Historique
Eritrea hosts a wealth of globally significant biodiversity, including remnants of the world’s only viable population of free ranging African wild ass, a unique northern Africa elephant population, highland forest unique to the Horn of Africa, and an extensive, ecologically intact Red Sea marine environment. Approximately 126 mammal, 90 reptile, 19 amphibian and 600 bird species have so far been recorded in the country. A total of 14 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified and the country is also an important migration route and stop-over location for many bird species. In terms of flora, Eritrea contains a rich diversity with approximately 700 species of plants and the country is considered a center of origin and diversity for several cereal crops, notably sorghum, wheat and barley.
The natural resources found in the country are a critical element to the development and wellbeing of Eritrean people. Agriculture and pastoralism are the main sources of livelihood for about 80 percent of the country’s population while fishing also forms an important segment of livelihood support system to the coastal population and economy. However, threats to Eritrea’s biodiversity are numerous, real and potential. As a largely agrarian society, with high levels of rural poverty and dependence on natural resources, habitat loss due to deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture, and harvesting of wild resources are major threats. Other threats include invasive alien species, development activities such as mining and tourism, and climate change.
Several barriers to institutionalising biodiversity and natural resource conservation, particularly protected area management exist in Eritrea. For instance, the country does not currently have the institutional capacity required to design and implement the laws and policies required to support the establishment of a national system of conservation areas. So modern Eritrea does not have a protected-area system and/or any protected areas in line with the international practice of establishing national parks and nature reserves.
Additionally, existing regulatory frameworks/proclamations regarding natural resources conservation in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems do not have a clear framework for how conservation programs and protected areas in these ecosystems can be established and neither do they reflect the modern principles and practices related to stakeholder driven and supportive processes. Moreover, there is no clear institutional framework to guide management of protected areas once they are established, including requirements for management and business planning.
To address the aforementioned barriers to biodiversity conservation in Eritrea, a project titled “integrated Semenawi and Debubawi Bahri-Buri-Irrori-Hawakil Protected Area System for Conservation of Biodiversity and Mitigation of Land Degradation” has been designed with an overall goal to ensure the integrity of Eritrea’s diverse ecosystems in order to secure the viability of the nation’s globally significant biodiversity. The project objective is to create policy and institutional conditions to operationalize the national protected area system. (See project document:
It is against this background that UNDP and the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment (MoLWE) are seeking to recruit a competent International Biodiversity Conservation Law and Policy Specialist/Expert to support the Government of the State of Eritrea with the development of a National Protected Areas legislation and implementation guidelines necessary to operationalize the National Protected Areas Management System.
Devoirs et responsabilités
The team leader will perform the following tasks:
- Lead and manage the consultancy team as well as liaison/communication with UNDP and the Department of Environment, MoLWE;
- Assume overall leadership and responsibility for the analysis, quality and timely submission of all deliverables to the UNDP Country Office and the Department of Environment, MoLWE;
- Guide in desk review of documents, development of inception report detailing the methodology and work plan of the assignment;
- Lead the briefing with UNDP and Department of Environment, MoLWE to agree on the scope of the assignment, methodology and approach, including the methods for data collection and analysis; and outline of the PA legislation and implementation guidelines;
- Lead in preparation and facilitation of the presentations during the validation workshop;
- Decide the work specification for members of the consultancy team and ensure efficient division of tasks between the consultancy team members;
- Lead in information/data collection from relevant government bodies and other key stakeholders;
- Be part of the field visit team to the key biodiversity conservation areas in Eritrea;
- Regularly update UNDP and the Department of Environment, MoLWE on the progress of undertaking the assignment as well as any obstacles that might occur.
Compétences
Corporate competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly and without favouritism; and
- Shows strong corporate commitment.
Functional Competencies:
- Sound knowledge and expertise in policy issues related to Natural Resource Management;
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline;
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Demonstrated ability to multitask under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.
Qualifications et expériences requises
Required expertise and qualification of the International Consultant (Team Leader)
Education:
- The team leader should possess advanced university education at Masters or PhD level in either of the following fields: Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resource Management/Environmental Law, Public Policy or related fields;
Experience:
- The team leader should possess at least 15 years of relevant experience and broad knowledge of biodiversity conservation (both marine and terrestrial) and protected area management issues;
- Of which at least 8 years of extensive experience in development/review of legal/policy frameworks related to biodiversity conservation and/or protected areas management;
- Should possess a good understanding of challenges and opportunities linked to biodiversity conservation versus natural resource use in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems in developing nations;
- Strong knowledge about the political and socio-economic dynamics related to biodiversity conservation and land-use management at national and regional (local) state levels;
- Should demonstrate a solid capacity to engage with a wide audience of diverse backgrounds including senior government officers as well as local communities;
- Experience working on biodiversity conservation in Africa is a requirement, and experience in the Horn of Africa is desirable.
Language:
- Excellent written and spoken English and presentational skills.