| Description |
| Location : |
Tehran, IRAN |
| Application Deadline : |
29-Apr-12 |
| Additional Category |
Environment and Energy |
| Type of Contract : |
Individual Contract |
| Post Level : |
International Consultant |
Languages Required :
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English |
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) |
01-Jun-2012 |
| Duration of Initial Contract : |
Four weeks |
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Background
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The Islamic Republic of Iran covers 164.8 million hectares between latitudes 25° and 40° N. Being dominantly in an arid environmental zone, approximately 85 % of Iran’s agro-ecologies is arid, semi-arid and hyper-arid. Integrated Natural Resources Management (INRM) is a relatively new concept for Iran, where community level understanding on linkages between environment and livelihoods is low. Influenced by short-term financial gains, local communities and business interests are often engaged in exploitative practices with rampant destruction of natural resources. There has been a significant reduction in the area and quality of Iran’s forest resources due to uncontrolled logging, uncontrolled grazing of the undergrowth by livestock, forest fires, and conversion of forest areas into agricultural lands.
The MENARID Institutional Strengthening and Coherence in Integrated Natural Resources Management project contributes to the removal of barriers to climate-resilient integrated natural resources management (INRM) in Iran by providing coordination mechanisms, policies, and inventories of good practice, degradation assessments and community based INRM. The project goal is to promote climate-resilient and gender sensitive integrated management of renewable natural resources, providing global environment benefits for the four GEF focal areas (Land Development, Climate Change, International Waters and Biodiversity Conservation), while maintaining the capacity of ecosystems to deliver the goods and services needed to support local livelihoods.
The current project is comprised of three (3) substantive and complementary components as below:
- Component 1: Improved knowledge and understanding;
- Component 2: An enabling environment;
- Component 3: Community driven approaches.
The project adopts a multi-pronged approach to ensure the sustainability of project interventions, regardless of whether such interventions are taken at national level or at community level. Complementary and coordinated activities to contribute to the realization of these outcomes have been designed to remove barriers as necessary. The project also explores possibilities for developing mechanisms for sustainable financing, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) as innovative mechanisms for allocating funds from the beneficiaries of environmental services to the providers of these services, including carbon sequestration and water provision. The project will strengthen the institutional, legal, policy, financial and technical capacity of the concerned organizations at national and provincial levels.
The project started in September, 2010 for five years duration. It is implemented by Forest, Range and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture (MoJA), Government of Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Under the guidance and supervision of the National Project Manager (NPM), and in coordination with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the International Short Term Expert in NEE will introduce the concept and facilitate development of the locally adopted methodologies of Range Management in Non-Equilibrium Ecosystems in Iran.
The key tasks of the International Expert in NEE are:
- To coordinate with National Project Manager (NPM), UNDP Regional Technical Advisor at Bangkok, Thailand, International Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and UNDP concerned Program Analyst;
- To conduct orientation and training to Technical Committee members and local experts on the locally adopted methodologies of range management in Non-Equilibrium Ecosystems in Iran;
- To conduct field visits to three demonstration sites in Iran to develop locally adopted methodologies of range management in MENARID project.
- To conduct a study on the effectiveness of existing indicators for assessment of INRM, identification of a set of valid INRM indicators including potential of remotely sensed data and development of a proposal for establishment of a national assessment and monitoring system in range management in NEE.
- To orient the technical committee members and local experts on tools and methods for monitoring these indicators.
In conducting the consultancy, the international environmental economist is expected to:
- Work in a team spirit;
- Undertake regular meetings and coordinate his/her work and inputs of the other national consultants;
- Meet with relevant stakeholders, which include Government, UN organizations, non-governmental organizations, local communities, and others as required;
- Participate in workshops organized in the context of the project as required.
Deliverables:
The consultant shall be responsible for the following deliverables:
- An inception report with clear specifications of tasks, methodology and work-plan within one week of commencing the assignment;
- Training and orientation materials as produced;
- Report on the local adopted methodologies for range management in NEE;
- Report on the assessment of the effectiveness of indicators and suggested indicators;
- A mission report highlighting key tasks, achievements and recommendations.
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values;
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the MENARID project;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes knowledge management in the office through leadership and personal example;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Excellent communication skills with ability to communicates sensitively and effectively across different stakeholders;
- Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision;
- Ability to supervise and train support staff;
- Ability to plan and organize work;
- Strong skills in computer and information technology.
Leadership and Self-Management
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Required Skills and Experience:
- PhD in Agriculture, Rangelands Ecology, Forestry or Natural Resources Management related fields;
- Minimum of 5 years experience in development of quality products in participatory natural resources management, sustainable range management in NEE, participatory rural development, social mobilization as well as in participatory monitoring and evaluation;
- Ability to conduct research and analysis with strong synthesis skills;
- Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills;
- Excellent communication skills with fluency in English;
- Prior work/consultancy experience in MENA region will be an advantage.
The application should contain:
- A cover letter highlighting qualifications and experience in the relevant area. The statement should also include a financial proposal: daily fee in USD;
- A current CV, including three references.
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