibilities

Support the day-to-day management of UN-REDD programme, especially during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2015, including coordination across agencies and with other programmes:

Development of 2015 Annual and Quarterly workplans, including ToR for staff/consultants/contractors;
Ensure smooth implementation of activities so as to ensure milestones are achieved on time;
Ensure that all documentation is compiled and stored in an appropriate manner so that it can subsequently be used as the basis for reporting;
Serve as mentor to newly-recruited programme staff.

Prepare for the programme’s Inception Workshop:

Consistent with UN-REDD guidance on Inception Workshops, and working closely with the UNDP and FAO COs, UNEP Regional Centre/Bangkok, and Forest Department, prepare an agenda for the workshop;
Likewise, identify participants to be invited, taking account of the need to have meaningful representation from all relevant stakeholder groups and seeking gender balance to the extent possible;
Prepare all materials for the workshop, including presentations, and materials for distribution (e.g., brochures, flyers, etc.).

Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide support and technical advice to the development of policy options and strategy for the design and implementation of Myanmar's National REDD+ Programme;
In collaboration with the UN-REDD Regional Knowledge Management Specialist, share knowledge on REDD+ by (i) documenting lessons learnt and best practices from the UN-REDD programme and contributing to the development of knowledge based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc.);
Provide timely quality information and technical advice to the GoM, UN Country Team, implementing partners, line ministries and other partners to ensure effective development and delivery of the UN-REDD programmatic support;
Assist in the identification of technical expertise and lead on the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts, and reviewing reports produced; and
Provide support to the GoM related to UNFCCC negotiations, where necessary.

For more details, please see following link below:

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=22429

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to environmental conservation and lake management;
Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, or similar.

Experience:

At least 5 years of working experience on REDD+, conservation, resource management, forest economic policy and community development livelihoods with experience in Myanmar preferable;
Strong facilitation and coordination skill;
Experience of working in multinational teams to implement programmes involving different funding and implementing agencies;
Experience of implementing programmes across the UN agencies and across Government are definite advantages;
Experience the REDD+ developments at international, national and local levels;
Knowledge on the UNFCCC negotiations, decisions and guidelines for national systems in the context of REDD+, as well as national and international best practices within REDD+ and other natural resource management initiatives.

Language:

Proficiency in both spoken and written English;
Some competency in spoken Myanma is preferable.