UNDP GEF Jobs - 58566- GIS and Knowledge-based National Protected Area an

GIS and Knowledge-based National Protected Area and Biodiversity Consultancy

Advertised on behalf of

UNDP GEF

Location :

Mbabane, SWAZILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

10-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 working days spread through from September 2015 to May 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 working days spread through from September 2015 to May 2016

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

Knowledge on a country’s biodiversity is critical for the operationalisation of systemic conservation management and reporting which begins with evidence generation. The use of GIS for planning and monitoring purposes is however limited in Swaziland in particular as it informs conservation management, research and community development. Swaziland’s formal Protected Areas (PAs) cover approximately 4% of the country’s total land area, and are relatively rich in biodiversity with their share of endemism as represented in various ecosystems. Furthermore, the country has set targets for the conservation of its ecosystems and species in line with the National Development Strategy (Vision 2022) and other international targets such as the Aichi Targets under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity. While some of the critical ecosystems and species are found in existing PAs, some are found in areas where there is prone to unstainable utilization and overexploitation of resources, thereby threatening livelihoods and impeding sustainable development.

The Strengthening National Protected Areas Systems (SNPAS) in Swaziland is a six years (2014-2020) Project funded by GEF aims at developing, expanding and effectively managing the capacities of Swaziland’s PAs network in order to adequately protect the biodiversity. This will be undertaken through the “landscapes” approach towards sustainable development and will involve integrated land and natural resource management that transforms the current PA patchwork into network and enhance vulnerable communities’ livelihoods, in particular those adjacent to the PAs.

The SNPAS Project has been organised around three components: (i) knowledge-based platform operationalised at the national, regional and community levels to address current and emerging threats to PAs and biodiversity conservation; (ii Expansion of PA network, and (iii) strengthening PA functioning through improved conservation management and operational support for existing and new PAs, including both formal and informal. PAs will be established and managed in critical biodiversity areas as clusters, integrating different sites that are managed by the Government of Swaziland (GoS), the private sector and local communities. A GIS-based knowledge and information management system has been proposed to facilitate systematic mapping and planning for ecological support and biodiversity conservation management as well as provision of information for global reporting.

In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) seeks the technical services of a Geographic Information Systems Expert with strong database management and application development/programming skills to develop a national knowledge-based information system for the country’s biodiversity and PAs.

Objective

To collate data and information for the establishment and operationalisation of a GIS knowledge-based information management system for conservation management and monitoring in PAs and the wider landscapes in the country. This will contribute to improved global reporting, as well as biodiversity data and information management and dissemination.

Scope

The assessment will encompass capturing of information on Biodiversity in Protected Areas in Swaziland for both formalised and informal PA entities to be used for planning, managing and monitoring effective biodiversity conservation in PAs according to global standards and expectations, and establishing the necessary capacities and infrastructure and through the development of the GIS knowledge-based system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the guidance of the Swaziland National Trust Commission, SNPAS Project Steering Committee with day-to-day support from the National Project Manager/ Project Managers, the GIS Expert will have the following tasks to undertake:

Review International, Regional and National knowledge and information needs as per Swaziland signatory status for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – Aichi targets and others;
Review the currently data collection and knowledge management legal provisions and identify gaps;
Map sources and gaps (different types of users) of data and knowledge information on biodiversity and Protected Areas for Swaziland;
Design a functional GIS-based knowledge and information management system model for national biodiversity conservation and protected areas information management for effective data collection, and reposition, access and usability by national, regional and for global reporting purposes;
Prepare the specifications for infrastructure for the GIS knowledge-based system for data capturing, updating management and dissemination and provide advisory support to a timely and cost-effective procurement process;
Develop the systems Operational Guidelines and Manuals for different users as identified in (iii) to also facilitate, annual, mid- and long term evaluations and reporting obligations on biodiversity for the country;
Prepare and conduct quarterly presentations to the Project Steering Committee and one presentation to the national stakeholders on the system developed in (v);
Conduct training for the SNTC and other identified institutions on the data sourcing, updating of the system and management of information as well as system maintenance;
Provide technical and oversight support for the operationalisation of the system for a period of 12 months.

Competencies

Technical Competences:

Knowledge of and ability to design blueprints on how to integrate data resources for business processes and functional support;
Ability to recommend improvements to data architecture processes to ensure high quality of data deliverables and consistency;
Ability to anticipate any obstacles and make plans accordingly to ensure that stakeholder requirements are fully-reflected in data architecture outcomes;
Excellent knowledge, understanding and experience in custom application development and enterprise application integration;
Knowledge and understanding of open-source desktop and web mapping solutions;
Demonstrated technical expertise in ASP.NET / C# / VB.NET / PHP / C++ / Java, and with experience with content management systems such as Joomla, WordPress, Drupal, Dot Net Nuke and MS SQL Server / MySQL and database development;
Skills in mobile application development (iOS / Android / Windows Mobile); and
Ability to mentor and build capacity.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling of the UN’s values and ethical standards;
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 favouritism;
Proficiency in the English language, and knowledge of SiSwati will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A university degree (preferably Masters or higher) in Geographic Information Systems or related discipline;
Knowledge and understanding of Prince II methodology, TOGAF architecture and COBIT methodology will be an added advantage.

Experience:

At least seven (7) years of experience in GIS systems development (preferably in the context of land information and developing desktop and web-based mapping solutions);
At least five (5) years of demonstrable project/programme management experience;
Working experience with environmental or natural resources information and remote sensing is a plus;
Knowledge of national and international GIS and Biodiversity information standards;
Experience working within the biodiversity informatics arena would be an advantage;
Experience in graphic design, interaction design, usability engineering;
Experience in online web mapping applications and technology.

Language:

Fluency in English