UNDP Jobs - 73486- International Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservati

International Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Consultant/Expert for the Preparation of a UNDP/GEF Full-Sized Project Document

Location :

Asmara with field trips to the Project Sites, ERITREA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Aug-2017

Application Deadline :

02-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 working days spread over 8 months with one mission to Eritrea

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 UNDP Eritrea Country Office is seeking a qualified international Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Consultant/Expert for Project Preparation activities in collaboration with two other international experts and three national consultants through a consultative process and prepare the documentation of a new GEF project. From a technical point of view the IC will be primarily responsible for the final expected products.

The goal of the consultancy is to develop the full-sized UNDP-GEF project document (with scope, strategy, and a well-defined result framework). The final outputs of the assignment will be:

A UNDP Project Document prepared per the official template; and
A GEF CEO Endorsement Request as per the official GEF template, which will be prepared in consultation with stakeholders and based on the project framework presented in the approved Project Identification Form (PIF) (annexed). Furthermore, all comments raised by GEF (GEFSEC, Council members and STAP) and countries will be addressed during the project development phase.

The proposed project will create the conditions necessary to mainstream sustainable land management, forestry and biodiversity conservation into land-use planning and agricultural production practices in the Nakfa Sub-Zoba. As indicated in the title of the project, the main approach for addressing land and ecosystem degradation and therefore promoting SLM and forestry and biodiversity conservation will be through the restoration of degraded ecosystems and landscapes so that they continue to provide the necessary ecosystem goods and services that guarantee that the livelihoods of arable and pastoral farmers remain viable. The project will promote enhanced social mobilization towards addressing land degradation and the upgrade of institutional and human resource capacity will improve implementation of on-the-ground measures – such as reforestation, enrichment planting, establishment of enclosures and agroforestry – to address environmental deterioration. There are few alternatives to ensuring food security in Eritrea, other than through intensifying agriculture and increasing agricultural productivity at household and farm level, but this has had significant negative consequences on Eritrea’s landscapes and ecosystems. The project will therefore demonstrate how agricultural development, landscape and ecosystem restoration/rehabilitation and sustainable forest management can be simultaneously achieved with tangible benefits for both the environment and local communities.

The proposed project is located in the Rora Habab Plateau, in the Nakfa sub-zoba. Rora Habab Plateau is situated approximately 250 km north-west of Asmara. The Plateau lies between 1,500m to 2,760m above sea level and extends about 40 km to the south, rising in many places up to 1,000m above the surrounding countryside. The juniper-olive woodlands and associated vegetation are important economic, ecological and cultural resources for local people.

The PPG will expand on the threats, long-term desired condition and baselines outlined in the PIF. This will include:

elaboration and expansion of the narrative on the threats to forests, rangelands, biodiversity and ecosystem services at national level in general and in the Rora Habab Plateau area (project area/site) in particular, quantifying the magnitude where relevant;
confirm the long-term desired condition, in view of these threats; and,
confirm the baseline programs, clearly outlining their objectives, duration and budgets, and explaining the link between these expenditures and the proposed project outcomes (and activities where these are clear).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Expert will lead the work on biodiversity and habitat mapping and threat assessments to determine the potential for the recovery of the Nubian Ibex in Eritrea, and the Rora Habab Plateau landscape in particular.

More specifically, the consultant will complete the following tasks:

Assessment of gaps and opportunities for integrating the Nubian Ibex conservation concerns into the national policies, plans and associated projects that govern landscape level conservation and management at national, regional (and sub-zoba) and community levels;
Assist in the compilation and collation of existing baseline data information, as relevant to Nubian Ibex, its wild predator, habitat condition and mountain ecosystem function and services;
Independently identify critical mountain ecosystem functions that need to be reinforced for improved management;
In close cooperation with the other professionals identify conservation hotspots in light of the prevailing conservation issues and determine the effective ways of addressing these issues in the framework of the project; Particularly focus on the issues related to local livelihoods, and issues around human-wildlife conflict and competition for habitat;
Review all available research material on Nubian Ibex and associated fauna in the model landscapes;
Identify major gaps in baseline surveys and collect field data accordingly;
Utilizing available methods estimate current population of Nubian Ibex in Eritrea;
Perform Habitat Suitability Analysis to identify key Nubian Ibex habitats in Eritrea;
Based on Nubian Ibex habitat suitability modelling, and in consultation with regional/sub-zoba and Eritrean Wildlife Authority or other relevant institutions, and local communities, identify priority areas for PA establishment or expansion within model landscapes;
Identify PAs within model landscapes, for which management and financial plans shall be developed during the project implementation; and
While identifying potential PAs and project interventions, the consultant should consider the emerging dynamics of climate change and its impacts on the Nubian Ibex.

Competencies

Sound knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and wildlife conservation, forest restoration and sustainable land management;
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in order to communicate complex, technical information to both technical and policy and general audiences, including strong policy advice skills;
Strong technical writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Relevant advanced degree (i.e.; Masters or equivalent) in natural sciences, environmental studies or other related fields.

Experience:

Excellent knowledge and minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in the field of wildlife research and conservation;
Experience in highland biodiversity and Nubian Ibex (or similar species) research.
Proven ability to verify, critically analyze data and information and to present finished work with a high degree of accuracy and technical quality in a relatively short time;
Work experience in Eritrea or the Horn of Africa and/or African countries preferred;

Language:

Full command of and fluency in English, with a high degree of proficiency in writing in this language is a requirement;