Antecedentes
The project will conserve biodiversity in key landscapes within the Caspian broadleaf deciduous forest Eco region. The Eco region is recognized for its high levels of endemism; it is also an important storehouse of threatened species. It will do this by strengthening the national and local policy framework governing land use in the Caspian forests (which cover an area of approximately 1.8 million hectares), enhancing the rights and roles of the local communities in their management and demonstrating ways and means of improving management (including land use planning, zoning, compliance monitoring and enforcement). The project will trigger a paradigm shift from sector-focused management to multiple use management, to reduce the conjunction pressures arising from different land uses. It will put in place the necessary policy and regulatory mechanisms needed to mainstream biodiversity conservation considerations into land use plans and build the capacities of key institutions to implement the reformed planning and management approach.The project is thus consistent with GEF Strategic Objective 2 of GEF 5: Mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into production landscapes, seascapes and sectors and in particular Outcome 2.1: Increase in sustainably managed landscapes and seascapes that integrate biodiversity conservation. The successful implementation of this project will set the foundations for replication of the approach in other important forest ecosystems across the country. The project will be responsible for achieving the following project objective: “To put in place a collaborative governance system and know-how for managing a mosaic of land uses in the Caspian Hyrcanian forest that provides habitat integrity and helps maintain landscape level ecosystem functions and resilience”. The proposed project is designed to lift the barriers to establishment of a landscape approach to the management of biodiversity. The project comprises three complementary Outcomes, which will be cost-shared by the GEF and co-financing:
- Outcome 1. An enabling policy and regulatory framework;
- Outcome 2. Institutional and staff capacity strengthening for multiple-use forest management;
- Outcome 3. Community piloting of integrated forest management.;
Deberes y responsabilidades
The SFS is the primary source of international technical support for implementation of project Outcome 3: “Community based integrated forest management piloted” and will also support the mainstreaming of community-based forestry into Outcomes 1 and 2.The SFS will undertake the following specific tasks:- Provide support in development of a Community mobilisation plan (roadmap) and advise on its implementation.
- Advise and support the establishment of community committees, cooperatives or other governance mechanisms for community-based forestry;
- Advise and support the provision of community training according to identified needs;
- Support the preparation and implementation of community-based Forest Management Plans covering 30,000ha;
- Support the design and implementation of Alternative livelihood plans (including local financing mechanisms) that will help reduce pressure on forest resources, using PRA as well as other participatory processes to establish project socio-economic baseline in pilot landscapes;
- Advise and support the survey of indigenous knowledge on forest management;
- Provide technical back-up to the Local Community Mobilisation consultants to ensure integrity of the community mobilization with forest management plans and adhere to the agreed work plan;
- Provide the project with international best practices related to community based forestry, and support the project team in networking with other GEF projects and international knowledge centers addressing similar issues, to ensure transfer of international knowledge and regional/national capacity building;
- Monitor & implementation of the work plan for Outcome 3 and provide adaptive management advice to ensure the work is completed on time and to a high quality;
- Advise on integration of community-based forestry into Outcomes 1 and 2 and support the implementation of necessary activities (eg development of policies and plans);
- Provide technical comments on draft reports prepared by national consultants, and be responsible for the quality of the final product;
- Support the project by providing training to the FRWO and others in community-based forest management(including training materials).;
- Carry out site visits and meetings with communities and project stakeholders according to mission plans to be prepared in consultation with the project NPM, IPA, SNA and UNDP;
- Support project team to plan related technical events such as workshops and training courses.
- Other technical support as requested by the National Project Manager (NPM) and/or UNDP, within the constraints imposed by the availability of working days.
Competencias
Core competencies:- Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN in actions and decisions, in line with the UN code of conduct;
- Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work, including the community-based approach and participatory management and planning;
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the project;
- Compelling (verbal & written) communication skills including ability to prepare reports, formulate and defend sound recommendations and articulate opinions concisely conveying maximum necessary information.
- Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;
- Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and focus on impacts and results;
- Demonstrated aptitude to build effective partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders;
- Capacity to coordinate monitoring activities, to mentor programme/project staff/national counterparts as well as national/international consultants and provide guidance and support;
- Leadership and Self-Management;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities,
- Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data;
- Excellent communication and networking skills.
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
Education:- PhD or Masters’ degree in the area of Natural Resources Management or Forestry or equivalent..
- 10 years demonstrated international experience and knowledge insocial forestry / community-based management, including relevant reports and publications;
- Good networks with international related networks and institutes;
- Previous experience of supporting international projects on community based forest management, including work planning, implementation, monitoring and building capacity for project team;
- Excellent communication and networking skills and ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of Iran and/or the project region would be an asset.
- Excellent written and spoken English.