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Title

Atoll Ecosystem Conservation Project - Adaptive Management Advisor

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources
Location Maldives - Asia & M East
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 17/01/2011
Company Name United Nations Development Program
Contact Name Human Resources
Website Further Details / Applications
United Nations Development Program logo
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
IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Government of the Maldives is undertaking a project on the conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biological diversity in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll. The “Atoll Ecosystem Conservation (AEC) project” is co-financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented through UNDP. 
 
In the Maldives, atoll ecosystems literally provide the basis for the country’s existence as well as life-supporting services such as shoreline protection and goods upon which the economy entirely depends such as fish and tourism. However, social and economic change is altering consumptive behavior and livelihood strategies, outpacing institutional capacity and sectoral programs to adequately manage it. This in turn is threatening the natural endowment that is essential to maintaining the structure and function of atoll ecosystems, the viability of globally significant biological diversity, and the livelihoods and environmental security of the people.
 
Most important policy decisions affecting biodiversity have been taken at the level of individual sectors, such as infrastructure, fisheries, and tourism. Government initiatives to manage change and mitigate the impacts caused by it have been rooted in sectoral approaches, resulting in narrow, sectoral institutions, policies, and interventions.
 
The AEC project aims to design and demonstrate a model system for atoll ecosystem conservation, which can be replicated across the Maldives. From the 26 atolls of the Maldives archipelago, Baa Atoll was selected as the pilot for the AEC project because it is an area of globally significant biodiversity which characterizes the range of conservation issues currently facing the Maldives.
 
The AEC project vision is:

Baa Atoll: a world class model of atoll ecosystem conservation where sustainable use supports a prosperous economy and good quality of life for all, for ever - for replication across Maldives. 

The project’s three-pronged strategy is to:
  • Introduce the ecosystem approach to policies and plans nationally and on Baa atoll
  • Establish a model system for ecosystem conservation on Baa Atoll           
  • Support sustainable livelihoods development on Baa Atoll    
By the end of the project, modified sectoral policies and programs will enable institutions to more effectively manage biodiversity. Government, local communities, and the private sector will be partnering to secure the long-term conservation of biodiversity in Baa Atoll. And, local people will be applying new knowledge and accessing new sources of financing in pursuit of alternative livelihoods. Additionally, the project is seeking to promote the nomination of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
 
The baseline situation at the start of the AEC project was that there was no strategic conservation programme for Baa Atoll, and no human or financial resources devoted specifically to biodiversity conservation on the Atoll. At the project mid-term point in 2009, a biodiversity conservation programme had been designed and implementation begun, including the identification of key resource needs. During 2010, the nomination documents for the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve were submitted to UNESCO, with designation expected by mid 2011.

 

Duties and Responsibilities
The overall objective of this mission is to support finalisation of the readiness plans and launch arrangements for the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
  • To enable the project to maintain strategic direction during implementation by helping project management remain focused on overall results the quality of those results;
  • To sharpen the project’s focus on quality outputs;
  • To provide long term support for adaptive management, best practice assessment and implementation support for the project;
  • To ensure the project is an active member of a broader learning network of similar or related projects (GEF and otherwise); and
  • To emphasize a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation. 
Specific tasks to be carried out in three missions:
 
Mission 1
  • Overlap with the s mission of the Conservation financing specialist, in order to finalise arrangements for the creation of the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.
  • Review progress in implementation of 2011 work plan of the project and Baa Atoll Sustainable Development Plan
  • Ensure all outstanding requests from UNESCO have been addressed
  • Participate in meeting of “shadow” Biosphere Reserve Partnership
  • Advise on institutional and legal proposals for BR, establishing and capitalising the Conservation Fund, measures for 2011 management of protected areas and launch of Biosphere Reserve
  • Finalise project exit strategy
Mission 2 (June 2011)
  • This mission will only proceed if UNESCO has approved the nomination of the Biosphere Reserve, and will be timed to coincide with the formal launch celebrations. Specific activities will be:
  • Participate in the Launch of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
  • Participate in 1ST official meeting of Biosphere Reserve Partnership
  • Participate in 1st official meeting of Conservation Fund Board
  • Advise on progress with capitalisation of the Conservation Fund.
  • Review progress with 2011 work plan
Mission 3 (late November 2011)
  • Review progress with 2011 work plan
  • Draft the 2012 work plan to EOP
  • Participate in meeting of Biosphere Reserve Partnership
  • Participate in meeting of Conservation Fund Board
  • Review progress with project exit strategy
  • Technical support from home office
  • Adaptive management advice to PMU, UNDP, NPD
  • Quality control all plans and outputs
  • Support national / international consultants
  • Reporting
  • International networking (including co-finance development)

 

Competencies
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability  

 

Required Skills and Experience
The consultant should have a minimum qualification of MSc in a relevant discipline, and be able to demonstrate significant high-level experience (minimum 10 years) in the following areas:
  • Graduate degree in related discipline.
  • Minimum 7 years experience working in relevant areas of natural/social sciences
  • Knowledge and experience on coastal and marine conservation as well as community-based management is essential. Maldives experience will be an added advantage
  • Experience in providing similar guidance to comparable projects and of working at the scales envisaged by the project i.e. from local to national including sectoral integration.
  • Proven ability to work well with a cross section of partners in comparable settings and conditions;
  • The ability to apply this background to a macro, strategic perspective on project implementation.
  • Experience of project Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Well developed leadership, inter-personal, communication and negotiating skills, as well as a proven ability to work effectively in groups;
  • Fluency in both written and spoken English.
Missions to the Maldives will be split between time working in the capital (Male’) and working with partners and stakeholders in Baa Atoll.
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