UNDP Jobs - 59118- International Forest Land/Seascape Planning and Ma

International Forest Land/Seascape Planning and Management Specialist

Location :

Home-based with Travel to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Tanintharyi Region, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

(50) 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

UNDP Myanmar has been implementing UNDP Country Programme for 2013-2017 with the aim to promoting local governance, growth and sustainable development with the emphasis on rights-based, gender sensitive, inclusive and equity. This goal will be pursued through three complementary components; Local Governance, Environmental Governance and Disaster Resilience, and Democratic Governance.

Environmental Governance and Disaster Resilience Component focuses on strengthening capacities at local, regional and national level to manage and utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, and to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity to long-term climate change including variability impacts and to reduce the associated risk of natural disasters.

UNDP has been closely working with Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry to improve environmental governance in Myanmar. UNDP developed the Project Identification Form (PIF) on Ridge to Reef: Integrated Protected Area Land and Seascape Management in Tanintharyi” with the guidance of MOECAF and in consultations with the relevant line departments and Tanintharyi Region Government. The PIF was submitted to Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and it was approved by GEF Secretariat.

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been obtained to carry out necessary preparation of the full-fledge project proposal. In order to ensure the results of the project preparation work, UNDP is seeking an international consultant, Forest land/seascape planning and management specialist to support the development of project document. The approved PIF is attached for reference and to be supported for fully formulated project document.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of Programme Specialist/Programme Analyst of UNDP CO and with the guidance of Regional Technical Adviser, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Bangkok Regional Hub, and closely working with the PPG Team Leader and other international and national consultants, the specialist is responsible for the following PPG outputs:

Needs Assessment for Integrated Land/seascape Planning and Management:

This assessment will develop a project strategy and plan for implementation of integrated approach on ridge to reef planning, including interactions between subsistence and commercial activities and biodiversity threats across the broader land/seascapes. The study will include:

Quick review of relevant documents including NBSAP, species conservation plans etc. compiling spatial data on biodiversity and PAs in Tanintharyi;
Assessment of threat to existing PAs, planned PAs and current and future land/sea use, with priority threats and problems facing each PA and surrounding land/seascapes, placing an emphasis on the three target PAs;
Ecosystem integrity assessment at land/seascape level, including ridge to reef connectivity assessment, with analysis on interactions of subsistence, commercial and illegal activities and identification of key areas and interventions for applying the ridge to reef approach;
Documentation of KBAs, key species concentrations and abundance, and needs assessment concerning key species in terms of priorities for habitat protection;
Elaborate on the dynamics and links between the terrestrial and marine environment in Tanintharyi to make the case for ridge to reef management;
Conduct assessment of knowledge gaps on the status of biodiversity within PA land/seascapes, and the dynamics and links between the terrestrial and marine environment, as well as the adequacy of data management systems currently in use;
Investigate application of the Biogeographic Assessment Framework (BAF)* developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support the analysis on integrated management and land and marine resources, as recommended by STAP;
Develop the project strategy and detailed plan for supporting implementation of ridge to reef approach – integrated land/seascape planning and management in Tanintharyi.

For more details and documents to be downloaded, please follow the link below:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=24479.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in natural sciences, environmental studies or other related fields.

Experience:

Excellent knowledge and minimum 8 years of demonstrable experience in integrated planning and management of biodiversity-rich land/seascape and ridge to reef approach;
Substantial knowledge and experience in tropical biodiversity conservation and protected area management preferably in Myanmar and/or in similar ecosystems;
Knowledge of GEF, UNDP policies, procedures and practices and working experience with international organizations or GEF funded biodiversity projects is an advantage;
Strong coordination and relationship management skills;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Language:

Excellent English language skills with strong technical writing skills.