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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:National Biodiversity Specialist
The Biodiversity Expert will be responsible for implementing all biodiversity (BD) and protected area (PA) related activities under the guidance of the National Project Manager and MET, in close collaboration with Project Management Unit (PMU) staffs, the Soum Coordinators as well PA and soum government officers, and close collaboration and technical guidance by FAO-Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and WWF concerned experts.
Job/Position Title: National Biodiversity Specialist
Division/Department: FAO in Mongolia; WWF Mongolia
Project Number/Symbol: FAO GCP/MON/018/GFF WWF MON0033/40002171
Location:Ulaanbaatar with regular national travel requirements
Expected Start Date of Assignment:June 2021
Duration:3 months probationary period (one year with possibility of extension of performance up to 48 months)
Issued on:02 June, 2021
Closure Date:12 June, 2021
BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING
The project “Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia” is part of a global program led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) phase-7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (SFM/Drylands IP). In Mongolia, the project is led by FAO in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and will be executed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food agriculture and light industry (MoFALI) and other partners.
The objective of the project is to reverse and prevent dryland ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss through an inclusive, integrated landscape and value chain approach securing multiple environment benefits and sustainable, resilient livelihoods in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASK(S) AND OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED
The Biodiversity Expert will be responsible for implementing all biodiversity (BD) and protected area (PA) related activities under the guidance of the National Project Manager and MET, in close collaboration with Project Management Unit (PMU) staffs, the Soum Coordinators as well PA and soum government officers, and close collaboration and technical guidance by FAO-Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and WWF concerned experts. In particular, he/she will be responsible to:
• Define processes and quantifiable measurement approaches for the BD monitoring and landscape connectivity of important biodiversity, PA management effectiveness and to develop rigorous, systematic data collection of meaning to Mongolia and of international quality;;
• Identify training and resource needs on biodiversity conservation and management of Nature reserves (NR) and Local Protected Areas (LPAs) in connectivity areas and other critical patch ecosystems tailored to local context;
• Provide technical training and approaches to PA and local government officers and local volunteers for the regular participatory monitoring and verification of biodiversity;
• Organize tailored BD conservation trainings to farmers and local herders and other key stakeholders based on project needs.
• Support implementation of Environment and Social Management Framework measures related to biodiversity, protected area, buffer zone/wider landscape and community conservation and management activities;
• Analyse and confirm gaps in policies and legal environment for BD conservation and PA management in close collaboration with other relevant projects and initiatives in Mongolia, and identify options for policy reform in collaboration with the Policy and legal expert when needed;
• Conduct assessment on overall landscape connectivity for important biodiversity, in particular, for key/umbrella/migrating species;
• Provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of the conservation measures and local plans related to land and natural resources management to ensure PA and wider landscape/ecosystem integrity and sustainable management of forest patches and riparian forests (in coordination with Outputs 1.1.4, 2.2.4, 2.2.2, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4) and regular monitoring;
• Coordinate activities to define ecosystem integrity, needs and uses (i.e. sustainability parameters) to inform potentials for ‘sustainable off-take’, locally appropriate collaborative-management, access and benefit sharing structures, alternative livelihood interventions and sustainable funding mechanisms for NR and buffer zone management;
• Provide support to develop and implement awareness and education program on PA values and global environmental benefits for herders and key stakeholders;
• Assist in the development of management plans for NRs and support implementation of the priority interventions on-the-ground in line with management plans;
• Provide feedback for updating/upgrading Mongolian Management effectiveness tracking tool, BIOSAN wildlife monitoring system and other effective management tools for PA management based on lessons and best practices;
• Organize cross-site visits (at soum, aimag, national and regional/global levels) to transfer knowledge and exchange lessons learned on sustainable dryland management, including on NR and LPA management;
• Deliver project planned investments, in particular small-scale interventions for biodiversity monitoring and restoration activities in NRs and LPAs, small infrastructure for NR boards, and investments in developing processing and marketing capacities for buffer zone communities;
• Identify potential forms of conservation based income diversification for local farmers and herders in the NR and its buffer zone and LPA in connectivity areas and other critical patch ecosystems which are unlikely to benefit from tourism-based activities due to their remote location or other aspects;
• Supervise the work of cross sectoral, multi-stakeholder working group in developing guidelines and handbooks in order to ensure BD considerations are well aligned;
• Cooperate with National Land Specialist, National Agriculture Specialist, National Livestock Specialist and National Value Chain and Finance Specialist in developing and implementing consolidated training program for local decision makers and stakeholders (herders, private sector, CBOs ) on smart agricultural practice, sustainable pasture management and the conservation/restoration of critical ecosystems;
• Supervise the sub-contractor’s work for Protected Area/Biodiversity Expertise;
• Support the soum coordinators in carrying their assigned task in relation to BD conservation, NRs and LPAs management;
• Develop lessons learned and policy recommendations on the activities conducted, and provide relevant inputs for project progress reports and a consultant’s final report at the end of the project. This will include assisting the knowledge management and M&E specialist to prepare a scale-up strategy and investment plan for after project completion, including specific elements on management and sustainable financing of NRs and LPAs in connectivity areas and other critical patch ecosystems, landscape connectivity and as relevant for: (a) arrangements for continued operation for preventing biodiversity losses; and (b) specific options for MET follow-up and scale-up after the project.
• Any other tasks that is relevant to the position.
Required Qualifications
1. Advanced degree in a protected areas management , natural resources management, ecology or biodiversity.
2. A minimum of 10 years directly applicable experience working on biodiversity conservation and PA management, hands-on experience in biodiversity conservation planning and design of monitoring tools.
3. Familiarity with relevant national laws and regulations and international policies and methods for biodiversity conservation and protected area management.
4. Strong participatory and facilitation skills, in leading stakeholder consultations and participatory planning.
5. Previous experience with similar donor-funded project(s) is an advantage.
6. Proven experience with statistical and data analysis; familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative information analysis tools.
7. Excellent command of language in English and Mongolian including ability to write clearly and concisely at technical level.
Required Skills & Competencies
1. Excellent capacity to manage project planning, implementation and evaluation,
2. Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels,
3. Teamwork and strong soft skills including interpersonal, ethical, listening and communication skills, proactive, problem solving, self-organizing, planning, organizing, setting priorities and efficient use of time;
4. Computer literacy in MS Office; Adobe (package), ArcGIS, and conservation planning/monitoring tools and analysis software for BD, habitat, and ecosystem, its services (R, connectivity analysis etc.)
5. In-depth knowledge of programme and project implementation is considered a strong asset;
6. Experience in international programme and project implementing organization is an asset;
7. Willingness to travel regularly in the field;
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates please submit your application including
• Cover letter expressing your interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of diplomas, certificates and reference letters (2)
All documents must be submitted in PDF soft copy to the info@wwf.mn before 18pm on June 12, 2021.
• FAO and WWF encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce.
• FAO and WWF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• WWF Value lies on demonstrating courage through our actions, promoting collaboration, acting with integrity, accountability and transparency as well as respecting people and communities that we serve.
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
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