UNDP Jobs - 58832- Consultancy Services - Payment for Ecosystem Serv

Consultancy Services - Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Specialist - SMSMCL Project

Location :

UNDP MCO Apia, SAMOA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 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

This project is the first upscaling initiative by the Government of Samoa to ensure land degradation issues across all level of society are well addressed through the integration of sustainable landscape management into planning framework and actions across multi-sectoral arrangements in order to achieve the Government of Samoa’s long-term goal:

“Samoa’s productive landscapes are protected and sustainably managed to mitigate land degradation and to increase soil carbon sequestration so as to contribute to poverty alleviation and mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts, as well as to contribute to global environmental benefits by overcoming barriers to integrated sustainable land management.”

The primary objective of this project is to strengthen local capacities, incentives and actions for integrated landscape management in order to reduce land degradation and greenhouse gas emissions and promote nature conservation whilst enhancing sustainable local livelihoods.

In order to achieve this objective the project will support local household and wider community actions to reduce pressures on natural resources from competing land uses in the wider landscape.

The project has two outcomes and four outputs:

Outcome 1: Communities and farmers are able to undertake and benefit from integrated land and water management on their traditionally owned land;
Output 1.1: Landowners engaged in farming in the targeted communities increase village land area under Sustainable Land Management practices;
Output 1.2: Community leaders in targeted villages endorse participatory action plans and engage in sustainable land management practices on village land;
Outcome 2: Strengthened national enabling environment to promote integrated landscape management though local households and communities;
Output 2.1: National agencies involved in land use activities are able to effectively coordinate field interventions using a multi-sectoral approach;
Output 2.2: Policy makers and key stakeholders have an increased knowledge of Sustainable Land Management through services and training.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, UNDP is now recruiting an expert to contribute to both Outcomes: a Payment for Ecosystem Services Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities

The Payment of Ecosystems Services (PES) Specialist will work in close collaboration with the project and MNRE division’s technical staff and other key project partners within the MAF and MWCSD and will carry the following tasks:

Review relevant literature and available studies on the types of payments for ecosystem services including successful models at the global and regional levels to assess applicability in the context of Samoa, focussing on project priority areas in both Upolu and Savai’I Islands;
Review existing models that have attempted to conduct Cost Benefit Analysis of PES options and apply the appropriate model for valuation of these options and determine monetary quantification of the ecosystem products and services for each targeted priority areas, including Key biodiversity Areas of the project, and when relevant critical watersheds;
Review and document cases in Samoa ofeco-compensation /incentives initiatives, existing examples of local and national schemes, and explore opportunities for channelling eco-incentives packages in direct support for SLM and PA management: . In Samoa, this should include incentive models in use for the Falealupo Forest Preserve, the Aopo Cloud Forest, former Uafato Conservation Area, Village Marine Reserves (MAF) among other;
Review of legal system, policies, programmes, plans, projects and practices that have an impact on decision-making regarding sustainable land management, deforestation and forest conservation in Samoa;
Based on the monetary values of the PES options, identify economically viable options for demonstration based on the needs and situation of Samoa;
Draw conclusions and formulate communications messages for public and private sector decision-makers, based on the values calculated, about the economic, business and development rationale for investing in SLM and forest conservation;
Identify specific additional studies/analysis to strengthen the project and Land Management Division in establishing sustainable financing for SLM and Protected Area by providing the incremental socio-economic benefits or value added derived through effective resource management of customary land and the economic losses being risked through uncontrolled activities and degradation of forest ecosystems.

Any other tasks as may be jointly agreed on incentives development for engaging local farmers and landowners in SLM and forest conservation.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced Degree in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Economics, or closely related field with focus on ecosystem services for protected areas and sustainable land management.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience and knowledge in the field of environmental economics, payment for ecosystem mechanism development and/or ecosystem service valuation, in particular, experience working in relation to land and protected area management;
Extensive international experience in and knowledge of various methodologies of ecosystem valuation and economic valuation for sustainable land use and/or protected areas as well as economic valuation tools;
Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management that addresses technical assistance and capacity development of partners;
Working experience in the relevant field in the Pacific and Samoa and their governments, knowledge of GEF and UNDP policies and practices are an advantage;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners, people skills for negotiation;
Computer proficient, especially related to professional office software packages.

Language:

Fluency in English (oral and written) is a requirement.