Programme Management Start Up Advisor

Cambodia has one of the highest levels of forest cover in Southeast Asia and according to FAO 2005, Forest Resources Assessment, Cambodia has the 30th largest area of tropical forest in the world. But because of the rapid pace of development in the country, including large-scale agro-industrial development, and a lack of effective implementation of existing laws and policies for forest land and forest resource management, Cambodia has been classified as a “high forest cover, high deforestation” country .

The principle forest management strategies of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) are the new National Forest Programme and REDD+ could form a significant role for effective implementation of these forest management strategies. The RGC rapidly started to implement pilot REDD+ projects and in August 2009, the RGC was granted observer status in the UN REDD programme, and the RGC with support from UNDP Cambodia and FAO Cambodia, has prepared a REDD Readiness planning process, which led to the development of the Cambodia REDD+ Roadmap.

The Cambodia UN REDD National Programme has been specifically designed to support implementation of the Cambodia Readiness Plan Proposal on REDD+ (“Roadmap”), which has been developed by the interim REDD+ Taskforce and stakeholder groups during the period January-September 2010. Following national consultation, the programme has been signed in August 2011. The programme has four outcomes: (1) National REDD+ Readiness Management arrangements and stakeholder consultation; (2) National capacity-building towards development of the REDD+ strategy and implementation framework; and (3) Sub-National REDD+ capacity-building and demonstration; (4) Support to development of the Monitoring system.

UNDP Cambodia as one of the three implementing partners of the Cambodia UN-REDD National Programme works to support RGC with national REDD+ readiness efforts particularly on governance and stakeholder engagement issues while the other partner agencies, FAO and UNEP, work on MRV/reference scenario formulation and co-benefits respectively.

In this regard, UNDP Cambodia requires additional capacity to coordinate among these three agencies and support this joint programme so as to take lead in building the momentum of this initiative during the inception phase in order to make this programme being set up properly and function well so that in the end of this programme, the RGC will be fully ready for REDD+. The programme is seeking a Programme Management Start Up Advisor for a period of 80 working days over the period of 6 months from October 2011 to March 2012.

To provide technical assistance to the National Project Manager (NPM) during the inception phase of the programme and focus on building technical capacity for running the programme in the taskforce secretariat.

• Support the joint programme and coordinate the development of the joint workplan among FAO, UNEP and UNDP as well as between UN agencies and government
• Support to set up National REDD+ task force and work plan of task force, and make sure it functions properly even after the term of  start up advisor was over
• If needed, support the Government to set up the governance body of UN-REDD programme
• Prepare detailed programme implementation plan to meet the annual delivery of key results
• Support the process leading to approval of the two small grants proposals and start up of those projects
• Support the development of the Roadmap for Cambodia REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan
• Update stakeholder analysis and develop and implement good communication and partnership-building
• Identify opportunities to mobilize partnership, and resource and to build synergy
• Provide technical support to organize the inception workshop and make Inception Workshop report.

• Very good understanding of forestry, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and REDD+ initiative
• A proven ability in the area of policy work, programme design, implementation and evaluation
• Proven technical skills relevant to programme management and coordination among stakeholders
• Ability to set priorities successfully in order to meet tight deadlines;
• Commitment toward high quality service;
• Ability to work effectively in a cross cultural environment; and
• Strong analytical skills and ability in both oral and written communication.

Education:   

• Advanced university degree (at least Master or equivalent) from forestry, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management or other related areas

Experience: 

• At least 8 years working experience in the areas of forest management and conservation. Experience in REDD initiative is preferable and working experience in Cambodia is a strong asset.

Language Requirements: 

• English

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please refer to INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (IC) PROCUREMENT NOTICE on UNDP Cambodia Procurement Page at http://www.un.org.kh/undp/procurement-notices/undpjobid25882?app_id=20for detailed term of references, instructions to applicant, and documents to be included when submitting application.

If interested candidate requests additional information, may notify the Procurement Unit in writing to e-mail address: procurement.kh@undp.org. The Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, but any delay in providing such information will not be considered a reason for extending the submission date of your application.