UNDP PROGRAMME SPECIALIST (SOCIO-ECONOMIST) , Kilimanjaro, TANZANIA

Background

The Government of Tanzania, with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP is implementing a 4-year project aimed at reducing land degradation on the highlands of Mount Kilimanjaro, which has 7 administrative districts, namely Rombo, Hai, Siha, Moshi Rural, Moshi Municipality, Mwanga, and Same. This project is covering about 40,000 ha, across six watersheds in three mountain blocks of Kilimanjaro, North Pare, and South Pare. Kilimanjaro block is a major catchment and an important component of the Pangani River Basin (PRB), Hale, and Pangani falls. Kilimanjaro Mountain occupies the northern part and Pare Mountains in the north-eastern part of PRB. Other catchments areas of PRB include the rain catchment slopes of Mt. Meru and Usambara Mountains which are potential areas for replication.   The project is in response to the fact that despite its local and global significance, the Kilimanjaro ecosystem is experiencing extensive degradation and deforestation, driven by a set of complex interrelated factors, such as rapid population-increase, land-use change, poor land-management practices, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, declining commodity prices, and climate change. The project goal is to ensure “Sustainable Land Management (SLM) provides the basis for economic development, food security, and sustainable livelihoods while restoring the ecological integrity of the Kilimanjaro region’s ecosystems”. Its purpose is to provide local land users and managers with the enabling environment (policy, financial, institutional, capacity) necessary for the widespread adoption of sustainable land management practices (SLM). This will be achieved through 4 Outcomes, one of which is Markets support expansion of livelihood options in Kilimanjaro to reduce pressure on agriculture and natural resources, and increase income. This particular Outcome has 4 Outputs as follows:  mitigation through improved energy-efficiency and energy-switch earning carbon finance in place; high value non-timber forest products (NTFP) and agribusinesses identified and developed (including markets); access to financial services increased to support adoption of agribusiness and trade in NTFPs; and Strategy for up-scaling the agribusiness and NTFPs outside the pilot areas formulated and implemented.  To ensure that this component is guided by regional and global best practices, and appropriate socio-economic models, the Government with support from UNDP seeks to engage the services of a socio-economist to work in close collaboration with project teams in Kilimanjaro to ensure achievement of project outcomes and outputs. S/he shall provide technical leadership to the Project team in the implementation of the activities that will lead to the achievement of these Outputs (related to Socio-economic outcomes).   Based in the Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) office in Kilimanjaro, and under direct supervision of the (RAS), UNDP Country Office, and Regional Coordination Unit, the Socio-economic Specialist (SES) will provide technical input to the implementation of activities with socio-economic bearing to achieve project outputs, and outcomes. Particularly, the SES shall ensure that all innovative activities are based on good socio-economic models and draw experiences from within the country and region, and the results of testing such models in the Kilimanjaro region are captured, documented, and disseminated in technical publications. Working with technical officers from relevant ministries, the SES shall be responsible for the implementation and quality control of project deliverables, particularly technical reports. The SES, therefore, shall be responsible for providing sound socio-economic advice to the RAS, facilitation teams at the regional and district level as the basis for implementing project activities in collaboration with the project coordinators in Kilimanjaro, including areas to be identified by the new developing project idea.  At the Country office level, the SES will report directly to the Deputy Country Director DCD(P), through the Programme specialist responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

In particular, the SES will ensure that project activities related to Socio-economic deliverables are based on best entrepreneur and socio-economic models available and that they can be delivered according to existing policies strategies and plans. Lessons generated shall be up-scaled under strategic partnerships with existing institutions/stakeholders. The SES is also expected to adopt on-the-job capacity building approach targeting the regional and district facilitation teams in the 7 district councils participating in the project. In summary, the key functions are as follows: Plan the implementation of the socio-economic component of the project in collaboration with the Coordination team including development of Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors or MOUs, and assist in the selection and recruitment process; Approximately 6 - 10 recruitments will be undertaken during the year 2013 Provide lead role in the provision of quality policy and development advisory services around the micro-enterprises practice area, such as NTFPs, agri-business, fish farming, bee keeping, handcrafts, cultural tourism, indigenous poultry farming to national partners. Contribute to substantive coordination and provide linkage between local level interventions and national programmatic approach to SLM/SFM as related to the Socio –economic component Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge management in the areas of micro-enterprises.

Competencies

The required SES shall have substantial experience in rural micro-enterprise development as they relate to sustainable land management. In addition to experience working with government staff, local government authorities, private sector, etc., the SES shall also have extensive experience with technical support to project formulation, implementation, and management. Prior involvement in implementing UND/GEF-funded projects in the region would be an advantage. In summary, the SES shall have the following competencies: proven ability to plan, organize, and effectively implement activities; expertise and experience in micro-enterprise development in the context of rural development and sustainable land management; understanding of GEF/UNDP reporting procedures; research and analytical skills; ability to coordinate and work in teams, and in complex environments; proven experience in participatory processes, and in facilitating linkages between micro-entrepreneurs and micro-financers; and strong communication and advocacy skills maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related entrepreneurships and micro-enterprises issues analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Required Skills and Experience

Education: At least Masters Degree or equivalent in Socio-economics, Agricultural Economics, Agri-business Management, Rural Development, Business Management, or related studies. Additional qualifications in Natural Resources Management or Environmental Sciences are desirable. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of post-graduate professional experience in Sustainable Land Management or related projects and programmes, and shall demonstrate familiarity with socio-economic knowledge of the developing world including East Africa preferably Tanzania Demonstrated experience in biodiversity conservation and natural resources management required; knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies desirable Substantive knowledge of UNDP/GEF programming tools for planning, monitoring, and general knowledge of the UNDP Practice Areas, particularly Environment an advantage Language Requirements: Good communication skills. Fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=35289