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Mauritius, like most oceanic islands, has high levels of floral and faunal endemicity and has suffered high extinction rates caused by a growing human population, habitat destruction and degradation. In order to safeguard the remaining biodiversity, the Government of Mauritius and other stakeholders have initiated various measures. Under current conditions, the terrestrial protected area network (PAN) is however not effectively safeguarding the country’s unique terrestrial biodiversity. This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) seeks to strengthen the systemic, institutional and operational capacity to: (i) identify, prioritize and target gaps in representation that can be filled through protected area expansion, and complementary conservation, efforts on private and state-owned land; (ii) develop regulatory drivers and an incentives framework to support PA expansion, and complementary conservation, efforts on private and state-owned land; (iii) establish and administer a conservation stewardship program to implement PA expansion initiatives on privately owned or managed land; (iv) effectively plan, resource and manage an expanded PAN comprising both private and state protected areas; (v) cost-effectively mitigate the threats to, and pressures on, the unique biodiversity contained within the expanded PAN (notably the spread of invasive alien species); (vi) ensure better integration of the PAN into the country’s socio-economic development priorities, in particular development of the tourism industry, to ensure its long-term financial sustainability; and (vi) respond effectively to the needs of, and meaningfully involve, different stakeholder groups in the ongoing planning and operational management of the expanded PAN.
Organisational Context:
The overall objective of the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Manager is to facilitate the IAS control and ecosystem rehabilitation work across the various sites. The IAS Manager will: (i) identify the exact location of each rehabilitation site; (ii) develop an adaptive work program (using a system of ‘continual improvement’) for each site to ensure that the objectives of this output are achieved; (iii) monitor and review the implementation of the work plans; (iv) closely collaborate with the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), Forestry Service (FS) and private landowner/s in the development, implementation and review of the work plans; (v) collate and maintain information on lessons learnt and reports produced; (vi) provide technical support for a conservation stewardship programme; and (vii) report on progress.
The IAS control and ecosystem rehabilitation will be directly implemented by the NPCS, FS and the affected landowner/s (for the site located on private landholding/s). The NPCS and private landowner/s may in turn sub-contract service providers, volunteers, NGOs or other institutions to implement different aspects of the work.
The IAS Manager, along with the Project Manager and Project Assistant will be full time member of the PAN Project Management Unit (PMU) and will be based in the PMU Office in Curepipe hosted by the Forestry service.
The IAS Manager will report to the UNDP-CO, National Project Director (Director - NPCS) and Project Manager, in close consultation with the host institution for all of the project’s substantive and administrative issues. The IAS Manager will also be called upon to report on a periodic basis to the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
The IAS Manager will be technically supported by the Project Manager, Project Assistant, Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the IAS Coordinator who will act as a focal point at the level of the NPCS for all IAS related activities on the PAN project.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Assist in the identification of the rehabilitation sites where invasive species management will be carried out:
- To liaise with NPCS, FS, private land owners for access to identified sites;
- To undertake site visits to evaluate quality of forest and restoration potential prior to start of restoration works;
- To register GPS coordinates at strategic locations in order to plot the boundaries of selected restoration sites and record same in database to be set up.
Closely collaborate with the Project Management Unit (PMU), NPCS, FS and private landowner/s in the development, implementation and review of the work plans:
- Develop an adaptive work program (using a system of ‘continual improvement’) for each site to ensure that the objectives of this output are achieved;
- Provide technical support for the development and implementation of site management plans;
- Ensures the timely and effective implementation of approved work plans;
- Carry regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites to monitor progress of work;
- Prepare and submit of the Quarterly Progress Reports on IAS activity as per provided template;
- Collate and maintain information on lessons learnt and report on progress.
Collate and maintain information on lessons learnt and report on progress:
- Liaise with UNDP, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including donor organizations and NGOs for effective coordination of all IAS related activities;
- Disseminate project reports and other outputs and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
- Report progress on IAS related activities to the Steering Committee and other bodies as necessary, and ensure the fulfilment of Steering Committee directives;
- Coordinate and assist relevant institutions with the initiation and implementation of all field studies and monitoring components of the project;
- Provide technical assistance to PMU and CTA in the exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned with relevant conservation and development projects nationally and internationally;
- Provide technical assistance to PMU and CTA in the development of information and awareness material on IAS component.
Train local contractors on current good practice IAS management techniques, provide technical oversight on all IAS sites and provide technical assistance to private land owners as required:
- Assist NPCS to train local contractors on good IAS management techniques as a basis for management in rehabilitation sites;
- Assist NPCS to train local contractors and private landowners to identify endemic/ threatened flora and fauna on restoration sites;
- Follow up with trained trained contractors/ private land owners to ensure appropriate practices are being implemented;
- To register GPS coordinates of identified rare flora and record same on database to be set up;
- To register GPS coordinates at strategic locations in order to plot the boundaries of all areas cleared and record same on database to be set up;
- Supervise and coordinate the work of all sub-contractors after consultation with NPCS;
- Keep records of working hours undertaken by contractors and report to PMU;
- Liaise with Team leaders from IAS contractors;
- Ensuring IAS contractors are abiding to contractual obligations.
Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of restoration works and documentation of same through facilitating effective monitoring, data analysis and regular reporting:
- Test the efficacy and cost-benefits of the use of different herbicides (at different concentrations) on invasive plant species using diverse application techniques;
- Evaluate the efficacy and cost-benefits of mechanical tools and clearing methodologies (tree poppers, eco-plugs, herbicide drip brushes, blanket sprays, high altitude clearing, etc.);
- Refine rehabilitation and restoration techniques and methodologies for different forest types and improve their cost-effectiveness;
- Assess optimal weeding maintenance regimes for different forest types and complement of IAS;
- Evaluate alternative cost-effective techniques for control of invasive fauna;
- Assist NPCS and FS to assess the cost-benefit of natural rehabilitation vs. active ecosystem restoration (e.g. replanting of native species).
Provide technical support to PMU, NPCS and FS in the operationalisation of the Conservation Stewardship Programme:
- Assist PMU to pilot the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme that will focus on the voluntary negotiation of a biodiversity stewardship agreement between an individual land owner/lessee and the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security;
- Undertake site visits as required to facilitate the voluntary proclamation of privately owned, or managed, land as a protected area.
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Knowledge Management and Learning;
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
- In-depth knowledge on sustainable development issues and the mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation;
- 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:
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development programmes and projects, and mobilize resources;
- Strong IT skills;
- Ability to lead implementation of new systems and processes, and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.
Management and Leadership:
- Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Leads teams proactively and effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
- Builds strong relationships with all stakeholders;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex situations.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- A Bachelor degree in Biology, Agriculture, Environmental/ Natural Sciences, Natural Resources Management or other relevant equivalent qualifications;
- A Master’s degree or higher qualification in the above fields will be a definite advantage.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in natural resource management (preferably in the management of invasive species or field research on native flora and fauna);
- Good knowledge of Mauritius forest biodiversity including ability to identify native/ alien species and proven fieldwork experience;
- Good knowledge of laws regulating land ownership and biodiversity conservation.
- Proven ability to work with a range of stakeholders including Government agencies and the private sector;
- Ability to train and coordinate teams in the field;
- Good verbal and written communication skills;
- Strong computer skills - familiarity with word processing and spreadsheets, strong competence in data analysis programmes, GPS use and mapping tools;
- Experience in design and implementation of activity and results monitoring procedures as applied to a conservation context;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Valid driving license.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and French (written & spoken).
Nationality:
- Qualified Mauritian only.
Mode of Application:
- Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through UNDP jobs website: http://jobs.undp.org or www.mu.undp.org (under Operations);
- Please ensure that you upload the Personal History Form – P11 (available at www.mu.undp.org under Operations/Jobs) and your CV as one attachment in the relevant field of the on-line application;
- You are required to provide the exact titles of your degrees/qualifications (as per certificates) in the Personal History Form and CV.
- Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration;
- Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted;
- Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Attention to all applicants:
- As part of the application submission process, candidates must submit and upload the Personal History Form – P11 (available at www.mu.undp.org) and a CV as one attachment in the relevant field of the on-line application.
UNDP reserves the right not to make any appointment following this advertisement.
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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.
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