Background

The United Nations Development Programme in Belarus (UNDP) and European Commission (EC) jointly implement the international technical assistance project “Sustainable Development at Local Level”. The main aim of the project is to develop capacity for preparation and implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the regions of the Republic of Belarus. Planned project activities include informational and training events, research, legal analysis, exchange of expertise in the field of sustainable development with neighboring countries as well as dissemination of good practices of Local Agenda 21 and Greenways implementation throughout Belarus. The national implementing agency of the project is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus (Ministry of Environment).

One of the project activities is to arrange a study tour to Poland on Local Agenda 21 for Belarusian authorities, private sector and civil society representatives, community leaders to exchange practical experience on sustainable development at local level and to study good practices of development and implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the neighboring country. Poland has succeeded in implementation of a number of activities at local level with wide public participation aiming at preparation of sustainable development plans for urban and rural municipalities in agreement with Local Agenda 21 methodology, benchmarking, monitoring and evaluation, establishment of the sustainable cities networks, which promote Local Agenda 21. Therefore, it is expected that Belarusian participants (approx. 25 persons) of the study tour will gain substantive experience in local community-led initiatives on sustainable development and learn good practices of implementation of Local Agenda 21. The study tour should be held in November 2009. The duration of the event is about 5 working days, including the dates of arrival/departure of the Belarusian delegation

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be based in Poland. He/she will directly report to the Task Coordinator of the project (LA21-Greenways) in close coordination of his/her work with UNDP Belarus and the Ministry of Environment. The Local Facilitator (study tour) will be responsible for all organizational arrangements and thematic support related to the study tour for the Belarusian delegation in Poland.

• Propose a destination for the study tour in Poland;
• Prepare and provide the Task Coordinator (LA21-Greenways) for approval with an electronic version of the detailed programme of the study tour on sustainable development at local level before 1 November 2009, including the following activities:
• Two presentations of good practices in the field of sustainable development at local level (successful experience in preparation and implementation of local strategies of sustainable development, role of self-government and community in sustainable development at local level, etc.);
• Demonstration of minimum two successful initiatives in the field of sustainable development at local level (social events, sustainable production of local products, alternative energy, etc.);
• Two meetings with Polish local initiative groups on preparation and implementation of local strategies of sustainable development for exchange of positive experience in the field and establishing long-term partnerships;
• One presentation of a Greenway creation;
• One presentation of an ecomuseum creation and promotion;
• One meeting with a Greenway initiative group;
• One visit to a Greenway and its main objects for study interpretation of historical, culture and nature heritage;
• One visit to an ecomuseum;
• Prepare and provide the Task Coordinator (LA21-Greenways) with an electronic version of handouts for approval and distribution among participants of the study tour;
• Provide visa support to Belarusian delegation;
• Provide for free the premises for presentations, multimedia equipment and key speakers within the study tour in line with the approved programme;
• Provide assistance to the project team for organization of meals and accommodation of the Belarusian delegation within the study tour in Poland;
• Ensure necessary meetings and visits within the study tour, according to the approved programme;
• Facilitate group discussions/debates within the study tour;
• Provide assistance to the project team in arrangement of translation services within the study tour if it’s necessary.

• The programme of the study tour developed and approved by the Task Coordinator (LA21-Greenways);
• The study tour handouts (about 10 pages) provided;
• Visa support to the Belarusian delegation arranged;
• The activities of the study tour arranged according to the approved programme at high quality and organizational level;
• Necessary assistance in arrangement of translation services, accommodation and meals within the study tour provided.

Competencies

• Experience in Greenways development would be strongly preferable;
• Proven experience in organization of training events;
• Knowledge of international development programmes and/or UNDP/EC procedures would be an advantage;
• Excellent organizational, reporting and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• University Degree in local/regional planning, development studies or related field;
• At least 5 years of experience in sustainable development issues, including experience in the region, where the study tour will be held;
• At least 5 years of experience as key expert in negotiations, facilitation and professional and social reconciliation;
• Excellent spoken and written Polish;
• Good knowledge of English;
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet and e-mail).

Applications procedures:

• complete the form stating their interest in and qualifications for the position as well as a proposed destination for the study tour in Poland (in English);
• Upload completed Personal History Form (PHF) in the required resume field. The PHF form can be downloaded from: http://un.by/vacancy/undp/form/ ; ;