UNDP Jobs - 87515- Land-use Specialist

Land-use Specialist

Location :

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2019

Application Deadline :

27-Sep-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 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 Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) consists of 870 reef systems reaching up from 2.1 million km2 of the vast deep Central Pacific Ocean. Upon these reef systems are 29 coral atolls and 5 low-lying islands, respectively 22 and 4 of which are inhabited. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), it has a strong dependence on natural resources and biodiversity for food and income. The Marshallese relationship with the islands forms the basis of its culture and way of life which has developed in harmony over thousands of years. In the face of global threats, RMI still has pristine waters and coral reefs that contribute to ecosystem services and livelihoods. In recognition of the importance of its natural assets, RMI together with other SIDS responded to global conservation targets through the Micronesia Challenge and specifically for its part, it prepared Reimaanlok to serve as a clear roadmap of the way forward.

As such, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) committed US$3.9million under the Ridge to Reef STAR Project to support Government of Marshall Islands operationalize the Reimaanlok – the National Conservation Area Plan, adopted in 2008 to effectively conserve at least 30% of the nearshore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020. The project objective is to sustain atoll biodiversity and livelihoods by building community and ecosystem resilience to threats and degrading influences through integrated management of terrestrial and coastal resources.

With GEF financing, the project is expected to expand and sustain RMI protected area network, focusing on the implementation of protected area network (PAN) and thus contributing to the Micronesia Challenge and Aichi targets. As natural resource management is very much interlinked with the outer island residents, improved ecosystem management also contributes towards strengthening climate resilience and community-based adaptation.

Strengthening community-based management structures recognizing traditional ownership of resources (land, coastal, etc) and local-national arrangements to enable communities to take ownership and leadership in the formulation and implementation of integrated management plans is imperative. In the RMI, land rights are highly complex as titles distributed through the family lineage and traditional Marshallese social structure.

The integrated community driven natural resource plans developed under the Reimaanlok process will require land-use arrangements that encourage ecological connectivity and economies of scale for sustainable use of ecosystem goods and service, and implementation of community-based adaptation measures.

The project will engage an international consultant to undertake this work. He/She will lead the work and will be required to work with a National Consultant hereby refer to as the ‘study team’.

The team will take a strategic approach in delivering the expected outcome by conducting a pilot study in Majuro. As part of the pilot work, the team will undertake a consultation workshop with national counterparts and the communities, adopt appropriate methodology and tools used, conduct literature review and adopt best practises from similar work undertaken globally or/and in the region. The study team will conduct a second workshop to inform relevant stakeholders including the CMAC Team and Project Implementation Unit findings before formulating land use arrangements that will effectively strengthen community driven natural resource management.

Duties and Responsibilities

In doing this work, the consultant is expected to work with the local counterparts including that Traditional Rights Court, Historic Preservation Office (HPO), Council of Iroij (Chiefs), Mayors, Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC), Civil Society Organization and community representatives to:

Deliverable 1: Conduct study on land rights issues in the RMI in the context of community driven natural resource management.

Deliverable 2: Support formulation and implementation of a culturally appropriate land-use and enforcement arrangements for community driven natural resource management.

For more details please refer to the Terms of Reference (http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/procurement.html)

Competencies

Minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience in undertaking land-use study and development of land-use arrangements that supports natural resource management.
A land-use lawyer is desirable with experience in undertaking similar work and have a good understanding of Land-Use related legislations.

Minimum 3 years of experience undertaking similar work in developing countries, particularly in small island states with similar challenges to the Pacific island contexts.
Proven experience in establishing good working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders (local communities, government, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, NGOs, etc.)
Previous experience in supporting community-based conservation and participatory processes is desirable.
Knowledge on and work experience in the Pacific advantageous.
Demonstration of Strong networks amongst government, NGO’s and other stakeholders

Ability to operate in different cultural settings and with variety of stakeholders who are culturally sensitive

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Master’s degree in Land Management and/or Land -Use Planning or related field .

Consultancy Proposal (CV & Financial proposal Template ) should be uploaded on UNDP Jobshop website no later than, 27th September 2019 (Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.

NOTE:

Proposals must be sent through UNDP job shop web page. Candidates need to upload their CV and financial proposal -using UNDP template

If the selected/successful Candidate is over 65 years of age and required to travel outside his home country; He/She will be required provide a full medical report at their expense prior to issuance to contract. Contract will only be issued when Proposed candidate is deemed medically fit to undertake the assignment.

Offerors must apply through UNDP Job shop and upload the following mandatory documents.

i) Signed CV including names /email contacts of at least 3 professional referees.

ii) Cover letter setting out: A statement of how the applicant meets the qualifications and experience requirements.

iii) Completed template for confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants must send a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the Individual Consultant´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the Individual Consultant in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Individual Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel that is not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective UNDP business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Detailed Terms of Reference and Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji

website (http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/procurement.html)

Women candidates are encouraged to apply

Interested Candidates must accept UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants

Successful candidate will be required to complete the BSAFE course prior to undertaking any travel related to this consultancy ( online security awareness training). https://training.dss.un.org/course/category/6