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MESCAL Coastal Ecosystem Management Officer (Governance)

Expected start date: 01 June 2012
Type of contract: Fixed-term (until 30 May 2014)
Closing date: 11 May 2012

BACKGROUND


IUCN Oceania Regional Office seeks to recruit suitably qualified nationals of Pacific Island nations for the position of MESCAL CEMO (Governance)which will be based in Fiji.
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Mangrove ecosystems in the Pacific Islands have been gradually decreasing in area, despite the recognition that they provide many products and services of immeasurable value. They are the first line of defense against many of the effects of climate change and climate related extreme events. On average the Pacific has seen a loss of almost 13% of mangroves across the region over the fifty years. While the specifics may vary between countries, the underlying drivers of mangrove degradation are similar, according to regional mangrove managers and specialists in the Pacific.

In the light of importance of mangrove ecosystems for local livelihood their importance as natural insurance against climate change, IUCN has developed under its Pacific Centre for Environmental Governance (PCEG), a Pacific Mangrove Initiative (PMI). The primary goal of the PMI is to increase resilience to climate change by assisting Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) implement sound evidence based policies, plans and practices and targeted capacity development in mangrove management.

Under this Initiative, IUCN has developed the Mangrove Ecosystems for Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL) Project, funded by the German Government. The primary goal of this € 2.3 million project is to increase resilience to climate change for the people of the Pacific Island countries through adaptive co-management of mangroves and associated ecosystems in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Island, Samoa and Tonga. This is an interdisciplinary applied research and development project aimed at helping countries invest in the management of mangroves and associated ecosystems for improved livelihoods and adaptation to climate change. MESCAL activities will include demonstration projects, governance, economics, carbon sequestration, knowledge and information, communication and learning. The Coastal Ecosystem Management Officer (Governance) (CEMO) will join IUCN’s MESCAL Project Management Unit. The CEMO will work closely with the other members of PMU and in-country National Coordinators.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

To help in-country National Coordinators strengthen mangrove co-management governance arrangements, policies, and plans in the context of coastal zone management and the presence of customary and introduced resource tenure arrangements, under PMI project, Mangrove EcoSystems for Climate Change and Livelihood (MESCAL).

DUTIES:

1. Undertake the review of national policy frameworks relating to the management of mangrove ecosystems in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa.
2. Oversee the legislation review conducted by ORO Environment Law Unit ensuring that scope and thematic focus are relevant and compatible with that of the policy reviews.
3. In close liaison with the legislation review team, develop a workplan and budget for the governance component for the remainder of the MESCAL project.

4. Work with the ORO Environmental Law Unit and five National Coordinators to identify areas in which capacity-building may be required for policy-makers and enforcement officers in the five MESCAL countries and organize appropriate training exercises.


5. Develop and assist with preparation of terms of reference for consultants that may be required for the delivery of services for the governance component .

6. With the five National Coordinators, develop recommendations for policy and legislative change where appropriate, in the interests of improved mangrove protection through co-management.

7. Work with the ORO Environmental Law Unit and the 5 National coordinators to guide and develop a co-management framework for mangrove ecosystems management at national and demonstration sites.

8. Identify specific capacity development needs for co-management in the five MESCAL countries.

9. Conduct site visits as and when requested by MESCAL PM to monitor progress of research field activities in the five MESCAL countries


10. Assist in the development and production of knowledge products for the MESCAL project

11. Perform any other task that may be assigned by the MESCAL PM

REQUIREMENTS


• Education
Minimum of a Masters degree in the field of natural resource management or related field

• Work Experience
• At least 5 years of experience in governance and policy work and community-based resource management

• • Experience in project coordination highly desirable

• Competencies
• Demonstrated ability in critical thinking.

• • Excellent command of written and spoken English; demonstrated ability for report writing and ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and cultures.

• • Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

• • Ability to speak in one of the languages of the MESCAL countries.

• • Must be agreeable to regular travel within the Pacific region.

• (Special Note: Applications from suitably qualified nationals of Pacific Island nations will be highly desirable)

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/