UNDP GEF Jobs - 60872- Integrated Biodiversity Assessment of Protection-W

Integrated Biodiversity Assessment of Protection-Worthy Areas Consultancy

Advertised on behalf of

UNDP GEF

Location :

Mbabane, SWAZILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

70 working days over 10 months November 2015 to August 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

70 working days over 10 months November 2015 to August 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

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 (CBD). 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 and enable a matrix of complemental land-use activities across board.

Swaziland, as a signatory to the CBD, amongst other multilateral environmental agreements, is part of the global community with obligations to provide information for ecosystem management, PAs included. Knowledge on the country’s biodiversity is critical for the operationalisation of systematic biodiversity (conservation) planning, management and reporting which begins with evidence generation. This requires the identification of critical information on biodiversity and ecological support for maintenance of ecosystem processes and services. Furthermore, socio-economic information, including an understanding of streams of livelihoods, is critical interventions to inform income generation opportunities while addressing biodiversity conservation challenge, is pertinent.

In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) seeks the technical services of a National Biodiversity Expert to be part of a team to undertake an integrated assessment of the feasibility of sustainable biodiversity conservation investments in the country through PAs. This will also include an investigation on the socio-economic capacities and enabling socio-cultural options in existing PAs and adjacent communities, for both formal and informal settings.

Objectives

To collect data and information for the establishment and operation of GIS-based knowledge and information management systems for the ecological monitoring of PAs and the wider landscapes in the target areas of the SNPAS project. To conduct feasibility studies for sustainable financing for community and PA initiative.

Scope

The assessment will encompass capturing of data (predominantly geo-referenced) on the country’s biodiversity and protected areas. This will be combined with an assessment sustainable financing and socio-economic analysis for both inter-and-intra PAs conditions. This data and information will then be used to inform systemic biodiversity conservation planning, identification of support areas and management and associated vulnerabilities stemming from climate change, land-use and socio-economic scenarios.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the guidance of the Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC), SNPAS Project Steering Committee (PTC) with day-to-day support from the National Project Manager/ Project Managers, the Incumbent will work under the leadership of the International Biodiversity Expert and specifically have the following tasks:

Review the international, regional and national frameworks national policies, strategies and plans relating to biodiversity conservation and protected areas;
Conduct biodiversity assessment for the country with focus on Protected Areas (both formal and informal), ecological hotspots and proposed community cluster arears: Ngwempisi, Mkhaya, Lubombo and Malolotja. Using generated and available taxa and ecosystems data, highlight vulnerabilities to conservation management and the potential for the landscape approach;
Assess the vulnerability of biodiversity and protected areas as influenced or exacerbated by climate change impacts, socio-economic activities and competing land-use activities;
Participate in the prioritization of the identified protection-worthy areas according international and national standards and criteria including biodiversity importance, socio-economic conditions, and capacity management needs;
Support with the development of three (3) Protected Areas Capacity Building Programmes to improve biodiversity management and operations;
Ensure the input of biodiversity data and information into the development of the GIS knowledge-based management system;
Support the development of: Eight (8) Capacity Building Programmes on PA management: in Management, planning; administration and marketing; conflict management and resolution; policing and enforcement; ecotourism and management; community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) and sustainable finance management; One (1) sustainable control programme per type of PA; One (1) sustainable conservation equipment or infrastructure programme per type of PA, and; One (1) sustainable conservation equipment or infrastructure programme per type of PA;
Ensure effective and efficient national stakeholders’ consultations to facilitate timely achievement of deliverables.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Skills in facilitation and coordination, including high level government consultation, with strong communication and inter-personal skills;
Sound judgment and strong client and results orientation;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;

Functional Competencies:

Strong knowledge of Biodiversity Conservation and knowledge of the policy and institutional capacity for the PAs;
Strong knowledge of actors and experience with Swaziland PAs, Tourism and Biodiversity sectors;
Strong knowledge of the Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources and approach to Conservation Management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A postgraduate degree (MSc or higher) in a subject related to Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity/Conservation Management, and Environmental Sciences, Development Studies or related discipline.

Experience:

At least 10 years of experience in biodiversity conservation assessment (preferably in the context of PA and biodiversity assessment); and in demonstrable project/programme management;
Strong knowledge of species distribution modelling and ecosystem assessment;
Proven experience of the Protected Areas in Africa/southern Africa and in support to country process implementation;
Working experience with national or regional institutions concerned with biodiversity conservation and protected areas is a plus;
Advisory experience in effective PA management would be an asset; and
Knowledge of Swaziland and regional biodiversity conservation institutions would be an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English and knowledge of Siswati.