Background

The project ‘Community-based Forest and Coastal Conservation and Resources Management in Papua New Guinea’ aims to develop and demonstrate resource management and conservation models for landholding communities that effectively incorporate community-managed conservation areas. It is expected that an additional 1million hectares will be identified and established through this Project as part of agreed national priorities, which are aligned to the UN CBD targets.
The expected outputs of the Project are a national enabling environment for a community-based sustainable national system of Protected Areas (PAs) to effect conservation planning; an identification and establishment of new PAs through a structured science-based process to include the conversion of viable existing Wildlife Management Areas into Conserved Areas (CAs); a Conservation Area management planning in partnership with communities to deliver the economic development outcome of sustaining conservation-compatible livelihood opportunities; and a capacity development for CA management at the provincial, district and local level to support the delivery of improved services for communities within and around CAs.
PNG holds 5-9% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity (DEC 2010) and 10% of the world’s total of coral reefs and marine biodiversity (DEC 2010). However, less than 4% or 1.9 million hectares (DEC 2010) and less than 0.07% of the terrestrial waters or 2,800 km2 (WWF, 2009) is under the Protected Area system. Based on 2009 IUCN data, 36 are critically endangered, 49 endangered, 365 considered vulnerable, 288 near threatened and 1289 classified as Least Concern (DEC 2010). PNG’s rich biodiversity is under customary ownership, which makes up 97% of the total land area (DEC 2010).
Conservation in PNG is hindered by a combination of systemic and policy barriers to effectively manage PAs in combination with the capacity and economic development barriers at the local (community/ clan) level that directly affect the decisions communities make about the use of their natural resources. The challenge lies in devising resource-allocation decision-making models that allow communities to fulfill their income needs and developmental aspirations, while ensuring that a viable, representative proportion of the country’s terrestrial and marine resources are conserved for national and global environmental purposes. The only mechanism by which these two goals can be aligned is through the model of community-based conservation areas. However the large-scale establishment of such CAs is hindered by the range of policy, capacity and financial barriers described above.
The approximate duration of the International Consultant’s work is for six months. This includes travels within the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives
  • The main objective of the consultancy is to assist the implementing partner, Department of Environment and Conservation initiate implementation of the project.
Scope of Work
  • The scope of services is wide and aims to encourage the Consultant to openly engage key stakeholders in the consultation process under the guidance of DEC and UNDP. The Consultant should combine his/her expertise and knowledge on the subject matter, while ensuring transparency and accountability on the decision-making process.
The Consultant is expected to:
  • Develop and present within the first 2 weeks of the engagement, a scheduling document outlining the tasks and activities of the Consultant will undertake throughout the contract duration. This should consist of the existing project workplan and budget.
  • Develop and present within the first 2 weeks, a design for the series of consultative workshops to engage all relevant stakeholders to begin implementation.
  • Desk review on existing international and PNG documents on forest and marine conservation/protection including recent developments in policies and programs to contribute to the finalisation of a national Protected Area Policy and Legislation.
  • By end of Week 6, initiate development of a tool specific to the PNG context that can be ‘tested’ through broad national, sub-national and community level consultations, to screen data and information towards the identification and establishment of National Biodiversity Integrated System for conservation areas that has the capacity to be flexible where necessary, to a variety of community contexts.
  • Consult with a broad range of stakeholders throughout the engagement to ensure a broad range of viewpoints are considered and, where possible, incorporated into the initiation of project activities’ implementation.
  • On the 2nd month, facilitate a series of consultative workshops to outline the preliminary result of consultation and receive feedback on the initial work plan. A short report is required on the process and outcomes of the consultative workshops.
  • Consult and update DEC, UNDP and Project Advisory Board every end of each month.
  • On the 3rd month, present to DEC, UNDP and other key stakeholders a draft AWP in particular the management arrangements to undertake specific tasks and/or activities for endorsement.
  • On Month 3 onwards, initiate the implementation of approved project activities while ensuring management arrangements and other official documentation are finalized and signed.
  • Work in a collegial manner and maintain good working relations with a broad range of stakeholders on issues that may be sensitive in nature.

For acces to the proposal forms, refer link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=10772

Competencies

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;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

An international programme management specialist is suggested to demonstrate competency in one or more of the areas:

  • Environment and natural resource management with demonstrated knowledge of PNG’s forestry and marine conservation
  • Sociology, anthropology or social science with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of PNG’s diverse social and cultural systems to include a strong network within civil society;
  • Policy and governance system with demonstrated expertise in PNG’s policy and legislative framework related to environment and conservation.

A successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated experience of working with a range of stakeholders from public, private sector and communities within or around Protected and Community Conserved Areas; and
  • Display strong inter-personal skills, especially oral and written communication skills;
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Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • At least a post-graduate degree in their specialized field

Experience:

  • At least five years of demonstrated working experience in his/her specialist field in PNG and other countries within Asia-Pacific;
  • At least five years experience on programme management. Experience working in a UN in particular UNDP environment will be an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

  • Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential.

FC: 62000