UNDP Jobs - 47099- Consultant on Vulnerability Assessment of Mountain

Consultant on Vulnerability Assessment of Mountain Ecosystems

Location :

Yerevan, ARMENIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

19-Jun-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 workdays within 2 months period

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 workdays within 2 months period

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The project's objective is to demonstrate a sustainable natural resource management model in degraded mountainous pastures and forests of Armenia which increases ecosystems’ capacity to sequester carbon under pending climate warning risks, while at the same time retain biodiversity and economic values.

Two specific objectives are designed: i) to improve institutional and individual capacity for sustaining biodiversity in mountain rangeland and forest ecosystems and increasing rural communities livelihood level in face of climate change; ii) support in development and implementation of activities for increasing the resilience of ecosystems and local communities to future climate change through introduction of sustainable pasture and forest management practices in the selected region.

The project will pilot an innovative pasture management system, including rehabilitation of 2,000 ha of pastures and 60 ha of a forest belt in Vardenis sub-region of Gegharkunik region. The project will help avert further deterioration of natural resources (biodiversity, land, water, forest), promote better understanding of problems related to climate change impact and its socio-economic dimensions such as rural production and food security.

In addition this project will contribute to achieving several global environmental benefits, namely it will have an impact on protection of habitats of global conservation importance, such as low and middle mountain steppe, high mountain subalpine vegetation for numerous endangered and endemic species.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Programme Policy Adviser in Environmental Governance Portfolio and direct supervision of the Project Technical Task Leader the incumbent will consult the project team regarding the vulnerability assessment of mountain ecosystems with specific consideration of climate change risks.

The incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Undertake the initial research and accurate analysis of existing approaches related to mountain ecosystem vulnerability assessment to ensure proper advice for the project implementation with specific focus on the project’s first component on stocktaking and vulnerability assessment of project target area.
Define the approach/methodology best applicable for the country based on the desk review of existing approaches/methodologies for vulnerability assessment of mountain ecosystems, particularly considering current climate conditions and natural hazards, future climate change risks and expected/potential impacts;
Develop detailed scope of work (including required input and outputs) for conducting vulnerability assessment of mountain rangeland and forest ecosystems to support in reaching the project objective;
Provide substantial input in development of respective terms of reference for conducting vulnerability assessment of selected sites in mountain rangeland and forest in Vardenis sub-region of Gegharkunik Marz in Armenia;
Develop detailed guideline for conducting vulnerability assessment of mountain rangeland and forest ecosystems in Vardenis sub-region of Gegharkunik Marz in Armenia considering climate change risks and taking into account that the assessment results will serve as a basis for future development of pasture and forest rehabilitation pilots;
Guide the project team including the recruited experts and sub-contractors in the process of conducting vulnerability assessment of selected pilot sites in mountain rangeland and forest; review and provide professional comments to the periodic and final reports developed in the scope of the vulnerability assessment;
Assist the project team in development of the final analytical reports related to the task implementation.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relation-ships with people of different social and cultural backgrounds;
High sense of responsibility;
Proven ability to work under time pressure and handle multiple activities and tasks concurrently;
Proven knowledge of communication tools, excellent writing skills, track record with producing high quality research/analytical reports and papers;
Ability to express ideas clearly in both verbally and in writing;
Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team based information sharing.
Good knowledge of international and national climate change agenda, ecosystem based mitigation/adaptation concepts and their detailed requirements in terms of practical assessment and implementation of measures; understanding of and practical exposure to the institutional framework governing climate change mitigation, land degradation and sustainable biodiversity related issues in the countries with economies in transition; experience in South Caucasus countries is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, environmental and natural re-source management or other relevant discipline;
A relevant university degree in combination with qualifying experience in the subject area may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

At least 5 seven years of proven experience in conduction vulnerability assessment of ecosystems and proven experience in involvement in conducting stocktaking and vulnerability assessments in mountain ecosystems;
Proven practical experience in information gathering and research methodology; experience in coaching/mentoring/assisting team of consultants, and application of different approaches in vulnerability assessments in relevant mountain ecosystems;

Language Skills:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Armenian or Russian is an asset.