UNDP Jobs - 34320- Forest Monitoring and Inventory Expert

Forest Monitoring and Inventory Expert

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Dec-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+). The Programme was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening role and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Solomon Islands joined the UN-REDD Programme in February 2010, and the Initial National Programme Document (INPD) was signed in May 2011. The Initial National Programme (INP) is designed to support broad-based, multi-stakeholder consultation and engagement, analysis of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and capacity development for national forest monitoring and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV). The INP intends to work closely with a regional REDD+ support programme, implemented by the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and other key partners including the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Forest Monitoring and Inventory Expert will support the implementation of the INP by working closely with the National Programme Director (NDP), FAO and UNDP regional technical officers, the programme’s international policy advisor and the REDD+ focal points from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MFR) to support Readiness capacity development on technical forest monitoring and inventory related to REDD+.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme implementation support and quality assurance

Lead technical forest monitoring and inventory activities of the INP as determined appropriate;
Provide technical input to the National REDD+ Readiness Roadmap.

Capacity assessment and training

Lead the assessment of technical forest monitoring and inventory capacity and knowledge gaps that exist in government and non-government entities;
Follow international technical guidance and best practice (UNFCCC, IPCC) to design and deliver training courses and workshops, at the national and subnational levels, on forest monitoring, forest inventory and MRV for REDD+, to address the identified capacity and knowledge gaps;
Provide practical in-field training to government and non-government stakeholders on forest inventory, focusing on nationally-important forest types such as mangroves;
Draft technical chapters on forest monitoring and MRV, and forest reference emissions levels/forest reference levels (RELs/RLs), for the National REDD+ Readiness Roadmap;
Draft practical guidelines on MRV and forest information monitoring to aid national institutions in overseeing and coordinating activities and information in these areas;
Contribute to and develop other technical documents, as necessary.

Programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation

Provide input to quarterly and annual National Programme work plans and budgets;
Provide input on progress with implementation on technical components of the National Programme to semi-annual and annual National Programme reports to the UN-REDD Secretariat;
Prepare an end-of-assignment report which focuses on key lessons learned and best practices drawn from capacity building processes as well as major substantive areas for future work.

Programme coordination and contributions to the regional efforts

Advise the NDP, MECDM, MFR and UNDP in strategically linking forest monitoring and MRV capacity building activities with relevant initiatives by other national and regional entities, such as SPC and GIZ;
Work closely with SPC and GIZ to streamline regional forest monitoring and MRV capacity building activities.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values
Demonstrated knowledge and skills on REDD+ in particular in areas concerning monitoring and MRV
Extensive knowledge in technical forest monitoring and/or inventory training, including data collection and data management/archiving (forestry experience in pacific islands ecosystems an advantage)
Experience in working with government, non-government forestry stakeholders at the national and local levels as well as with international development partners
Familiarization with UNDP project procedures desirable
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different backgrounds
Excellent computer skills
Ability to take initiative to work independently, as well as part of a team

Required Skills and Experience

Qualification

Advanced degree in Forest Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field;

Experience

At least 7 years of professional experience on forest monitoring and/or forest inventory, including field experience;
Experience of delivering technical forest monitoring and/or inventory training, including data collection and data management/archiving;
Experience working with both government and non-government forestry stakeholders at the national and local levels;
Experience in working with international development partners;
Professional experience in the Solomon Islands and/or the Pacific region is an asset;
Forestry field experience in Pacific island ecosystems a distinct advantage
Knowledge of REDD+, in particular in areas concerning monitoring and MRV;

Language:

Advanced proficiency in both spoken and written English;
Excellent communication and organisational skills.