Natural Resources Management Specialist - Strengthening Socotra’s Policy and Regulatory Framework for Mainstreaming Biodiversity Project (open to Yemeni nationals only)

Given its unique and largely intact flora and fauna with high levels of endemism, Socotra Archipelago was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 2008.  The Socotra Governance and Biodiversity Project (SGBP) aims to ensure that biodiversity management considerations are mainstreamed effectively into the process of decentralizing governance for development on Socotra.  SGBP supports local governance specifically by strengthening the newly established Socotra Governorate as well as the Socotra Branch of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), provides suitable biodiversity mainstreaming tools to decision makers, promotes environmental NGOs and strengthens linkages between biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

The overall framework of biodiversity mainstreaming efforts on Socotra is the Conservation Zoning Plan (CZP), which also forms the basis of delineating the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Currently, the CZP provides a zonation of the archipelago into zones of differing levels of protection, but does not contain detailed by-laws or guidelines to the implementation of the plan.  Given the recent incorporation of Socotra Governorate, no central planning of development activities on Socotra exists at present and the CZP is not applied in practice.  SGBP aims to establish the CZP as the fundamental plan guiding development on the archipelago and plans to embed further biodiversity mainstreaming tools into it.

Guided by the National Project Manager in terms of strategic implementation, the Natural Resource Management Specialist will be responsible for the operationalization of the CZP on a day-to-day basis.  He will be responsible to facilitate a participatory process negotiating guidelines and by-laws to the CZP based on stakeholder consultation.  He will coordinate the work of a team of consultants, providing input into the CZP and will support the National Project Manager in approving the consultant’s input.

The Natural Resource Management Specialist will work under direct supervision of the National Project Manager and will be supported in his tasks by the Administrative and Finance Assistant.  He will keep close contact with the National Project Manager and regularly report on work progress.  Additionally he will closely liaise his activities with the Department of Management, Development of Research & Training, as this agency is responsible for planning and biodiversity mainstreaming within Socotra Governorate.  As part of the consultation process on the CZP as well as the preparation of management plans, he will maintain close contact with the involved local communities.

The Natural Resource Management Specialist will:

Lead the operationalization of the Conservation Zoning Plan (CZP):

• Engage local communities & authorities in a participatory process on the CZP;
• Carry out awareness raising among stakeholders on the CZP;
• Coordinate a team of national and international consultants operationalizing the CZP;
• Document the application of biodiversity mainstreaming tools on Socotra/in Yemen;
• Integrate applicable biodiversity mainstreaming tools into the CZP jointly with consultants.

Prepare training materials and deliver technical trainings:

• Application of biodiversity mainstreaming tools and implementation modalities of the CZP;
• Protected Area management by NGOs/CBOs;
• Community-Based Natural Resource Management by NGOs/CBOs.

Prepare environmental management plans based on technical assessment applying a participatory consultation processes:

• Community-based management plans for Protected Areas;
• Community-Based Natural Resource Management plans.

Build  EPA Socotra’s GIS database of spatial biodiversity information;

Extension and communication of technical project contents:

• Organize awareness campaigns on key environmental issues;
• Furnish materials for extension documents/publications produced by the project.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability/disposition to work as part of a team;
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Education:

• Master degree in environmental science or a closely related subject;
• Computer & GIS literacy.

Experience:

• A total of 4 years working experience in the field of environment in Yemen;
• Experience in the formulation and implementation of environmental management plans;
• Experience  in biodiversity conservation;
• Experience in grassroots work with communities;
• Relevant work experience on Socotra considered as a strong asset.

Language:

• Good oral and written communication and facilitation skills in Arabic and English.