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Consultant-Community Forestry Specialist

1:00:00 PM
The Community Forestry Management (CFM) approach has been identified as one of the best models for the sustainable management of forest resources and livelihood improvement of the local communities. The CFM recognizes that economic alternatives are necessary if communities are to stop un sustainable exploitation of forest resources. Furthermore, the approach recognizes that the communities are themselves in the best position to protect the forest from illegal or unsustainable practices.
 
Community Forest Management in Sri Lanka is being implemented in Sri Lanka by the Forest Department. The Government of Australia has extended support since 2003. The first Australian assisted CFM effort was the “Sri Lanka Australia Natural Resources Management Programme (2003-2009) and the second phase is the programme is the current Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme – SLCFP (2012-2016).
 
The present SLCFP programme is being implemented in 16 districts in Sri Lanka with the technical support of UNDP. One of the key technical assistance components is the extensive application of monitoring and evaluation tools to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the SLCFP. As such the project design includes the use of the services of an experienced Community Forestry Specialist on a periodic basis to support the project management especially in the areas of monitoring, proposing improvements and following up.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope and Objectives:
 
Scope:
The Consultant-Community Forestry Specialist will work with UNDP, Forest Department and other relevant government and international organizations to achieve the tasks detailed under the Responsibilities section of the Terms of Reference.
 
Objectives:
 
To provide technical inputs to Programme Activities
 
Expected Outputs
  • Technical observations and reports related to the implementation of the Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme.
  • Technically sound suggestions to improve/reorient the design and implementation approaches of the Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme in line with the Sri Lanka country requirements
 
Timeframe
The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is fifty days within one year time period.
 
The Consultant Profile:
 
The profile of the individual consultant is specified below:
 
Responsibilities and Qualifications of the Consultant-Community Forestry Specialist:
Responsibilities:
 
The Consultant-Community Forestry Specialist will be responsible for performing the following tasks at least once in every quarter (three months period) under the guidance of the Forest Department and UNDP:
  • Review annual Work plans, progress reports and other documents relating to the Sri Lanka Community Forestry Programme;
  • Consult with the Senior Deputy Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry & Extension Division) and other forestry officers in relation to plans, progress and issues/constraints;
  • Undertake site visits, independently or with other agencies, and discuss progress and issues/constraints with local forest officers, other government agencies, and members of the participating communities;
  • Review the work in different sites (actual and planned) and comment on the capacity of the Forest Department to achieve the targets outlined in the Programme Design Document (PDD);
  • Review the cost per site (focusing on inputs funded under the program by both Government of Australia and Government of Sri Lanka) and compare costs with the estimate provided in the PDD and assess the value for money;
  • Collect data in line with the pre-designed monitoring and evaluation system including the field level indicators (project as well as the essential indicators for AusAID).
  • Assess the adequacy of inputs from other government agencies in supporting the community forestry program (and the potential need to provide additional financial incentives for these agencies to increase their participation in the programme);
  • Monitor the Forest Department’s budget for community forestry programs, and assess its capacity to gain adequate funding from the GoSL to maintain community forestry sites and expand the program following the period of Australian funding;
  • Undertake a comparison of (i) progress against annual Work plans and (ii) annual Work plans against the program design, and discuss the findings with key forestry officials, UNDP and AusAID;
  • Summarize any significant changes that have occurred from the original design, and provide comment on the implications of these changes;
  • Provide comment on the role that the Technical Advisory Group –TAG- (commissioned by AusAID) is having, and provide suggestions on areas in which the TAG may need to focus on the future; and
  • Prepare a brief report for the UNDP, AusAID and the Forest Department summarizing the purpose and focus of the review, the itinerary and people consulted, progress to date, any issues/constraints, and any recommendations to improve the effectiveness of program delivery or the impact of the program.
  • Provide high quality photos and other materials collected during the field visits to the Project Coordination Unit and provide guidance to improve and use of the on line database

Competencies

Corporate 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
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional Competencies:
  • High level of analytical skill and consultative ability
  • Deep understanding of soil, water and other environmental processes including potential climate change impacts
  • Demonstrated report writing skills at national and project levels
  • Ability to work in team and deliver timely and quality analysis

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • A Masters degree in Forestry or relevant subject area
Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in community forestry activities in Sri Lanka
How to Apply
Interested individual consultants or institutions must submit the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications and experience:
  • CV of consultant or nominated resource personnel including past experience in similar exercises.
  • Examples and proof of similar work undertaken and successfully delivered within the last 3-5 years;
  • Contact numbers of two non-related referees.
  • Detailed financial proposal in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) with a clear indication of all inclusive fee for each of the deliverables (to include consultancy fee/honorarium/stationery/admin costs/ honorarium to sector consultants and other costs etc). Please note that any travel costs for work done outside of the duty-station will be agreed at the time of travel on actual basis and should not be included in the financial proposal.
  • Please duly fill the below financial proposal  and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above.
Payment will be made in four equal instalments after completing the quarterly assignments.
 
Financial Proposal
 
All Inclusive Fee per Day
LKR;--------------------------------------------------
(in words;
 
VAT (12%) (if applicable)
LKR;--------------------------------------------------
(in words;
 
Other taxes (if applicable, please specify)
LKR;--------------------------------------------------
(in words;
 
Deadline for Submission
The deadline for submission of the applications is 14th March 2013 2.00 p.m.
Sri Lanka time
  
Note:
  • The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her financial proposal including his/her monthly consultancy fee, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone usage, printing cost, and stationary, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise.
  • The consultants/organizations are responsible for arranging their transportation, accommodation and other costs for any travel to the field (if required to) including driver, accommodation, fuel, and vehicle). The estimated transportation/accommodation cost (daily rate) should be submitted to UNDP for approval and endorsement prior to conducting the field work in order for it to be reimbursed by UNDP upon return from the field. 
No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant or institution.
 
FC: 30000
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=36140

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