Chief Technical Specialist (Natural Resources)

The position falls under the Department of Environment and Conservation Capacity Strengthening intervention. The Annual Work Plans will be implemented by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). DEC is the national government agency responsible for Papua New Guinea’s environment and environmental legislations. DEC is required to coordinate with other national level departments and authorities that have specific sectoral responsibilities, including the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Department of Lands and Physical Planning, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Works, Department of Mining, Department of Petroleum and Energy, PNG Forest Authority and the National Fisheries Authority to implement the MDG7 initiative and move PNG towards achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth.
 
The incumbent will be part of the UNDP PNG and DEC Capacity Strengthening team. The incumbent must be of the understanding that PNG is a nation that depends strongly on a healthy and functional environment in the following ways: a) the “engines of growth” are based in natural resources – agriculture, forestry, fisheries, nature-based ecotourism, petroleum and mining; b) the economic growth strategy is to increase production in these areas, as outlined in PNG’s Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS); and c) the majority population depends directly on the goods and services of the natural environment for daily subsistence and livelihood. With that understanding, the incumbent is expected to work closely with the MDG7 Task Force in developing the operational strategies for achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth in PNG.
 
The Natural Resource Economist will be situated within DEC’s Sustainable Environments Program area to provide advice and support to the Secretary of DEC to help coordinate and move forward DEC’s policy mandate on promoting environmentally sustainable economic growth. The incumbent’s role will be to analyze the economic and environmental dimensions for the sustainable exploitation/use of natural resources and to assist with strengthening the policy development and program design and implementation capacity within DEC that is consistent with the environmentally sustainable economic growth agenda.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and supervision of the Secretary, DEC, the incumbent will be expected to contribute to the strengthened capacity within DEC to manage programs and policies on environmentally sustainable economic growth. Together with DEC staff, the MDG7 Task Force and other stakeholders, the incumbent will develop the MDG7 work programme to integrate environmentally sustainable economic growth and operational strategies into national development strategies such as the MTDS reviews.
 
Summary of key functions:
 
The main duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will be to assist with capacity development of DEC in the design of priority environmentally sustainable economic growth programs and policies.

• Develop a cost-benefit analysis model to assess the costs and benefits associated with mainstreaming environmental sustainability into natural resource sectors, particularly agriculture and forestry  
• Develop a set of measurable indicators of qualitative and quantitative economic value of natural resource use, and the potential for additional revenue generation through Payments for Ecosystem Services mechanisms.
• Assess the costs associated with conservation or restoration of ecosystems and analyze the potential of reducing such costs through removal of adverse economic incentives.
• Provide a better understanding of how policy, institutional and technological interventions can improve the capacity of ecosystems to meet human needs and economic growth of the country without degrading the environment.
• Document cost-benefit analysis and use it for policy development and program design of DEC’s environmentally sustainable economic growth agenda. 
• Assist with review and update the MDG7 indicators as part of the MTDS review and reviews of other sectoral strategies (e.g. electricity, public private partnerships, etc.
• Provide advice to DEC, MDG7 Task Force and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring on appropriate indicators linking poverty, economic development and the environment for the MTDS review based on international good practice.
• Provide inputs to the LTDS and key strategies to include environmentally sustainable economic growth, particularly based on the above work. 
• Organize and facilitate socio-economic training for DEC staff and other stakeholders.
• Develop in-house training course on environment economics and ad-hoc capacity development on related issues.
• Provide economic inputs to other areas of policy within DEC
• Provide advice for the creation of a self-financing regulatory environmental protection authority.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism 
• As strong understanding of political sensitivities and ability to work positively with all partners in a politically dynamic environment

Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning

• Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to promote a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to develop innovative approaches to program design, implementation, monitoring evaluation of development programmes and projects.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Proactive and have the ability to discuss openly with all senior government staff
• Results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions
• Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
• Highly developed inter-cultural communication and skills;

• Masters degree or advanced degrees in economics, preferably related to the environment and natural resources management

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience working on environment/resources management related to economics;
• Have a clear understanding of the economic contribution of natural resources to national development and growth;
• Experience in conducting policy analysis and providing policy advice at senior level;
• Knowledge and professional experience in at least one natural resource sector (fisheries, energy, forestry, mining, agriculture);
• Experience in reviewing natural resource industry sectors from an environmental sustainability perspective;
• Sound understanding of the concept of environmental sustainability and its integration into policy and legislation;
• In-depth understanding of environmental sustainability issues, and their practical implications for sustainable development processes;
• Proven record in the writing of research papers, policy analysis and recommendations, reports and publications;
• Previous work experience in the Pacific/South East Asia or developing countries is desirable; and
• Excellent computer skills, including full working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages.

• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and presentation skills.