CONSULTANT - REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONAL PRACTICES IN GRL & GKKL LANDSCAPES - SOUTHERN CIRCUIT OF TANZANIA, Ruaha National Park

NATIONAL CONSULTANT: REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONAL PRACTICES IN GRL & GKKL LANDSCAPES; SOUTHERN CIRCUIT OF TANZANIA

Location : Ruaha National Park, TANZANIA

Application Deadline : 08-Nov-13

Additional Category Environment and Energy

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract : 35 working days which will be spread over the duration of 3 months

Expected Duration of Assignment : 35 working days which will be spread over the duration of 3 months

Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with UNDP has committed funds to support strengthening the Protected Area Networks in Southern Tanzania; by implementing measures that will contribute to improving the effectiveness of National Parks in addressing threats to biodiversity conservation. This project aims at creating a coordinated landscape management approach in the Greater Ruaha landscape (GRL) and Greater Kitulo-Kipengere landscape (GKKL) to serve as a shield against human-induced pressures on southern Tanzania's threatened biodiversity.

In addition, the project will provide planned, targeted and effective support to the operational capacity of core protected areas within those landscapes. These two landscapes will be managed for the conservation of biodiversity and landscape values, including aligned revenue generation opportunities and enhanced economic performance, for ecosystem services (which are better managed at landscape level) for optimum ecosystem functioning, and for sustainable protected area management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analysis of the governance framework for PA management, including clarification of existing roles and mandates of different government institutions as well as other entities; a preliminary assessment of the suitability of different potential PA management models (community co-management; private sector involvement; PA Boards; other stakeholders; participatory planning, etc.) in GRL and GKKL landscapes; and recommendations of priorities and strategies for how the project can improve the PA landscape governance framework.
• Analysis of the institutional operational practices for effective land use for economic development and biodiversity conservation and their capacity, focusing particularly on existing mechanisms for empowerment, planning, monitoring and regulation of biodiversity conservation as it relates to Protected Areas, land management and livelihoods support systems; and, recommendations for the project.
• Review of PA system, institutional management structure and operational practices including reporting, decision making functions and financial flows as well as analysis of existing institutional frameworks against coordination, conservation and sustainable development objectives.
• Identify needs and opportunities for strengthening operational capacities of the institutions that will support project implementation on planning, monitoring and regulation at each level. Make recommendations on project strategies for capacity development in these areas, including an implementation strategy for the effective governance at the landscape level.
• Assessment of existing landscape management plans and identify gaps and recommendations on measures for strengthening and rationalising management and institutional arrangements. Capacity assessment and capacity development strategy for PA management i.e. identify needs and opportunities for strengthening capacity of the institutions on planning, monitoring and regulation at each level; make recommendations on project strategies for capacity development in these areas; including an implementation strategy for the effective governance at the landscape level.
• Analysis of governance and organisation at community level and , focusing particularly on existing mechanisms for planning, monitoring and regulation of PAs and biodiversity resources, effective participation in the tourism business, and their effectiveness; and, recommendations for the project. Analysis of civil society organisations, their capacity in terms of resources and their governance and organization, particularly effectiveness in relation to biodiversity conservation and livelihood support systems; and, recommendations for the project.
• Identification of needs and opportunities for strengthening biodiversity management and livelihood support systems in the GRL and GKKL ecosystem in tandem, and at each of the above levels.
• Development of recommendations of how these can be improved, how to set up an effective governance system for the effective conservation of biodiversity in the GRL and GKKL ecosystem in tandem with improving livelihoods of the communities in the landscapes for the long term sustainable economic development and survival of biodiversity.
• Lessons learned on operational practices implemented in other regional and global institutions, positive and negative.

Competencies

• Expertise and proven understanding of the governance framework for Protected Areas management in Tanzania
• Strong research and analysis skills
• Proven ability to plan, organize and effectively implement activities.
• Ability to coordinate and work in teams, as well as in complex environments.
• Proven experience in participatory processes, and in facilitating dialogue between Government, Development partners, private sector and civil society.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.
• Understanding of UNDP/GEF functioning and reporting procedures.
• Understanding of landscape conservation and land use planning and management
• Encourages the application of new approaches and promotes their use in different situations

Required Skills and Experience

• At least Masters Degree or equivalent in environment and natural resources management, economics or natural sciences with experience in research, Natural resources planning & implementation, Natural Resources Conservation, Environmental Management or a related discipline; with 10 years of proven experience in policy analysis, landscape management and institutional capacity building. Exposure to landscape based management systems and their development.
• Strong understanding of both protected areas and biodiversity mainstreaming concepts in particular in relation to landscape management, alternative livelihoods and community based natural resources.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili required.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=41449