Antecedentes

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The GEF-GoI-UNDP project on Medicinal Plants (MP) seeks to achieve the long-term conservation and sustainable use of India’s medicinal plant diversity by mainstreaming it into the forest management policy and practice at the national, state and local-levels in three Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. Together, these states represent a broad array of India’s MP diversity, including numerous globally significant species and populations. Nearly 90 percent of India’s MP diversity is found in its diverse natural forest habitats. Though MP stocks are found on government-owned land, harvesting is still largely uncontrolled and unmonitored. The commercial MPs trade is also poorly understood. The project, therefore, aims to create an enabling environment at the national and state levels for mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of MPs into forest management policies and practices. At the local level, the project mainstreams MPs into government and community forest management norms and practices at demonstration sites in the three states. One of the Outcomes of the project is to develop materials and methods for replicating the successful models of conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants across other sites in the three states, and more broadly. One of the activities under this outcome targets at developing communication strategy and tools to support the State Medicinal Plants Boards in ensuring participation of local communities and also to aid in replication both within the States and across other states.
 
One of the tools developed for dissemination of learning of the project and sharing experiences is an electronic network of practitioners, researchers, policy makers and scientists on medicinal plants. This network has been established under the aegis of the climate change community of practice of UN solution exchange, a knowledge management initiative of the UN in India. This network includes representation of all stakeholders presently involved in this project and   invites others interested in medicinal plant conservation to become members and actively participate in this unique knowledge sharing initiative pioneered by UNDP in India through Solution Exchange. This is a common platform to learn and share your experiences, thoughts, ideas, concerns etc. so that members are able to benefit from each other and ensure successful culmination of the project. This e-network will eventually be anchored in the National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of Ayush, Government of India.
 
We are looking for a highly motivated and self-driven individual committed to work in the area of conservation of medicinal plants and natural resource management. S/he will work under the supervision of the National Project Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Programme Analyst, UNDP. S/he will support the Community by generating and maintaining knowledge products through desk research, documentation, codification, and analysis. The person will be responsible for handling all components within the project that deal with knowledge management which will include preparing/guiding the preparation of high quality knowledge products and communication material in the project.
 
The project is in the process of developing a national level communication strategy on conservation and cultivation in medicinal plants. The three project states are already in the process of finalising state level communication strategies and tools. The Associate will ensure that the states finalise the strategies and tools of the field testing. The Associate will help finalise promotional material on medicinal plants, material for exhibition, notes, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentation, speeches and talking points etc.
 
The Associate will work closely with the Community Mobilizer and Outreach Associate to fine tune the proposal for strengthening SMPBs.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The Knowledge Management and Communications Associate is expected to carry out, among others, the following tasks:
  • Anchor membership growth and diversification of a ‘Community of Practitioners’ in the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) sector. Make extra efforts to include grassroots practitioners in knowledge sharing;
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing among members. Enable and encourage practitioners to raise problems and share experiences. Moderate messages, facilitate electronic discussions. Ensure the quality of material posted on the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Community mail groups and websites (consolidate replies, e-discussion summaries, updates, newsletters etc.);
  • Manage the mail group and conduct desk research, mainly through web and document searches and networking, so as to enhance the depth of response to member queries; follow up with community members to obtain material, if required;
  • Maintain and develop websites/links to existing websites of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) etc. Update the websites of MoEF, FRLHT, NMPB, UNDP etc., upload videos, documents, photos etc. on the websites;
  • Update project factsheets on a periodic basis;
  • Help design, coordinate and take responsibility of knowledge events organized under the project;
  • Support and assist in developing and finalising knowledge products for the GEF-GoI-UNDP medicinal plants project;
  • Assist in the preparation, testing and finalisation of the communications tools and strategy;
  • Guide the state project teams on the communications and knowledge management components;
  • Help the Project Monitoring Officer, Project Manager and Programme Analyst edit all knowledge products and provide quality assurance on the QPR, PIR and Terminal Project Report.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:  
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • 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: 
  • Thorough knowledge of the key concerns and challenges facing development practitioners in the areas of biodiversity conservation, with a focus on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants;
  • Highly effective at securing relevant information through desk research; effective at applying web search tools and conventions;
  • Motivated, energetic, positive, thorough, and responsive to the needs of clients;
  • Excellent drafting, analytical, organizational and presentational skills;
  • Proficient with all basic MS Office applications; proficient with or quick to learn new applications; e.g., mail group management and web-design;
  • Good communication Skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 
  • Bachelor’s in natural or social sciences is essential. Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) is desirable.
  • Some courses in subjects relevant to natural resource management is desirable.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of practical experience in the areas of biodiversity conservation at the field or national levels or experience in a research or academic capacity in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants;
  • Experience in knowledge product development, editing, designing etc. Knowledge of audio, video and print media tools would be desirable;
  • Experience in effective use of information technology tools.
Language: 
  • Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi.   

Remuneration package is Rs. 8,44,666/- per annum (taxable).