UNDP Jobs - 82043- National Consultant to undertake Feasibility Study

National Consultant to undertake Feasibility Study and Marketing Survey of Sustainable Local Handicrafts

Location :

Vientiane & Savannakhet, LAO PDR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

22-Nov-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

November 2018 - March 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 UNDP-GEF Sustainable Forest and Land Management in the Dry Dipterocarp Forest Ecosystems of Southern Lao PDR Project (SAFE Ecosystems Project) aims to support the government of Lao PDR to facilitate a transformative shift towards sustainable land and forest management in the forested landscape of Savannakhet Province. This sustainable management will help to secure critical wildlife habitats, conserve biodiversity and maintain a continuous flow of multiple services such as the provision of quality water and flood prevention. The project will be implemented over a period of six-years from May 2016 to May 2022 by the Department of Forestry (DOF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The Dry Dipterocarp Forest (DDF) ecosystems located in Savannakhet Province are recognized for being globally important as habitat for a number of globally significant and threatened species, and nationally important for their provision of numerous ecosystem services that benefit the people of Lao PDR. In recent decades, DDF ecosystems and the species within them have come under increasing threat from large-scale conversion of forest, degradation of forest ecosystem services, and species loss.

Recognizing their global and national importance, the Government of Lao PDR (GoL) has prioritized the conservation and sustainable management of the Dry Dipterocarp Forests landscape of Savannakhet province. As a measure of the GoL’s commitment to the DDF landscape, it has selected this area to be the site of the newest National Protected Area in the country, and as a demonstration site for testing the implementation of new national policies and processes related to Strategic Environmental Assessment, Integrated Spatial Planning, and High Conservation Value Forests. The GoL has also identified this landscape as suitable for the development and implementation of innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable forest management and protected area management, as well as community participation in protected areas management, ecotourism programs, and livelihoods programs linked to conservation outcomes through formal Conservation Agreement mechanisms.

This SAFE Ecosystems Project will seek to strengthen land and resource use planning capacities and procedures, and the policies and regulations that govern them, while simultaneously expanding and strengthening the management of resources on the ground by government agencies, local communities and private sector actors. Furthermore, the project is developing innovative financing mechanisms and programs (including ecotourism and livelihoods programs) that can ensure the sustainability of improved land use and resource management approaches.

Sustainable Handicrafts and Income Generation Activities through Community Conservation Agreements

In order to ensure local communities are fully engaged with Sustainable Forest Management activities, the project has recently initiated a process of developing Community Conservation Contracts. Using this methodology, 16 target villages (which consist mainly of Lao Loum, Bru/Katang ethnic groups) within the project area will agree to implement conservation actions such forest patrolling, reforestation, as well as compliance with forest and land use laws. In return for this, the SAFE Ecosystems Project will provide agreed upon benefit packages to these villages for implementing these activities.

The benefit packages will need to be determined on a case by case basis, reflecting needs and priorities of particular communities as well as technical considerations relating to what types of livelihood investments may be suitable. Components of a benefit package could include investments in alternative livelihoods (e.g. provision of equipment, construction of facilities and training to improve local production practices). One potential alternative livelihood that has been identified through participatory village dialogues has been the production of local handicrafts.

Investments in alternative livelihoods through the SAFE Ecosystems Project will be positioned explicitly as an incentive, conditional on conservation performance, so that it is clear that the funding for the investment itself is a benefit. Activities to support alternative livelihoods such as the production of local handicrafts will only be selected if they can be expected to generate as much or more income as the activity for which they are intended to serve as a substitute, thereby making environmentally sustainable options viable and more attractive than unsustainable options. As such, it is necessary to conduct a feasibility study and market survey to determine if local handicraft production is in fact a suitable alternative livelihood option. Once this initial research is complete, and provided the results are positive, it will then be necessary to develop and support Village Handicraft Groups as appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

National expertise is required for a to conduct a Feasibility Study and Marketing Survey of Sustainable Local Handicrafts within 16 Villages of Savannakhet Province. The overall objective of the consultancy is to assist the SAFE Ecosystems Project and Provincial Government Authorities – mainly PAFO and DAFO - to (i) analyze handicraft development within the villages, (ii) identify product lines that have the potential to sustainably contribute to income generation, (iii) determine potential markets for these products, (iv) recommend measures for further development these products, and (v) draft a strategic plan for handicraft development.

Under supervision of the UNDP Head of Natural Resources Management and Climate Change Unit and the SAFE Ecosystems Project National Project Director, the National Consultant will be required to undertake the following duties:

Collect relevant data on social-economic conditions, off-farm activities (including handicraft activities), available natural and human resources and skills in Xonnabouly, Phine, Thapangthong, Songkhone and Phalanxay Districts.
Hold interviews with select villagers about their interest and potential to (further) develop handicraft products.
Compare collected information with the other districts of Savannakhet province and other provinces of Lao PDR to identify competitive advantages of the 5 target districts;
Collect relevant data and information outside these districts and in Kaysone City regarding the demand for specific handicraft products.
Interview wholesalers/re-sellers of specific local handicraft products to determine design, quality and quantity requirements.
Prepare a list of organizations (private and government) that support the development of local handicraft products.
Together with the Provincial Department of Industry and Commerce (PDIC) and the 5 District Industry and Commerce Offices (DICOs), analyse collected data and to identify strengths and weaknesses (as well as comparative advantages) within the five target districts, relevant available resources and required skills.
Together with the 5 DICOs develop suggestions for developing potential local handicraft activities.
Assist the 5 DICOs present the findings and draft a Handicraft Strategic Plan to be presented at a Provincial workshop.
Report the results of the feasibility study and marketing survey with recommendations and a strategic plan for local handicraft production at a Provincial workshop.

Competencies

· Proven knowledge of handicraft production in Lao PDR.

· Proven market orientation in their approaches.

· Capacity to facilitate and mobilize participation of local authority, private sector, ethnic minorities and rural households.

· Proven ability to analyze complex issues, draw relevant conclusions and produce a comprehensive technical report.

· Ability to work in cross-cultural settings.

· Excellent report writing skills (in English); excellent command of Lao language.

· Ability and willingness to travel within Lao PDR.

· Knowledge of UNDP and the UN system is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

A. Academic Qualifications:

· Holds at least a Masters’ Degree from a recognized University in the subject of Economics, Sociology, Business Development or other relevant Social Sciences.

B. Years of experience:

· Minimum of 5 years working experience with at least 3 years with international cooperation projects in areas related to handicraft production or rural off-farm sub-sectors development.