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Title

Chief Technical Advisor - Ridge to Reef

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Barbados - America South
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 31/08/2017
Company Name UNDP
Contact Name Human Resources
Website Further Details / Applications
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Directory Entry : UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. For environmental jobs with UNDP visit their website. Or for more environmental jobs search environmentjobs.com
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Description

The landscapes of Grenada, once heavily covered with forested species especially in upper altitudes are now being increasingly threatened by encroaching agriculture, housing and other urban developments. Special features of the Grenada landscapes and seascapes include: low lying landscapes, small outer islands and an island shelf to the north and south of mainland Grenada. These outer islands are considerably less mountainous than the central part of the main island and notable for their white sand beaches generated by coral reef derivatives. They are also noted for being relatively dry when compared with the mountainous areas of the main island; the local area biodiversity distinctly reflects the wetter or drier environments.

 

The three coastal habitats that are important for maintaining Grenada’s nearshore fishery are the mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Mangrove ecosystems provide substrate for marine organisms, feeding and breeding, foraging, and refuge areas for many commercial species and act as nurseries for their offspring. A very good example of mangrove vegetation exists at Levera Pond, St. Patrick and at Harvey Vale Carriacou. Other areas include Conference/ Pearls area and the bays between St. David and Prickly Bay on the south coast of the island. The main species of mangrove include red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) and button-wood (Conocarpus erectus). Seagrass beds act as a transition point and ecosystem energy bridge between mangrove communities and the reef system and fishing grounds. Marine turtles e.g. Atlantic green turtles, depend on healthy sea grass communities as a source of food. Coral reefs provide excellent shelter for some resident and transient species (to offshore fishing grounds) as well as substrate for algae and other organisms which form part of a rather complex food web.

 

The Ridge to Reef project will provide multiple global and local benefits by strengthening land, forest and reef management processes (ecosystems functions) and biodiversity conservation on all terrestrial landscapes and marine and seascapes in Grenada, especially within and around marine and terrestrial protected areas. This will be achieved through a multi-focal strategy having a “Ridge to Reef” approach that increases protected areas’ management effectiveness and applies targeted land management practices to include:

  • Development of a policy-based legal, planning and institutional /regulatory framework in support of a sustainably managed network of Terrestrial Protected Areas (TPAs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs);
  • Development and management of landscapes and seascapes by adopting the approach of integrating sustainable land management (SLM) and sustainable forest management (SFM)/REDD+ principles and practices as a matter of public policy (integrated approach for managing forest ecosystems, protection and sustainable use of the biodiversity, prevention of land/sea degradation, and integration of people’s livelihood objectives within the management of forest and marine eco-systems.); and

By piloting SFM/REDD+ and SLM practices in the Annandale/Beausejour watershed to improve Carbon stocks, reducing deforestation, reducing susceptibility to drought (and forest fires) and consequent land degradation that would impact downstream landscapes and seascapes.

 


Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will facilitate the mobilisation of inputs, assess project outputs, evaluate consultancies and lend overall support for the project’s successful implementation. The Chief Technical Advisor will also attend in the capacity of observer at meetings of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), which are held three times annually.

Scope of services:

The CTA provides specialised technical and general implementation support to the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) to achieve the outputs objective of the project. The CTA has the following responsibilities:

 

  • Provide overall strategic guidance and technical support in the planning and implementation of the technical components of the project, including advising on the preparation of work plans, evaluation and technical reports;
  • Develop a strategic implementation plan for the project based on the stocktaking of the project achievements thus far as well as ongoing/future third-party initiatives with similar mandates in Grenada;
  • Support the development of strategic technical partnerships for the achievement of project objectives and review of any technical outputs emanating from those partnerships;
  • Coordinate the collection of relevant baseline data for outcome/output level indicators in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and discuss with stakeholders possible mechanisms and capacities needed to ensure ongoing systematic collection;
  • Provide technical expertise to the PCU during the legislative review process to revise the draft PA laws and regulations, including drafting a terms of reference (TOR) for a legislative consultant and assisting in the review of his/her outputs;
  • Assist in reviewing, developing and strengthening the national institutional framework for PA management, including facilitating the establishment of a National Parks Advisory Council for TPAs and drafting a capacity development strategy for this and the National Committee for MPAs, and guidelines for their coordination to ensure a ridge to reef management approach;
  • Assist in to PA system expansion process, including identification of barriers, facilitation of stakeholder consultations, and provision of assistance in PA management planning;
  • Develop a capacity development strategy for the development and implementation of PA management and conservation plans, PA regulations, other PA planning processes and tools, and community-based SLM/SFM approaches;
  • Provide technical support to developing mechanisms for community co-management of the PA system, including facilitating the establishment of an inter-sectoral committee for co-management of the Beausejour watershed and assisting in the elaboration of its TOR/standard operating procedures and work plan;
  • Provide technical support and advice during monitoring and evaluation exercises (e.g. field visits and consultant outputs) to appraise project performance and make recommendations for modification to activities where appropriate to ensure achievement of project outcomes/outputs;
  • Strategically guide the hiring, supervision and evaluation of all project contractors, consultants and PA staff, preparing TORs when required;
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of various training offered through the project; and
  • Assist in the implementation of other technical aspects of the project as needed.

 


Competencies

Skills/Competencies:

  • Proven ability to provide technical oversight to a wide range of stakeholders and multi- disciplinary teams to achieve stated project objectives.
  • Strong data management, reporting and analytical skills.
  • Strong leadership and team-building skills.
  • Self-motivated and ability to work in diverse settings, with diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with project monitoring and assessment techniques.
  • Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise multiple tasks.

Language:

  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English.

 


Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • MSc (PhD preferred) in areas relevant to the project, such as natural resources/environmental management, ecology, forestry, marine biology and biodiversity conservation.

Experience:

  • 15 years of field experience in at least two areas relevant to the project e.g. sustainable land management, sustainable forest management, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, protected areas.
  • At least 5 years of experience in project management.
  • 10 years of experience with terrestrial and/or marine conservation/protected areas management (both preferred).
  • Practical experience in similar assignments, preferably in the context of small island developing states (SIDS), preferably in the Caribbean.
  • Professional experience working with relevant stakeholders in Grenada is considered an asset.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability and technical ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing.
  • Prior UNDP/GEF project experience and knowledge of UNDP and GEF procedures and guidelines are advantageous.

 

 
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.
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