Consultancy Services for the Interim Project Specialist for the Ridge to Reef Project in Niue

The project will enhance Niue’s capacity to effectively create and manage protected areas for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and safeguarding of ecosystem services.  It focuses on the expansion of its protected estate on land and on its marine areas through a combination of community conservation areas and government-led protected areas.  In Community Conservation Areas, both strict protection and sustainable use zones will be identified and planned carefully, using innovative protection tools recognizing that tenure over most land areas is vested in local communities.  This project has been designed to engineer a paradigm shift in the management of terrestrial, coastal and marine protected sites from a site-centric approach to a holistic “ridge to reef” comprehensive approach.  Through this approach, activities in the immediate production landscapes adjacent to marine and terrestrial protected areas will be managed to reduce threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services stemming from key production activities (e.g. tourism and agriculture).  Additionally, the project also introduces the concept of connectivity between landscape and seascape in Niue.  Terrestrial protected areas will include a landscape that links strictly protected community areas (tapu) to each other to enhance their integrity and to form a functional ecological corridor between them.  Similarly, the creation of a Marine Protected Area at Beveridge Reef also satisfies the integrated and holistic approach promoted by the project by recognizing the link that is thought to exist between the Reef and mainland Niue through which the former serves as a source of recruitment for clams and other marine species that make up Niue’s coral reefs.

Please download the Terms of Rerefence from this website : http://procurement-notices.undp.org.

The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources - Director General (MNR – DG) and UNDP:

• Review and update terms of reference for key project personnel and facilitate recruitment of Project Manager in coordination with MNR;
• Develop Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors that will be necessary for the implementation of the project, and assist in the selection and recruitment process;
• Review and update the Multi Year Work Plan; the Annual Work Plan (AWPs) as well as formalizing the activities for the first year as stipulated in the project document;
• Develop thorough Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and monitoring tools for the project and monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including AWPs, indicators and targets);
• Develop a procurement plan for the project;
• Update risk and issue log;
• Review and update the project Management Arrangements and Project Results Framework, as required and in line with corporate requirements;
• Assist MNR/Project Manager in the preparation and implementation of the Inception Phase workshop and provide backstopping technical advice and guidance where necessary. Coordinate preparation of the final inception report.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to the Gov. of Niue mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to administrative supports, including project data management support, reporting, and logistics for project implementation;
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment.

Education:

• Postgraduate degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences related field is a requirement.

Experience:

• More than ten years of professional experience (or twelve years of experience plus first level university degree in lieu of the above required master’s degree) in management of environment related projects, with a good understanding of integrating gender and similar cross-cutting priorities.;
• In-depth and proven knowledge as well as experience in the area implementation of development initiatives, policies and programmes relating to natural resource management, including impacts on environment related to human development and poverty reduction;
• Demonstrated experience in project development. Implementation and management;
• Proven experience in consulting at a senior level in related field;
• Proven practical experience of Results Based Management (RBM), with sound knowledge on LogFrame and Project Cycle Management (PCM);
• Strong skills in M&E;
• Excellent working knowledge of English and track record of producing communications and reports in English;
• Experience on programmes funded and implemented by various development agencies;
• Experience working with communities, government and NGOs;
• Experience working in Niue;
• Excellent computer skills (key MS applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Language:

• Fluent in English.

Note:

Please visit the procurement website to download copy of the TOR and relevant templates to assist with your proposal: http://procurement-notices.undp.org.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document or send all documents to procurement.ws@undp.org.