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Title	Protected Areas and Alternative Livelihoods Specialist
Posted	5520 Day/s Ago.

Reference	(Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors	Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location	Niger - Africa
Town/City	Niamey, with some travel to the field, NIGER
Type	Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status	Full Time
Level	Senior Level
Deadline	20/04/2009
Company Name	United Nations Development Program
Contact Name	Human Resources
Website	Further Details / Applications

Directory Entry :	UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. For environmental jobs with UNDP visit their website. Or for more environmental jobs search environmentjobs.com
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Description

TOR in connection with the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) for the UNDP/GEF Project “Integrating the Sustainable Management of Faunal Corridors into Niger’s Protected Area System The GEF has approved a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) for Niger in order to produce a UNDP Project Document (PRODOC) and a GEF CEO Endorsement Request (both using the appropriate templates) for the above mentioned project. Its Project Information Form (PIF) summarises the project concept and was produced in close collaboration with key government officials, donors, NGOs, CBOs and the private sector, under the guidance of UNDP-GEF. The PIF was approved by the GEF Council in November 2008 but received critical comments from France and the STAP that need to be addressed during project preparation. The project, budgeted for $2,000,000 in GEF funding and $5,265,000 million in co-financing to be mobilized, will conserve globally important biodiversity in Niger by creating and consolidating terrestrial PAs in the Saharan biome, adjacent new PAs (Tadress and Termit Massif Reserves) and an adjoining faunal corridor. This process will significantly contribute to the expansion and strengthening of the national PA system. This will be achieved through the following three components: Governance framework for PA expansion in Niger’s Saharan biome: Ensuring the operationality of new core PAs on the ground. Establishing the Northern Niger Faunal Corridor. The PPG process is to be implemented between May 2009 and September 2009 and will focus on the activities necessary for approving and finalizing the proposed project. The focal points for the project in government and the PPG team of consultants will work in collaboration with existing related initiatives to carry out the following activities: PPG Activity 1) Baseline data collection and information gap analysis: State of ecosystem and biological resources in PAs Inventory of existing information to develop biophysical indicators and assist project planning Information to support development of ecological monitoring systems for key species/ecosystems Establish Ecological carrying capacities for PA Geo-referencing mapping of existing data and map/confirm PA and corridor boundaries Assess resource use, ownership, socio-economic conditions using rapid assessment methods Analysis to support ecotourism, alternative livelihoods and enhanced protection of biodiversity Detailed assessment of threats, underlying root causes & barriers to remove threats on biodiversity Analysis of the effectiveness of PA protection and monitoring systems & tracking tools Feasibility study of potential agricultural developments of important flora species/pharmacopoeia PPG Activity 2) Capacity assessment for management of protected areas: Analysis of existing legal and regulatory framework to determine gaps in PA legislation Analysis of current and potential PA funding methods and requirements Analysis of existing institutional framework, including cooperation arrangement to ID capacity gaps Summaries successful institutional models and best practices from past and current projects Identify capacity building and motivational requirements for transhumance populations Evaluate PA infrastructure themes such as fire management, ranger stations etc Use Capacity Development and Financial Sustainability Scorecards to measure progress. PPG Activity 3) Stakeholder consultation and engagement PPG inception workshop Detailed stakeholder analysis Identify Stakeholder involvement and capacity building plan Open dialog between stakeholders/ PA communities and transhumance populations Recommendations for areas of stakeholder involvement. PPG Activity 4) Project costing and M&E planning Costing of project outcomes and outputs including co-financing commitments Adaptive management and replication strategy Define local and national and global environmental benefits Determine most effective project alternatives Identify social institution, economic and financial sustainability 2nd Mission by PA / Alternative Livelihoods Specialist Project Development Workshop PRODOC preparation
Duties and Responsibilities
Encompassing approximately 9 weeks of work throughout the duration of the PPG the Protected Area and Alternative Livelihoods Specialist will complete two missions to Niger complemented by support from home base. The International Specialist will play a pivotal role in the task of scoping and preparing the GEF project for submission in collaboration with the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor, the UNDP Country Office Environment Focal Point and the team of national consultants. More specifically, the specialist will be responsible for the following tasks: Guide national consultants in collecting baseline data and engaging stakeholders around the project proposal, participating on relevant consultation processes and commenting on reports and other products. Based on the baseline information collected by local experts, identify specific opportunities and constraints for making PAs and faunal corridors operational. In connection with it carry out a feasibility study of different project options (e.g. enhancing an existing system of PA in Niger’s Saharan biome versus investing in the expansion of the PA system) Evaluate PA management themes such as fire management, ranger stations and landscape wide management. Integrate international best practices, successful institutional models and best practices from past and on-going projects into Full Project design. Assess technical feasibility of recommended activities. Assess cost-effectiveness and incrementality of proposed FP activities. Assess sustainability of proposed FSP activities and provide recommendations for ensuring sustainability of project outcomes including the initiation of Management Effectiveness Tracking Tools. Provide recommendations for capacity building and stakeholder engagement activities planned for the FP including preparation of the Capacity Development Scorecard. Define recommended project monitoring and evaluation indicators.
Competencies
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences Skill in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and working with others Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise
Required Skills and Experience
Extensive knowledge of protected area issues, including legal and policy frameworks, PA management effectiveness (including community involvement and capacity issues), PA planning (including business planning) and ecological monitoring systems for PAs Extensive knowledge of implementing and evaluating community-based and private sector based tourism and alternate income projects within and around PAs Previous experience with GEF development projects is an important qualification for this position Hold an advanced degree in a relevant field for conservation work (either with ecological, socio-economic or alternative livelihoods background) with consistent professional specialization in issues of PAs Have at least 5 years of proven experience in the mentioned field; and Demonstrated track record of relevant production in the mentioned area (publications, project proposals, reports) Mastery of oral and written English is a requirement Working knowledge of French is a plus

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Protected Areas and Alternative Livelihoods Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience