UNDP GEF Jobs - 5122- Consultant: National/International consultant to i

Consultant: National/International consultant to implement the Forest Land Information System

Advertised on behalf of

UNDP GEF

Location :

Port Louis, MAURITIUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Jul-2008

Application Deadline :

04-Jul-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

Approx 50 working days over 6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approx 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

The development of the Forest Land Information System is one of the components of the GoM/UNDP/GEF/FAO Capacity Building for Sustainable Land Management project in Mauritius (including Rodrigues).

A new National Forest Policy for the Republic of Mauritius was published in 2006. The policy document outlines the history of deforestation on the two islands, leading to the current situation where “only about two percent of the native forest which originally covered most of Mauritius now remains …. and very little of it is left on Rodrigues” andprovides an up-to-date framework for the development of the FLIS.The policy document provides further detail, stating that “the degraded upland native forests have since been reforested with fast-growing exotics which form the bulk of the forest plantations”. “The forests of Mauritius are small in area but perform vital functions, the most important of them being soil and water conservation”. Also “the environmental functions of forests in small islands like Mauritius far outweigh their direct economic functions

An FAO report in 2000 estimated that a total of only 57,059ha of forests (including State and private forest, inter alia plantations, protected areas and reserves) remained on Mauritius and Rodrigues (total land area 2,040km², total population around 1.2 million). However, forests play a vital role in soil and water conservation. This is of great significance and importance to agricultural crops, mostly sugar cane plantations, which are cultivated at mid and low altitude.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Contractor will be responsible for:

Retaining sole responsibility for delivery of the project and all outcomes;
Formulation of the project design, scheduling and workplan;
Project management and reporting to the SLM Steering Committee;
Preparation of submissions to attain Steering Committee approval of significant initiatives or modifications to the TORs in the RFP;
Ordering the necessary high resolution digital remote sensing imagery;
Development, modification and customisations of software;
Assisting UNDP / the GoM in purchasing the necessary software / hardware licenses;
Acquisition, collection, verification and development of back-up / storage systems for data required within the FLIS, including negotiations with other Ministries etc (as per TORs);
Awareness raising [across Government organisations, NGOs, community groups and individuals in Mauritius & Rodrigues, also internationally in the scientific community (particularly Forestry and GIS / RS)];
Documenting of the system and procedures sufficient for Forestry Service staff to take over operational responsibility for the system.

For full Terms of Reference for this Poisition are available on http://un.intnet.mu/undp/

Competencies

Expert practitioner in the field of developing geographical information systems for operational management of natural resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Technical expertise in developing specialist geographical information systems using ESRI software and hardware systems as outlined above;
Sound understanding of remote sensing and proven abilities in satellite image processing / interpretation for vegetation mapping / monitoring;
Expertise in using GIS and RS for spatial modelling;
Expertise in training local staff to use / up-date / manage systems such as the FLIS;
A proven track record in developing operational GISs which operates successfully post project.