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CONSULTANT: LAND USE SURVEY AND LAND USE DATABASE AND INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT IN TIMOR-LESTE
Location :
Dili, Timor Leste
Application Deadline :
28-Jan-09
Additional Category
Environment and Energy
Type of Contract :
SSA
Post Level :
SSA
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
03-Mar-2009
Duration of Initial Contract :
Three weeks
Expected Duration of Assignment :
Three Months
Background
In partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) with funding from the Global Environment Facility, UNDP is implementing the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Project. The project aims to enhance the enabling environment and capacities for arresting land degradation and establishing sustainable land management practices so as to contribute to enhancing ecosystem health, integrity, functions and services while promoting sustainable livelihoods in Timor-Leste. The project will focus on mainstreaming, institutional and technical capacity building as well as establishing sustainable financial mechanisms and resource mobilization for sustainable land management. In this connection, UNDP is looking for an International Consultant to take up the following duties and responsibilities.
Carry out an interpretation and classification of the satellite images to determine and generate land use categories together with slope and other topographic information that is important for land use and land degradation survey;
Generate land use and land degradation maps;
Provide hands on guidance to national consultant, project staff and key government counterparts in designing the land use and land degradation survey;
Train the national consultant, project staff and key government counterparts on how to conduct good survey on land use and land degradation;
Review the existing land use information system to identify gaps and needs to upgrade the system;
Create new land use database and information system which include among others land use category, biophysical information of each of the category and list of all types of land degradation associated with each of the category;
Develop local capacity particularly the capacity of ALGIS officials to regularly update the land use information for continued land degradation monitoring and evaluation;
Review existing interagency protocol through which SLM related information can be shared among different agencies;
Launch the system to facilitate and promote sustainable land management;
Submit a report on the completion of assignments to UNDP.
Outputs:
The outputs should be: (1) Land use and land degradation survey is designed (2) Land use and land degradation maps are produced; (3) a computerized database and land use information system is set up and running for public access; and (4) a report is submitted to UNDP on the activities carried out.
[1] Agriculture Land Use Geographical Information System
Competencies
Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills;
Strong negotiating and managerial skills to be able to work both independently and as a member of a team;
Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
Cross-cultural management experience and sensitivity;
High level planning, organisational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines
Well developed interpersonal skills , including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels
Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and policy advice desirable
Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and in a team environment
Required Skills and Experience
Advanced university degree in cartography, soil sciences, agronomy, geography or related fields;
Outstanding experience in working with GIS and CAD software with in-depth knowledge of ArcVIEW and ArcGIS software applications in land use and land degradation mappings;
More than 5 years experience in developing the capacity of national agencies in land use and land degradation survey, mapping and inventory;
Familiarity with LDC and SIDS working environments is desirable; experience working in Timor-Leste is preferred;
Good knowledge of global and national environment and development issues in Timor-Leste;
Ability to organize, analyze and synthesize different types of information in a systematic manner;
Proficiency in English is required, (fluency in Portuguese, Tetum or Indonesian language would be an advantage).
