UNDP Jobs - 56948- International Consultant

International Consultant - Documentation of the Success Stories of Communities’ Engagement in Environmental Conservation in Inle Lake Area

Location :

Yangon with Travel to Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe, Kalaw and Pindaya Townships, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 Working 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

Inle Lake, located in Taunggyi District of Shan State is a shallow, high-altitude water body which is the second-largest lake in Myanmar. The lake is renowned for a number of traditional cultural and livelihood practices and regarded as one of the natural and cultural assets of Myanmar. It is in the ASEAN heritage site. The Lake becomes one of the primary destinations for Myanmar’s booming tourism industry.

However, Inle Lake is suffering environmental degradation from the combined effects of unsustainable resource use, increasing population pressures, climate variability and rapid tourism development. The original Lake area 271 km2 in 1934 has decreased to 163.2 km2 in 2007 out of which only 62.2 km2 remained as open water surface area. Inle Lake degradation was caused by a range of sources both on the lake itself and in its surrounding watershed arising from the economic sectors (agriculture, tourism) as well as the livelihood activities and day-to-day living practices of many surrounding communities.

Having realized the urgent need for rehabilitation and conservation of the Lake and its watershed area, Inle Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Project was launched in 2012 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financial assistance from the Government of Norway. The project is based on the five-year Action Plan of Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Management of Inle Lake (2010-2015) of the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MoECAF). The original project duration was from January 2012 till Dec. 2013, and continued till June 2015. The project aims to restore the environmental sustainability and to improve the quality of life of local communities in and around the area of Inle Lake. The community-based project activities are focused on five major sectors, namely Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation, Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Fishery and Livestock and Socio Economic Sectors. The project covers 71 villages in Nyaungshwe, Kalaw and Pindaya Townships and targeting 9500 households to be benefited through environmental friendly community-based development activities, and environmental conservation practices.

UNDP is supporting and encouraging local Non-Government Organization and Community Based Organizations to participate in Inle Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Activities with the aim to promote institutional capacities of communities for conservation and development activities in the long term and to improve the quality of life of local communities.

UNDP is looking for an international consultant to document the success stories during the project implementation process which will be used for knowledge sharing purpose for the communities, Communities Based Organizations and Implementing Agencies (Government/ Non Government Organizations) to integrate community level environmental conservation practices in the local development plans and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Programme Analyst, Climate Change Mitigation and in consultation with the Communication Specialist of UNDP Country Office (CO), the International Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Identify the success stories of the communities during implementation of the project which promotes Inle Lake conservation in balance with socio-economic development works in consultation with the project stakeholders (Forest Department, UNDP, Community-based Organizations, and the communities);
Write the success stories and submit the first draft document to UNDP;
Incorporate the feedback from UNDP on the first draft and develop the final document with lay-out design;
Submit the print version document.

The consultancy will deliver the final document by 29 June 2015.

For more details, Please see following link below: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=22687

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 favoritism.

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 humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage;
Self-motivated and ability to work with minimum supervision; and
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and team oriented work style.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications, development studies, environmental conservation or in other related field and has professional background in a development related field with in-depth understanding of issues in community based development;

Experience:

Proven experience of at least 2 years in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an added asset);
Extensive knowledge of the issues of gender, livelihoods, environmental conservation and poverty related areas would be an advantage;
Relevant field experience particularly in community level interactions.

Language:

Fluent in English.