CONSULTANT - DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOZAMBIQUE LAND DEGRADATION MEDIUM SIZE PROJECT

Background

The Government of Mozambique, with support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) intends to utilize the balance of its GEF 5 STAR allocation on the Land Degradation Focal Area for a Medium Sized Project (MSP). The MSP’s draft Title will be “Securing Resilience and Adaptation through Sustainable Land Management” in three vulnerable and degraded Districts. The Districts are Pemba-Metuge in Cabo Delgado Province; Mabote in Inhambane Province; and Machaze in Manica Province. The project will built the capacity of the relevant communities in utilizing sustainable land management practices to secure ecosystems services, primarily those that reduce the vulnerability of livelihoods to climate change, by increasing ecosystem resilience and adaptive capacity of the land users. It is expected that the project will create conducive environment for collaborative action, creating synergies amongst various government and private institutions, NGOs and direct beneficiaries in targeted communities. Given that, even under the most conservative climate change scenarios, the effects of drought and climate variability (e.g. uncertainty of the beginning and duration of the rainy season) will be increasingly felt in these selected areas, the project will also aim to integrate adaptation to drought in key sectors and programs in the selected districts, ensuring that the land management for adaptation options identified can be carried out sustainably by the communities involved. In particular the project will build on, replicate and expand the results of two other GEF projects, namely the Copying with Drought Project, which is being implemented in the Guijá district in Gaza Province, and the Adaptation in the Coastal Zones in Mozambique, which targets 3 pilot sites including Pemba, Pebane Beach and Zavora. Terms of Reference can be viewed at the following  site:  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Consultant will work together with the International consultant to develop the MSP proposal. S/he will take the lead in providing the technical and social economic baselines required to provide the basis for the proposal (this should include current baselines and scenario analysis). The review will primarily be based on secondary data, and will provide the root-cause, threats, and barrier analysis. It will also be used to identify potential strategies for removing the barriers, identifying outcomes and activities required to deliver the outputs and the project in general; The National Consultant will also take lead in ensuring that the project initiatives identified build on other important national initiatives and processes related to SLM. In particular, technical reviews will include: Identification of specific sites for intervention; Baseline studies (institutional, biophysical, economics/financial, socio-economics, entrepreneurship/IGAs); Integration with development plans, policies, budgets and complementary projects; Completion of GEF focal area tracking tool; The National Consultant will also be available to assist in the preparation of a workshop to validate the proposed project framework and implementation arrangements and/or other technical review meetings as needed.

Competencies

Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;  Strong analytical, reporting, research methodology and writing abilities;  Excellent interpersonal skills and good team spirit;  Knowledge in use of computer software packages for word-processing, databases and spreadsheets;  Excellent communication and facilitation skills;  Ability to follow deadlines,  accuracy, and attention.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications: Minimum Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Agriculture and Natural Resources, or related fields. Years of experience: A minimum of 3 years’ experience in developing projects for GEF funding under the Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Adaption Focal Areas, preferably under UNDP’s implementation; Experience in engaging government ministries; Proven experience in carrying out project development; Experience in carrying out capacity needs assessments; Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge. Language: Fluency in English both written and spoken and working knowledge of Portuguese is required.

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