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Title

International Consultant: Technical Adviser
Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Georgia - Europe
Town/City Tbilisi, GEORGIA
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 11/05/2010
Company Name United Nations Development Program
Contact Name Human Resources
Website Further Details / Applications
United Nations Development Program logo
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
In the aftermath of the conflict in Georgia in August 2008, several forest ecosystems (approximately 1,200 hectares) in the around the Borjomi-Karaguali National Park as well as in Ateni Gorge were severely damages by uncontrolled forest fires.
The immediate damages of the fires on forest resources were assessed through the UN and the World Bank Joint Needs Assessment (JNA). The assessment has been conducted based on the request of the Government of Georgia with a purpose to prepare financial proposals for the October 2008 Donors Conference on Georgia. According to the JNA, the fire damage on the affected sites varied considerably. It ranged from severely damaged sites with completely burned tree stands, to sites where trees were partially damaged.
 
JNA environmental impact assessments have been verified and studied in more detail by a team of international experts under the joint OSCE/UNEP assessment sponsored by the ENVSEC Initiative, following the request of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia (MoE)
 
In 2009 MoE prepared a project idea for restoration of damaged forest ecosystems in the Borjomi region on the basis of the recommendations by the JNA and OSCE/UNEP assessment. The project concept was submitted to the ENVSEC Board for approval in June 2009.The Government of Finland was ready to finance the project as a part of the Finnish pledge for the support of the Georgian post conflict recovery and reconstruction. Finland?s support was earmarked for the environmental sector.
 
UNDP Country Office in Georgia developed a project document “Restoration of Forest Ecosystems Damaged in Armed Conflict in Georgia” in October 2009. It has been accepted by the Government of Finland in December 2009.
The Project will focus initially on the rehabilitation of forest cover and functions in a pilot project (Daba) area of about 400 Ha within some 1,000 ha of recently burned forest at Borjomi (Daba and Tsagveri) that to some extent will ameliorate the threat to the villages from floods landslides and mud slips. The silt load of the rivers will be reduced for downstream users. A base line ecological study and monitoring of the recovery process will be undertaken, training and capacity building accompanies this. Stakeholders emphasized the scale of the problem, the extent of the area damaged and the need for continuity of post project management and sustainability. From the lessons learned the techniques tried and proven on site should be replicated elsewhere to counteract land degradation. Landslides and mudflows may pose threats to human and environment security in the region, especially in its most vulnerable areas again the threat is under active consideration by several competent organizations. Gabions and bioengineering are proposed to protect part of Daba village as well as being a focus for livelihood improvement. 
 
Secondary objectives are to:
  • Train local implementers in land rehabilitation techniques including tree nursery, reforestation and erosion control;
  • Strengthen the capacity of national and sub national stakeholders in prevention and amelioration of land degradation;
  • Raise public awareness on causes and implications of land degradation and livelihood self development;
  • Recommendations for replication of rehabilitation techniques in the Region.
 The overall objective of the assignment is to develop the capacity of the local staff of the Project and associated organizations involved in the forest restoration project at Borjomi i.e. the “Restoration of Forest Ecosystems damaged in armed conflict in Georgia, August 2008”.
The practical thrust will be site orientated to ensure that the forest operations are monitored, measured, improved and of an optimum quality especially with the artificial regeneration of the forest cover, protection of the same and that all is adequately recorded. The transfer of forestry practice/ knowledge to project field staff and those of the Forest Department shall be essential throughout the assignment. His mission reports shall be used to assure the Quality of the Project Reforestation efforts. Where capacity short comings are apparent he shall bring these to the notice of the Project Manager and hence to the Project Assurance Board and shall offer corrective measures to this end.

 

Duties and Responsibilities
An international consultant will work under the general guidance and supervision of UNDP CO in Georgia through the Project Manager in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.   His /her primary duties and responsibilities will include:
  • Familiarization with the history and documentation of the project and the damaged ecosystems;
  • Carrying out of field monitoring missions twice a year (Total 6 visits) during the project period and reporting to the Project Manager and ultimately to the Project Board following each mission;
  • Development of field monitoring manual and recording forms and report formats as appropriate for the field operations that are compatible with those of the Forest Department and their GIS System;
  • Development of training programme and training of the project and field staff of the Forestry Department on the basics of field monitoring and the results to be achieved and, maintaining of a system of continuous improvement and development of their capacity throughout his assignment (Q3 2010);
  • Advise on the establishment and management of the project nursery, including sustainability and business model of the nursery;
  • Advise on ecosystem restoration, including advise on reforestation of some 70 hectares and bioengineering works;
  • Advise on improvements to the project field management arrangements;
  • Monitoring and Identification of new project risks and advise on project risk management strategy;
  • Advise to the project on UNDP project exist strategy
  • Advise to the project on a strategy for resource mobilization from donors and private industries and, support to its implementation.
 Major Deliverables:
  • Brief work plan for the assignment;
  • Training Programme;
  • Manual on the monitoring methodology and recording forms and report formats;
  • Project risk management strategy;
  • Project resource mobilization strategy and plan for its implementation;
  • Project exist strategy;
  • Mission reports with observations and recommendation for improvement

Payment Modality:

The payment to the consultant will be made as a lump sum based on following deliverables and installments:

First installment: 20% of total total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia a work plan, training programme, manual on the monitoring methodology and recording forms and report formats and the first mission report;
Second installment: 15% of total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia second mission report with project resource mobilization strategy and its implementation plan;
Third installment: 15% of total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia third mission report;
Fourth installment:  15% of total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia of the fourth mission report with revised project risk management strategy;
Fifth installment: 15% of total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia of the fifth mission report with revised project exit strategy;
Sixth installment:  20% of total contract value upon submission to and acceptance by UNDP Georgia final mission report
 
Evaluation Criteria:
 
 
Candidate will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70% and for financial criteria – to 30%. Only the candidates who will obtain 70% out of maximum obtainable scores of the technical criteria will be considered as qualified. Qualified candidates will be requested to submit financial proposals.
 
More specifically, following evaluation scores will be used for evaluating the proposals:
  • Minimum qualification requirement*: Master’s or equivalent degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management or other related area – 10 points;
  • Minimum qualification requirement*; 7 years of experience in implementing, monitoring, designing or providing technical advisory services to forestry projects that include, but not limited to forest restoration, erosion control and wildlife management, wild fire management – 15 points:
  • Minimum qualification requirement*: Experience in knowledge transfer and constant improvement in implementing capacity development activities for public institutions, NGOs, local communities in forest restoration, sustainable land management, and wild fire management – 10 points;
  • Minimum qualification requirement*Experience on forest restoration similar to Georgia conditions – 10 points;
  • Knowledge of the CIS region and particularly the Georgian context is an asset – 5 points;
  • Experience in disaster risk reduction methodologies, in particular bioengineering solutions –5 points;
  • Work experience in/for UN or other international organizations – 5 points;
  • Minimum qualification requirement*: English knowledge – 5 points;
  • Minimum qualification requirement*: computer literacy – 5points;
  • Proposed Price – 30 points.
* Candidates not meeting any of minimum qualification requirements will be automatically disqualified from the list of eligible candidates
 
Interested experts are requested to upload their applications to UNDP corporate web-site at http://jobs.undp.org/ and send maximum 1-page cover letter, CV, filled in P11 form (P11 form is available at www.undp.org.ge), and 1-2-page technical writing sample on forestry or disaster reduction methodology to UNDP Georgia through the following e-mail: vacancy.ge@undp.org by 18:00 p.m. (local time),  11 May 2010.

 

Competencies
  • Proven ability to work in a complex environment with different stakeholders within a specific field/political context;
  • Ability to interact with and relate to people at any level;
  • A pro-active approach to problem-solving.

 

Required Skills and Experience
  • Master’s or higher degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management or other related area;
  • 7 years of experience in implementing, monitoring, designing or providing technical advisory services to forestry projects that include, but not limited to forest restoration, erosion control and wildlife management, wild fire management;
  • Experience in knowledge transfer and constant improvement in implementing capacity development activities for public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local communities in forest restoration, sustainable land management, and wild fire management.
  • Experience in forest restoration similar to Georgia conditions;
  • Experience in disaster risk reduction methodologies, in particular bioengineering solutions is an asset;
  • Knowledge of the CIS region and particularly the Georgian context is an asset;
  • Work experience in/for UN or other international organizations is an asset;
  • Excellent spoken and written English skills;
  • Full e-literacy.
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