| Description |
| Location : | Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR | | Application Deadline : | 12-Aug-08 | | Type of Contract : | ALD International | | Post Level : | ALD-4 | Languages Required :
| English French | Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) | 01-Sep-2008 | | Expected Duration of Assignment : | One Year renewable |
Madagascar constitutes one of the world’s most important storehouses of biological diversity. The country has been classed amongst seventeen Megadiverse States, harboring up to three quarters of the World’s estimated species count (CI 2000) and containing 7 critical eco-regions, ranking amongst the richest globally on account of their species and habitat diversity and high endemism. These ecosystems, with their irreplaceable fauna and flora are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. The threats to natural ecosystems have accelerated over the past 50 years. The UN’s Country Common Assessment (CCA) describes the overall situation in rural Madagascar as characterized by widespread, extreme poverty resulting in strong pressures on the unique natural environment. Close to 80% of the poor live in rural areas. Their livelihoods almost exclusively depend on agriculture and related natural resource-based activities. Low farm productivity in combination with a rapidly growing population has generated pressures for agricultural expansion through forest conversion under slash-and burn production systems. Further contributing to this trend are poorly defined property rights and a breakdown in traditional regulatory mechanisms caused by increasing human migration within the country. The widespread adoption of more productive agricultural practices that could help mitigate natural resource destruction has been hampered by the lack of: (i) basic infrastructure; (ii) market integration; (iii) resource inputs; (iv) adequate access to credit (v) rural extension and training for communities for natural resource use plans; and (vi) effective integration of local communities in natural resource management initiatives and in Protected Area planning and site management. The interconnectedness between the natural environment and the rural economy implies that environmental degradation is, in turn, leading to household impoverishment--- with a vicious cycle of degradation and impoverishment evident. Furthermore, the degradation of Madagascar’s natural habitats is currently foreclosing future development opportunities for the country, in particular the development of nature-based tourism, while also undermining the provision of vital ecological services, such as watershed regulation and carbon storage within forests and soils. And further to the evolution of the context, Madagascar currently is also facing the issues related to energy management, climate change and pollution. Cognizant of the adverse implications of biodiversity loss for development, the GOM has taken a number of steps to promote conservation. These have been undertaken within the framework of the National Environmental Action Plan –NEAP-currently in its third phase. The NEAP has registered a number of accomplishments, most notable being the establishment of a network of protected areas, as well as the creation of environmental institutions (AGEX, NGOs). Investments undertaken under the Program from 1991 to date have led to the establishment of a comprehensive environmental policy and regulatory framework (Code for Protected Areas –COAP- (currently under revision), Forest Management Law, and Natural Resource Transfer Laws for community management- GCF, GELOSE, the MECIE decree putting investments under the obligation to make them compatible with environmental requirements, and also the decree No 2005-848, which includes various types of co-management mechanisms for decentralizing PA management). This has enabled the GOM to start addressing problems of rural poverty and environmental degradation on the ground and strengthened community participation in the management of natural ecosystems. However, despite progress, the task remains unfinished. Protected areas are not wholly representative of the country’s ecosystems, forests, coastal and marine ecosystems continue to be degraded, governance capacities remain weak at commune and community level, and the financial sustainability of the NEAP is not as yet assured. Efforts to correct this situation are severely constrained by the lack of viable sustainable natural resource models, weak institutional capacity at the central and local levels, and poor coordination between the implementing agencies. In 2007, the GOM launched an integrated national development programme, led by the Office of the President. Known as the Madagascar Action Plan for –MAP- the programme intends to address the barriers confronting the country’s bid to ensure sustainable development. The MAP has set biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources use amongst its main objectives linking it as a transversal component to rural development and poverty alleviation. A central objective, in this regard, is to strengthen the quality of environmental governance. This is to be achieved through the progressive decentralization of public administration (2007 Constitutional amendment,) transferring management responsibilities to Regions, municipalities/fokontany, and promoting private sector development through PPP alliances (Private-Public Partnerships), and entrepreneurship in rural areas, based on natural resources. Further reforms are being promoted such as the integration of sector ministries (agriculture and fisheries, territorial management, tourism); the aim is to change management arrangements in the environmental field so as to increase operational efficiency. The MAP, and preceding NEAP have been supported by a large number of multilateral and bilateral agencies, including the World Bank, United Nations, USAID, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and International NGOs, including the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International, World Wide Fund for Nature, and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust amongst others. | Duties and Responsibilities | UNDP is seeking to services of a highly qualified Senior Environmental Technical Adviser, with a specialization in biodiversity conservation and natural resources management, to work with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, and Tourism (MEEFT). The adviser will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Minister of Environment, Waters, Forests and Tourism and the technical supervision of the UNDP DRR/P. The incumbent will be responsible for: Coordination, Facilitation and Advising
- Actively participating and facilitating policy, strategic and programmatic dialogue and discussions between MEEFT, environmental institutions, donor agencies, international and national organizations and private sector actors in the formulation and implementation of the environment commitment of the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) to include the development of a new sector wide environment program.
- Advise MEEFT on strategies for implementing the MAP environmental commitment with a focus on biodiversity conservation, associated natural resources management, environmental governance with clear linkages to development activities to decrease the pressures on the natural resource base.
Promote and facilitate collaboration with Malagasy partners, donors, international and national organizations, and private sector operators to improve transparency and governance in the forestry, mining, petroleum and tourism sectors; and sustainable management of forest, coastal and marine resources through the development of national and regional zoning plans that balances conservation and economic priorities. Assist the MEEFT to strengthen national and field level coordination capabilities to link environment and development within the Ministry and between the Ministries and other partners (national and international) towards a common vision as defined in the Madagascar Action Plan. This would include information national and regional platforms that could also facilitate discussion and dialogue on key issues. Provide assistance to MEEFT in order to strengthen capacity of its central department of co-ordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation. This department, which directly refers to the General Secretary, should be able to reinforce its global vision of the ministry’s mandate and to efficiently co-ordinate and valorize the diverse projects implemented by partners, and aiming to support the Ministry to achieve its objective of sustainable development. Provide in-house expertise in biodiversity conservation, research and analysis, protected area management, conservation finance, ecotourism, community-based natural resources management, geographic information systems, and land use planning. - Advise on capacity gaps that exist in institutions responsible for MAP implementation and identifying mechanisms to address the gaps through tailor made multi-disciplinary training and capacity building activities. Provide ongoing mentoring in leadership and coordination to Malagasy partners needed.
- Work with the MEEFT to strengthen a viable environmental and tourism institutional framework and regulatory legislation that promotes application of the existing regulations and maximizes the strengths of key Malagasy institutions (eg. Ministry of Environment and Water and Forests, National Office of the Environment, Malagasy Forest Service, National Park Service and National Office of Tourism) to better manage the environment.
- Provide advice and recommendations on strategy development and programmatic direction for the integration of international conventions (Conventions on Biological Diversity, Climate Change, Ramsar, CITES, POPs and other signed conventions) ratified by the government into national policy framework; how to comply with requirements and use potential financial mechanisms.
Planning, Programming, and Monitoring - Work closely with the MEEFT to strengthen oversight of the portfolio of environmental and tourism program activities, providing recommendations on how to strengthen outcomes with a view to improving overall program impacts.
- Assist the MEEFT to implement its policies on regional planning and decentralization with a focus on sustainable land use planning. This will include development of a regional budgeted action plan, mobilization of resources, development of performance indicators and monitoring framework.
- Assist the MEEFT to set up a tracking system to measure, record and report on the impacts of the MAP, using a mix of environmental and socio-economic indicators; tasks will include preparing/finalizing annual monitoring and evaluation reports for the MAP and recommending measures to improve portfolio performance.
- Work in close collaboration with the MEFFT in monitoring activity implementation between agencies, inputs from financial and technical partners, monitoring delivery, developing performance standards and accountability measures for activity implementation and measuring implementing agency performance.
- Engage partners to ensure the environment program builds on lessons learned and best practices over the last 15 years based on an eco-regional approach that emphasizes community based, participatory approaches and linkages between biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resources management, ecological restoration of productive land areas and soils, sustainable agriculture, economic growth, and good governance.
- Establish a learning network to link practitioners engaged in the field of biodiversity conservation, protected area management, sustainable natural resources management. The network will provide a forum for sharing information widely in Madagascar on the status of environment activities linked to improved livelihoods to include outcomes and impacts, good practices and lessons.
Develop an electronic forum through web sites, articles, and other forms for sharing programmatic technical information relevant to the environment program, particularly approaches and methodologies for sustainable resource management linked to development to decrease pressures on the natural resources. | Competencies | Corporate Competencies: - Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning - Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas
- Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas
- Develops deep knowledge in Practice Areas
- Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the office
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness - The ability to develop and manage partnerships with donors, government authorities and counterparts, the private sector, and civil society;
- Experience working with government counterparts in developing countries in biodiversity conservation and environmental governance systems (desired)
- Experience working in multi-sector large scale environmental programs
- Ability to think strategically and formulate clear policy advice to the government
- Knowledge on international instruments and international conventions and agreements for environmental management (Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ramsar, Desertification, others)
- Takes initiative to strengthen coordination of multi-donor programs to strengthen government ownership and management of donor led environmental interventions
Management and Leadership - Focuses on impact and result for the client
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
| Required Skills and Experience | - Advanced university degree preferably in ecology, natural resources management, or related fields.
- A minimum of 10 years professional experience in the area of environmental governance reform with a particular emphasis on biodiversity conservation, and demonstrated understanding of the country context.
- Knowledge of the context of Madagascar would be an asset
- Fluency in both French and English languages is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.
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