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To apply, interested persons should upload the combined* Technical Proposal/Methodology (if applicable), CV and Offeror’s Letter to “UNDP Jobs” by navigating to the link below and clicking “APPLY NOW”, no later than the date indicated on the “UNDP Jobs” website. Applications submitted via email will not be accepted**: -

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BACKGROUND

The Commonwealth of Dominica’s Protected Areas Estate consists of Forest Reserves, National Parks and Proposed Buffer Zones.

Since 1975, The Commonwealth of Dominica has established several protected areas (PAs) with varying designations, covering 203.8 km2, approximately 27% of the island’s 751 km2. In addition to the island’s three (3) national parks (Morne Diablotin, Cabrits, and the Morne Trois Pitons National Parks), there are the Northern and Central Forest Reserves, Stewart Hall Water Catchment, and Soufriere/Scott's Head Marine Reserve (SSMR). Additional terrestrial and marine sites are proposed for protection but are not formally designated. PAs fall primarily under the responsibility of the Division of Forestry, Wildlife, and National Parks (DFWNP) and the Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF). Each of the marine reserves, the responsibility of the Fisheries Division, are managed by a Local Area Management Authority (LAMA).

There are seven (7) legally established PAs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, both marine and terrestrial, that would constitute a System of Protected Areas. The list also includes an additional three (3) proposed sites that would also fall under a System of Protected Areas if/when legal designation is obtained. Draft management plans have for been prepared for Morne Trois Pitons, Morne Diablotin and Cabrits National Parks as well as for Soufriere Sulphur Springs, but none have been approved by Cabinet nor implemented. Cabrits National Park (CNP) includes both a marine and terrestrial portion. The DFWNP and the Fisheries Division were unable to agree on a single management plan for the CNP due to different management philosophies (promoting non-consumptive vs. consumptive uses, respectively), resulting in 2 discrete plans. A 2011 draft Buffer Zone Plan for the Morne Trois Pitons National Park (MTPNP) was developed though not yet approved nor implemented.

The Central Forest Reserve covers an area of 410 ha (1013 acres) and the Northern Forest Reserve 5,560 ha (13,733 acres). Until 2000, the Northern Forest Reserve was 8,814 ha (21,770 acres); approximately 3450 ha (8525 acres) of this site was re-designated as the Morne Diablotin National Park (MDNP) in January 2000 in order to provide increased protection to the habitat of the 2 single island and globally threatened parrot species. 

The Commonwealth of Dominica’s National Park System comprises three (3) legally established national parks: MTPNP 6,875 ha, was established in July, 1975 and designated World Heritage Site in 1997 under Natural Criteria viii outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation”.

In addition, as part of the overall development and operationalization of a wider system ofnational  protected areas in the Commonwealth of Dominica , the project aims to enhance both opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in and around its network of protected areas, as well as community participation and collaboration in effective management of the sites and their resources.  This would entail increasing community members’ access and capacity for livelihood opportunities in keeping with the goals and objectives of the protected areas.

Devoirs et responsabilités

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK        

The Project will hire a Protected Areas Systems Specialist to carry out an assessment of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s PA system, incorporating any prior or existing work or studies that exist. An assessment should be made of the socio-economic situations and livelihoods of the communities around the protected areas including small and micro-enterprises that support protected area objectives and conservation. Recommendations should be made to enhance and strengthen gender-responsive livelihood opportunities developed through community and stakeholder engagement. The assessment should also include an analysis of the risks associated with PAs in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to the challenges posed by climate change and natural hazard risks. This consultancy is intended to further support long-term sustainability of livelihoods, the protected area sites, and the overall management and institutional growth of the system of protected areas for the Commonwealth of Dominica. In terms of ensuring the overall sustainability of the PA system.

The PA Systems Specialist will work collaboratively with the PA Finance Specialist  to ensure data sharing and complementarity between their work for effectiveness in implementation across the PA System. The consultant should work with the PA Financial Specialist during the inception phase to plan work, to align their work plans and map out a schedule for joint stakeholder meetings. In addition, the PA Systems Specialist will work closely with the PA Finance Specialist to support the project's aim to enhance community/stakeholder livelihoods and co-management in its financial planning, as appropriate, to support overall Protected Area System Management.

Objective

Through stakeholder meetings, the consultant will seek to give greater coherence and clarity to the managed use of the national PA System for the Commonwealth of Dominica, including conducting a socio-economic assessment which includes analysis of factors of gender, inclusion and livelihoods.  Sustainability will also be considered with respect to the existence of the PAs in the context of a SIDS and the implications and risk to livelihoods and biodiversity as a result of climate change and natural hazards. The project’s primary aim for the system is to support long term conservation and protection of the protected areas resources. In addition, this consultancy will work closely with that of the Sustainable PA Finance (consultancy) to support the project’s aim to enhance community/stakeholder livelihoods and co-management in its financial planning, as appropriate, to support overall PA system management.

Activity DescriptionActivity 1.3.5 of the project document calls for the ‘development of a PA system plan that includes an overall management strategy for PAs in Dominica’ and addresses representativeness and connectivity, threat abatement, management effectiveness, governance, participation and distribution of benefits, integration into sectoral plans and processes (such as water improvement projects managed by Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) and the EU-funded Banana Accompanying Measures to enhance productivity of the agriculture sector), a PA system financial plan and development strategy, as well as capacity development strategy and action plan. The overall management strategy would address varying issues related to both terrestrial and marine protected area

As part of this system plan, planning tools will be improved by designing and implementing administrative and financial processes and standards, including:

1. Standardized and coordinated cost and operating procedures between site and system level and between sub-systems that facilitate control and decision making;
2. Uniform criteria and policies for resource and financial management that will define appropriate level of core costs and staffing needs for all PAs, reducing uncertainty in the management of information and increasing coordination and systematic monitoring of investments; and
3. A comprehensive inventory of all assets and equipment in use by the PAs and integrate capital investment and equipment needs into operational plans.

The consultant will become familiar with information on the Commonwealth of Dominica’s Protected Areas and its current management structure, including current and evolving legislation, financial issues, existing resources and coordination of these factors within the PA System. Consequently, the consultant will:

• Submit an inception report and desk review, with stakeholder comments incorporated and finalized prior to the consultant’s mission, that includes:  

1. A literature review of Dominica’s Protected Areas and its current management structure, including current and evolving legislation, financial issues, existing resources and coordination of these factors within the Protected Area System. 
2. An assessment of the effectiveness of Dominica's Protected Areas Systems. This should include an update of the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and a socio-economic assessment 
3. Identification of risks and capacity gaps and how these have been addressed in other SIDS 
4. A detailed methodology and approach based on agreed objectives  
5. A detailed work plan and schedule.   

• Conduct  consultations as appropriate with relevant stakeholders (government, private sector, tour operators, vendors, women’s and men’s organizations, farmers, focus group sessions etc.) to determine trends and priorities regarding protected area management and policies
• Develop evidence-based management plans for Morne Trois Pitons National Park
• Development of a Protected Area System Plan that includes an overall management strategy for PAs in the Commonwealth of Dominica, management effectiveness, governance, participation and distribution of benefits, alignment with other government sector plans and processes. The PA System Plan must reflect the legal status of PAs in the Commonwealth of Dominica (the consultant must liaise with the consultant developing the PA legislation);
• Present the draft system plan to a representative stakeholder body to obtain feedback and buy-in. The stakeholders should include both policy makers, implementing personnel, NGOs, and communities in and around the Morne Trois Pitons National Park (MTNP); and
• Prepare a final Protected Area System Plan including relevant recommendations and comments from the review process.

DELIVERABLES

Expected deliverables and deadlines

Compétences

REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Years of experience:

• At least 8 years work experience in Protected Areas management or natural resources management, especially in SIDS, with ideally at least 5 in the Caribbean
• Previous development and/or implementation of Protected Area management plans
• A two-page methodology on your approach to the consultancy

Competencies:

• An understanding of French or Creole will be an asset.
• Proven ability to provide technical guidance to a wide range of stakeholders to achieve stated project objectives
• Strong data management, reporting and analytical skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Fluency in written and oral English

Qualifications et expériences requises

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in biological sciences, environmental management, natural resource management, ecology, forestry, or related field