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Strengthening the sustainability of the protected area system of Montenegro emerged as a major systematic effort to assist in capacity development of institutions and individuals mandated with protected, conservation and management of protected areas. The main objectives of this project are to expand and rationalize the protected area system in order to ensure better habitat representation and more secure conservation status as well as to strengthen the capacity of protected area institutions to more effectively manage a representative system of protected areas.
Under the project “Catalyzing financial sustainability of protected areas in Montenegro’’ UNDP will assist in capacity development of institutions and individuals mandated with protection, conservation and management of protected areas. This project will improve the financial sustainability of PA system in MNE through enabling legal and policy environment for improvement of financial sustainability, securing revenue streams for PA, and development of institutional and individual capacities of PA institutions to raise PA management cost-effectiveness, while the project Sustainability of the Protected Area System of Montenegro will strengthen capacities of the protected area institutions to design, plan and manage a more representative system of PA through expanding and rationalizing PA system to ensure better habitat representation and more secure conservation status, and through strengthening capacities of PA institutions to effectively manage a more representative PA system. The goal of the projects is to have an ecologically representative scientifically-based Protected Area System (PAS), that adequately conserves representative samples of the country’s marine, freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity.
Although government support for conservation within and outside protected areas exists, there is increasing pressure to find innovative and sustainable solutions for promoting and financing conservation. Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are a mechanism that could play a key role in achieving conservation goals and sustaining ecosystem health more generally. A PES system involves voluntary payments for well-defined ecosystem services (or land uses that are likely to secure those services) that are conditional on service delivery. The international literature on PES shows that most examples that are actually working are either for carbon or water. While carbon is a viable option, this project concentrates on the role of water in improving biodiversity conservation through PES. Project will examine possible ways that the Montenegro situation may develop into a model which could be valuable in countries in the region generally.
More precisely two pilot areas in Montenegro have been selected: the Skadar Lake National park and Durmitor National Park. These activities are designed to test the feasibility of capturing a revenue stream for an ecosystem service - clean water - provided by the parks to a very specific group of beneficiaries. Establishing this fiduciary relationship also has the potential to enhance the perceived value of the parks with local residents and businesses, and may encourage a more responsible relationship between the park and its neighbouring communities.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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In cooperation and consultation with the Project Manager for Protected Areas System, the selected consultant will be responsible for the following:
- Reviewing the situation in relation to current arrangements in regard to water services derived from the Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks.
- Reviewing other equivalent regional (South Eastern Europe) and national best practices in water based PES schemes;
Determining the actual annual incomes currently derived from the Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks water services provided;
- Defining alternative payment mechanisms for watershed protection in the Skadar Lake National park and Durmitor National Park based on international and/or regional best practices;
- Undertaking a cost-benefit analysis for the identified PES mechanisms;
- Developing the administrative procedures for the collection and disbursement of income from a watershed protection surcharge in Skadar Lake National park and Durmitor National Park;
- Providing the technical inputs into the preparation of the requisite by-laws;
- Advertising the effective date, and administrative arrangements, for the implementation of the watershed protection surcharge;
- Supporting the process of formalization of proposed PES schemes with relevant institutions (this activity will focus on preparation material and events to present a strong case supporting implementation of proposed measures). These activities will be supported by the Public consultation specialist.
- Reviewing the efficacy of the implementation arrangements and documenting the lessons learned.
Deliverables and timelines:
- Review the situation in relation to current arrangements in regard to water services derived from Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks, This part of assignment would ideally rely on direct communication with local stakeholders.
Expected field work - 4 days (2 x national park) - Beginning of July 2011
- Review other equivalent Regional (South Eastern Europe) and National best practices in water based PES schemes - End-July 2011
- Determ the actual annual incomes currently derived from Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks water services provided - Beginning of August 2011
- Define alternative payment mechanisms for watershed protection in Skadar Lake National park and Durmitor National Park based on international and/or regional best practices - End-August 2011
- Undertake a cost-benefit analysis for the identified PES mechanisms;
- Develop the administrative procedures for the collection and disbursement of income from a watershed protection surcharge in Skadar Lake National park and Durmitor National Park; This part of assignment would ideally rely on direct communication with local stakeholders.
- Expected field work - 4 days (2 x national park) - Beginning of September 2011
- Provide the technical inputs into the preparation of the requisite by-laws; Advertising the effective date, and administrative arrangements, for the implementation of the watershed protection surcharge - End of October 2011
- Review the efficacy of the implementation arrangements and documenting the lessons learnt up to this moment - End of November 2011.
- Review the efficacy of the implementation arrangements and documenting the lessons learnt and making recommendations for possible improvements. This part of assignment would ideally rely on direct communication with local stakeholders.
- Expected field work - 2 days - 2 evalution days in June 2012.
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Competencies
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- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
- Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution.
- Ability to analyze and generalize.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Excellent communications and writing skills in domain.
- Excellent PC skills, ability to use Internet.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- University Degree in institutional development, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, forestry, proven experience in area of water management and financing, or other relevant fields.
- Advanced Degree in the relevant field would be an advantage.
Proven relevant experience in development and implementation of similar projects; relevant experience on projects financed by international organizations would be an asset.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in water management and financing, forestry, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection.
Language:
- Fluency in English
- Knowledge of local language will be considered as an asset.
Applications process:
Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications to UNDP Office in Podgorica by e-mail to consultancy.me@undp.org by June 15, 2011.
The application should contain:
2. Cover/Motivation Letter
The short-listed candidates only will be requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Duties and Responsibilities".
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