The project is submitted under the global UNDP-GEF Targeted Portfolio Project for SLM in LDC and SIDS.
The granitic islands of the Seychelles are composed of a core of ancient granitic rock which forms the steep uplands, with narrow surrounding coastal plains formed by beach sand. Both types of soils are physically and chemically poor. Over 80% of Seychelles land area is under some form of forest or vegetation cover, though less so on the more urbanized main islands. Land degradation has mainly occurred because of forest fires, clearing of forest for development purposes (agriculture, including plantations; housing; infrastructure), effects of invasive alien species, unsustainable agriculture and construction practices, and landslides or rock falls.
Prevention and control of forest fires is taking place, but needs a comprehensive all-encompassing strategy, including models for rehabilitation of degraded areas. Unsustainable harvesting of forest products is on the increase and made worse because of the lack of forest management models. Invasive alien creepers that are smothering the forest is a relatively new phenomenon of which little is known, and no control measures are established. Soil conservation in agriculture is not effectively addressed because of non-conducive lease agreements of state agricultural land, non-effective extension work, and lack of adequate soil testing facilities. Risks of landslides are not well incorporated in land use planning and construction practices. Seychelles had no National Action Plan or Investment Plan for sustainable land management.
The project aims to increase capacity in prevention and control of forest fires, rehabilitation of degraded areas, control of IAS creepers, development of forest management plans, soil conservation in agriculture, and minimizing risks of land movements. It also aims to mainstream SLM in relevant policy and regulatory frameworks, and it will assist in developing a National Action Plan and Medium Term Investment Plan.
The objective of the project was to build capacities for sustainable land management (SLM) in appropriate government and civil society institutions/user groups in Seychelles and to ensure SLM is mainstreamed into government planning and strategy development.
The Project on Building Capacity and Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management in Seychelles is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Project through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Project has been implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The Project has been supervised by the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) and received technical guidance from the UNDP country Office and the GEF regional Coordinating Unit based in Pretoria. Further details on the background and activities of the SLM Project are contained in the Project Document, the Mid-Term Evaluation Report |
Duties and Responsibilities |
The TE should consider and report on the following evaluation issues and criteria:
- Project relevance and consistency with country priorities and the GEF Land Degradation Focal Area (specifically GEF-4 Strategic Objective 1 & 2, to develop an enabling environment that will place Sustainable Land Management in the mainstream of development policy and practices at the regional, national, and local levels; and to scale-up SLM investments that generate mutual benefits for the global environment and local livelihoods).
- Ownership of the project at the national and local levels; stakeholder participation at national and local levels and partnerships developed through the project.
- Effectiveness in realizing project immediate objectives, planned outcomes and outputs; the effects of the project on target groups and institutions; the extent to which these have contributed towards strengthening the institutional, organizational and technical capability of the government in achieving its long-term sustainable development objectives (including environmental management goals).
- Sustainability of project achievements and impacts, including financial and institutional sustainability, and an assessment of planned replication and exit strategies.
- Management arrangements, including supervision, guidance, back-stopping, human resources, and the Implementing Agency’s (UNDP) supervision and backstopping; the quality and timeliness of inputs, activities, responsiveness of project management to changes in the project environment and other M&E feedback.
- Financial planning and sustainability, including the timely delivery and use of committed co-financing.
- Efficiency or cost-effectiveness in the ways in which project outputs and outcomes were achieved.
- Adaptive management, including effective use of logframe, UNDP risk management system, annual Project Implementation Reviews, and other parts of the M&E system, tools and mechanisms as appropriate; evaluate whether project design allowed for flexibility in responding to changes in the project environment. Review the recommendations of the MTR and assess how the MTR had helped adaptive management of the project.
- Risk management, including the UNDP risk management system within ATLAS, which is also incorporated in the annual PIR. The evaluators are requested to determine how effectively the risk management system is being used as an adaptive management tool. Risks may be of a financial, socio-political, institutional, operational, environmental (or other) type.
Cross-cutting issues:- Governance: How has the project facilitated the participation of the local communities in natural resource management and decision making processes
- Promotion of gender equity: Has the project considered gender sensitivity or equal participation of man and women and boys and girls in decision making processes
- Capacity development of participants and target beneficiaries, communications and use of technology.
- Lessons and Recommendations: The evaluator will present lessons and recommendations on all aspects of the project s/he considers relevant. with special attention given to analyzing lessons and proposing recommendations on aspects related to factors that contributed to or hindered attainment of project objectives, sustainability of project benefits, innovation, catalytic effect and replication, the role and effectiveness of M & E and adaptive management in project implementation.
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Competencies |
Competencies:
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UNs values and ethical standards.
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Operational effectiveness
- Solid knowledge of financial and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
- Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business Management and Leadership
- 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 excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
- Shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
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Required Skills and Experience |
Education:
The candidates should have at least MSc or higher degree in Environment, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management or related fields.
Experience:
- Should have adequate experience in the management, design and/ or evaluation of comparable projects.
- In-depth understanding of land and environment issues in tropical/ subtropical and island environments. A minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience is required.
- Prior experience in evaluation of international technical assistance projects with major donor agencies, including UNDP-GEF projects, is an advantage.
- Familiar with SLM approaches in Indian Ocean either through management and/or implementation or through consultancies in evaluation of land related projects. Understanding of local actions contributing to global benefits is crucial.
- Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distil critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations.
Language:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Good knowledge of French advantageous.
- Ability to deliver quality reports within the given time.
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