Background

Vanuatu ranks as the world’s most vulnerable country due to its high exposure to natural disasters, scattered island geography, narrow economic base, inadequate communication and transportation networks, and limited capacity to cope with disasters including those caused or exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Annually Vanuatu has been impacted by a number of cyclones, which are expected to become more intense under current climatic projections, with coastal communities and ecosystems being most vulnerable and impacted by these events.

Vanuatu is already being and will continue to be heavily impacted by climate change with future scenarios projecting increased temperatures, sea-level rise, and increased severity of cyclones, increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. In addition, an increased likelihood of an increase in the frequency of El Niño events will present its own long-term seasonal challenges. These challenges, combined with rapid population growth spread over 80 islands, an agricultural and coastal-based economy facing acute medium-term challenges and inadequate delivery of government services, especially in remote areas, will continue to limit the potential for long-term sustainable development and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Vanuatu NAPA places particular emphasis on the need for community-based resource management, embracing both traditional and modern practices and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities.

To address these priorities, the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in the Coastal Zone in Vanuatu” (V-CAP) focuses on five of the adaptation options outlined in the NAPA including: i) development of provincial / local adaptation and ICM plans, ii) climate proofing of infrastructure design and development planning, iii) development of an efficient early warning system, iv) awareness raising and capacity building, and v) coastal re-vegetation and rehabilitation.

The overall aim of the V-CAP Project is to improve the resilience of the coastal zone in Vanuatu to the impacts of climate change in order to sustain livelihoods, food production and preserve/improve the quality of life in targeted vulnerable areas. Six sites have been selected for this projects with various interventions.

VCAP is a central project for achieving UNDAF Outcome 1: “Improved resilience of Pacific Island Countries and Territories, with particular focus on communities, through integrated implementation of sustainable environmental management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, and disaster risk management.

The consultancy under this project is part of the corporate outcome of UNDP MCO Fiji “Growth is inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded” (Strategic Plan 2014-2015, Outcome 1). 

After a delay caused by tropical cyclone Pam, the VPAC project is now in the second year of implementation.

The target audience for this assignment are government agencies related to extension of agriculture/forestry practice, and small-holder farmers and fishing communities in selected watersheds within the target areas of VPAC.

The consultancy work will have to take into consideration gradually evolving policies, management plans and guides by the Government of Vanuatu (GoV) and other parties and projects operating in a similar context as VPAC.

The work might be constrained by limited logistical facilities and support infrastructure available. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Agro-Forestry Specialist will work closely with the Water Catchment Planning Specialist and be expected to conduct the following activities:

Output 1.2.2

  1. Review current baseline report and confirm issues and threats affecting terrestrial upland ecosystems with a particular focus on impacts of climate change on agriculture, forestry and protected area management and related resources at the selected V-CAP Project sites;

  2. Develop Integrated Upland Management and Climate Change Adaptation Plan (UMCCAP) through a participatory approach integrating forestry and agriculture linking to water resource and traditional management regimes at the village, community and areas council level identifying time-bound actions for long-term management to include tabu and Community Conservation Areas.

  3. Identify mechanisms and intervention to implement the Upland Management and Climate Change Adaptation Plan (UMCCAP)which will include the development of nurseries, conduction of agricultural training and extension, provision of climate-resilient crops, soft measures, etc,though development of time bound annual work plans

As part of the implementation of Upland Management and Climate Change Adaptation Plan (UMCCAP) develop specific cooperative programs with forestry and agriculture agencies to deliver an agreed series of comprehensive work plans with time bound outputs to be delivered in conjunction with Field Officers, Area Council and appropriate provincial officials and extension staff from key national agencies;                                                  

The process in developing the Upland Management CCA Plan will be a team approach with the water catchment planning consultant. The UPMCCA Plan should link to other project outputs (output 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2 – as per project document which can be share upon request). The UMCCAP should also take into consideration the preliminary Climate Change Adaptation Plan developed at community level in terms of planning interventions on the ground.

The Management plan must consider the listed activities below (a-e) which should be reflected in an implementation plan for the following sites:  North-west Epi Island - Shefa Province, South Santo- Sanma Province, Central Pentecost - Penama Province, Tafea Outer Islands - Tafea Province, South Malekula – Malampa Province, Torres Group – Torba Province (also  referred to as all sites):

  • Identity extension programs in climate change resilient crops and agricultural practices (all sites)
  • Identify erosion hotspots and soft erosion control measures in upland areas (all sites)
  • Support efforts for protection of riparian vegetation from cattle grazing (South Santo- Sanma Province only)
  • Upland management enhanced to minimize sediment flow into waterways and coastal environments (all sites)
  • Identification of terrestrial CCAs (Tafea Outer Islands - Tafea Province, Torres Group – Torba Province)

The engagement process of this work will operate at different levels which includes village level, community level (communities may contain a number of villages) and area council. Field assistants will be provided by the responsible government agency through the VCAP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to provide agricultural extension services, planting of climate resilient species that can withstand heat, drought and disease, provision of climate change resilient species and improve access to markets.     

At the end of the consultancy period, the work conducted should help  contribute to achieving the following targets set out by the project till 2019:

  • Development of 30 Upland Management CCA Plans (UMCCAP) for coastal catchment with actions to reduce run-off resulting in improved turbidity of rivers, streams and coastal waters and a reduction of nutrient-rich sediment reaching the coastal area
  • At least 20 Erosion “hotspots” with actionresulting in reduced erosion
  • Enhanced agricultural productivity

The consultant will also be expected to work with a national specialist and responsible component coordinators while engaging in this work. Because of the scope of work and the accessibility of sites, the work under this consultancy will only need to focus on 4 priority sites as recommended by government. The consultant will be required to provide capacity building to the coordinator during his/her work who will then take on the skills and knowledge to complete the remaining sites.

Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals to support VCAP project
  • Displays gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism and must be culturally sensitive
  • Analytical judgment, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
  • Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication
  • Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines
  • Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders
  • Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty
  • Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
  • Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands, and interests
  • Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
  • Exudes a friendly atmosphere where colleagues/counterparts can easily ask questions and seek assistance

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • MSc in Agriculture or Forestry related subject with focus on integrated farming systems like agro-forestry, permaculture, inter-cropping, sustainable farming, conservation agriculture etc.

Experience:

  • More than 10 years’ experience in agricultural and forestry related work and in designing management plans
  • Has worked in the Pacific region conducting similar work would be an advantage.
  • Technical understanding of sustainable agricultural interventions and forestry planning for at least 15 years or more
  • Demonstrates capacity to assess environmental technical reports and in identifying management strategies
  • Experience working with multiple stakeholders in management planning and in facilitating processes for decision makings across key target audience
  • Documented understanding of global climate change matters with impact on island ecosystems, small island agriculture, forestry, fisheries.
  • English language skill is a must, French and/or Bislama are additional assets

Language:

  • Fluent in English.

Application procedure

“Please combine all your documents (Signed P11/CV, Technical Proposal, Confirmation of Interest and submission of financial proposal form, etc - refer templates in Link: ftp://103.244.229.82/UNDP/Readvert.zip (Username : admin and Password : admin) into one (1) single PDF document as this system only allows to upload maximum one document, failure to combine all document in one will be considered as incomplete and proposal will not be accepted”. Alternatively you can email procurement.fj@undp.org to request for these templates.