Location : Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN
Application Deadline : 15-Oct-10
Additional Category Environment and Energy
Type of Contract : SSA
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 25-Oct-2010
Duration of Initial Contract : 75 working days (approximately) ditributed from October 2010 to December 2012
Expected Duration of Assignment : 75 working days (approximately) ditributed from October 2010 to December 2012
The joint project of UNDP/GEF/Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan «Strengthening the management effectiveness of the protected area system of Turkmenistan» was launched to support the country's efforts in the development of protected areas system.
The globally significant biodiversity of Turkmenistan is partially protected through a system of protected areas (PA) covering early 4% of the territory. Under current conditions, the Protected Area System (PAS) of Turkmenistan is however not effectively safeguarding the country’s unique biodiversity because: (i) a number of natural ecosystem processes, habitats and species are not adequately represented in the existing PAS; (ii) the capacity of the institutions responsible for the planning management of the protected areas is under-developed, particularly in respect of the mainstreaming of protected areas to better align with local and regional socio-economic priorities. The long-term solution proposed by this project is a reconfigured system of protected areas that is designed to protect a representative sample of Turkmenistan’s biodiversity under an effective and adaptive management regime. This project will assist Turkmenistan to consolidate and physically link a number of proximate fragments of different categories of protected areas with high biodiversity significance, into a single, more cohesive management unit - a national park.
Project objectives:
Creation an enabling environment for the establishment of a functional, effective and ecologically coherent system of protected areas. This project will complement the governmental efforts in expanding and strengthening the PA System, and address the above barriers by two components:
* Expanding protected area system to improve the representation and coverage;
* Supporting development of adequate systemic, institutional and individual capacity for management of the expanded protected area system.
Duties and Responsibilities
An International Technical Advisor (ITA) will be responsible for consulting projects’ Working groups in implementation of activities according to the Annual Work Plan and the general tasks below:
* Review, analyze and revise baseline information delivered by the national consultants/local experts and ensure guidance for finalization of information collection
* Review the threats and the description of the barriers to the effective management of the Protected Area System
* Consultations on mmethodological approach to tasks and duties implementation of 11 Terms of References (ToRs) and working out directions, according to accepted international best practices with taking into account local specifics
* Advise on international best practices in protected area planning and management, institutional development and protected area financing tools
* Co-facilitate national workshops and provide general consultancy guidance to the project's National Experts
In detail, ITA shall provide constant consultancy, supervision and assistance to the National Experts of the project in the following activities:
* Preparation of review on current situation of PAS in Turkmenistan with the aim of short-term and long-term targets identification for representative PAS network development
* Development of guiding principles on creation, planning, management and monitoring of PA, including institutional functions and responsibilities. Identification of variants for sustainable financing of different categories of PA
Identification of the role of private sector and NGOs in the development of recreation and tourist agencies on the territory of PA
* Identification of report requirements for the effective management monitoring of PAS
* Needs assessment for the establishment and installation of software for a PA database
* Assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of each PA establishment option and recommendation of the most appropriate option
* Development of a complex 5- year strategic management plan for a to be established national park
* Development of a detailed annual work plan (AWP) for the first work year of the park
* Development of recommendations for PA legislation improvement
* Assessment of educational needs, training of PA staff, organization and implementation of trainings on PA management for authorities and nature reserves’s staff
* Development of a model and management plan of national parks based on leading international experiences
* Determination of alternative institutional options for administration and management of national parks
Deliverables and timeframes
International Technical Advisor will be expected to deliver the following outputs:
* Results of the setup session: general methodical approach and recommendations on each of 11 ToRs for National Experts – November 2010
* Progress Report: Monitoring over the implementation of activities by 11 National Experts (checking, feedbacks, corrections, editing) – January 2011
* Report on activities implemented by 11 National Experts: compliance with the requirements – May 2011
* Coherency of results: work with the Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP) and Local Consultants, guidance on format and content of materials, discussions with stakeholders and preparation of proposals according to the International standards – October 2011
* Development of the Final document “Management effectiveness of the Protected Area system of Turkmenistan” (including Guidance and Recommendations to improve PAS of Turkmenistan) – May 2012
* Adoption of the Final document, discussions, workshop and preparation of recommendation for its approval – November 2012
The duration of this assignment is approximately 75 working days (within 3 years) and will require 5 missions to Turkmenistan.
Year 2010:
1) 5 days – desk work
2) 5 days – 1st mission to Turkmenistan – November 2010
3) 10 days – desk work
Year 2011:
1) 5 days – desk work
2) 5 days – 2nd mission to Turkmenistan – January 2011
3) 10 days – desk work
4) 5 days – 3rd mission to Turkmenistan – May 2011
Year 2012:
1) 10 days – desk work
2) 5 days – 4th mission to Turkmenistan – January 2012
3) 10 days – desk work
4) 5 days – 5th mission to Turkmenistan – November 2012
Competencies
* Good and diverse knowledge of protected areas issues
* Excellent facilitation and communication skills
* Good understanding and practice of policy formulation for protected areas
* Cultural sensitivity
Required Skills and Experience
* Strong academic background on nature protection, biodiversity conservation, PA management
* Extensive experience in protected area analysis, strategic planning and management consultancy
* Knowledge of Turkmenistan and Central Asian region is an advantage
* Solid experience in drafting GEF projects, preferably, in the area of biodiversity conservation
* Flexibility to travel and ability to meet deadlines
* Proficient English language and computer skills (knowledge of Russian language is an advantage)
To apply
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and curriculum vitae to registry.tm@undp.org by 15 October 2010.
Applications procedures:
Applicants are requested to apply on-line.
Applicants have to:
* Submit the cover letter stating their interest in a position (in English);
* Upload completed Personal History Form (PHF) and CV.
Apply at https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?job_id=19291