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Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
01-Jul-2008
Duration of Initial Contract :
Four weeks spread over six Month period.
Expected Duration of Assignment :
Four weeks .
The Government of Malawi (GoM) would welcome increased fiscal space, especially from non-revenue sources given the fall in non-tax revenue collection. The carbon market has the potential to provide such income.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Voluntary Market (VM), came about as a result of the Kyoto Protocol. Industrialized countries are encouraged to implement projects that reduce emissions in developing countries in return for Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs). Projects implemented usually focus on land use change through reforestation and afforestation which absorb or capture carbon in a process known as carbon sequestration. The reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) concept has recently gained much support and is being explored by a number of countries as a means of income. It involves generating carbon credits from avoiding the emissions that cutting down the trees would generate.
Duties and Responsibilities
STUDY DETAILS
Objectives:
1) To study the economics of the natural resource management in Malawi by estimating the potential fiscal space that can accrue from the existing national forests and parks. This will be addressed as an empirical assessment of the fiscal attractions that could go with managing such a natural resource.
2) To build capacity both in the Department of Forestry and the institution commissioned to undertake the project. Skills would be gained in mapping tree species in Malawi, and in determining their carbon sequestration potential, amongst others necessary in the modern carbon economy.
3) To provide strategic information that Malawi and other regional stakeholders can use at future environmental summits.
Site: An existing forestry reserve with a history of good management with little or limited human activities will be selected for the study.
Consultants: The study will be undertaken by a team of four international and national consultants to ensure capacity building through skills transfer. The team to consist of a natural resource management expert, an expert in carbon sequestration who has worked on other developing countries and an Economist with both public and private sector experience.
Competencies
Excellent communication, drafting and writing skills in English, and familiarity with computers and relevant computer software
Familiarity with and participation in international negotiations and processes under the various international environment treaties or on trade and economic development.
Good understanding of Malawi’s environment, economic and development issues
Required Skills and Experience
The incumbents shall have the following qualifications and experiences:
At least master’s degree in environment/natural resources management or related climate change fields, or in economics or other related disciplines
At least four years experience relevant to the project, including relevant climate change, payment for ecosystems, global warming issues, global trade and its impact on developing countries
Substantial involvement in the climate change related activities or in developmental
