TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR GIS CONSULTANT (NATIONAL)

Transcription

1 TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR GIS CONSULTANT (NATIONAL) 1. BACKGROUND Zambia has a total land area of 752,618 sq km of which 60% comprises forests. The forests are critical to Zambia s development in that they provide both ecosystem services and goods. Ecosystem services include carbon sequestration and storage, regulation of hydrological flows through infiltration and flood attenuation, amelioration of water quality, erosion control and sediment trapping, and serving as habitat for wildlife and birds which are so important to Zambia s tourism industry. They provide goods such as fuelwood, timber and poles, food and medicinal plants, non-woody raw materials such as thatch grass. The contribution of forestry to Zambia s GDP is currently estimated at 0.8% but taking into account the majority of the goods that are not traded in the formal market, forestry sector contribution to national GDP is probably much higher. Zambia s forest estate contained in both protected forest areas and open areas on customary lands is under serious threat of deforestation and forest degradation. Land-use change and forest loss is the main contributor to the country s GHG emissions. Deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia is estimated to contribute 3% to the total GHG emissions from deforestation worldwide. The deforestation rates in Zambia currently stand at approximately 250,000 to 300,000 hectares per year. Most of this deforestation occurs on customary lands where there is no management regime in place thus facilitating open access conditions. The key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Zambia include fuelwood (charcoal and firewood), agricultural expansion, timber extraction, bush fires, mining and infrastructure development. Charcoal and firewood make up over 70% of the national energy consumption in Zambia as only 20% of the population has access to electricity. Central Province of Zambia has over the years experienced accelerated deforestation rates mainly due to fuelwood production and agricultural expansion with little effort put into regeneration of the indigenous forests. Owing to its proximity to the Capital City Lusaka where fuelwood demand is highest, Central Province continues to suffer from high deforestation rates. 2. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT Page 1 of 5

2 The overall goal of this project is To increase the rate of forest regeneration and promote climateresilient adaptation practices among forest-dependent communities in Zambia s Central Province. The objective of the project is to address twin challenges of REDD+ implementation for climate mitigation and enhance climate resilience of ecosystems and communities through diversification of ecosystembased livelihoods through ANR and Agroforestry, Integrated Fire Management and by addressing the current unsustainable utilization of biomass for charcoal by enhancing energy and resource use efficiency. 2.1 OVERCOMING BARRIER This project has three main components to overcome the main barriers to improved forest regeneration, fire management and unsustainable charcoal production through three components namely; 1. Piloting of community-based, climate adaptive agro-forestry and assisted natural Regeneration (ANR) techniques 2. Enhanced capacity of foresters and communities in Central Province to implement appropriate climate-resilient agroforestry and natural regeneration practices in designated zones 3. Increased knowledge about and uptake of appropriate supply-side, biomass energy production technologies 3. CONTEXT The GIS consultant will assist in implementation of Output 1.3 which states that All VAG boundaries and use zones registered under the Zambia Integrated Land Management and Information System of the project document. The component looks at resource inventory mapping which will involve the VAGs to quantify and monitor the availability of forest resource e.g. number of species, number of trees, and volume of wood within their boundaries. Once forest resources have been quantified, the rate and extent to which they are harvested, protected and restored can be planned and monitored through a participatory process. The outcomes of this planning can be used to inform by-laws that stipulate how and when various actions relating to resource use and management are undertaken. These by-laws can be enforced as required to entrench VAG members rights to use, manage, benefit from, sell and protect forest resources. This regulation will ensure that rates of deforestation are reduced and that forest resources are used sustainably. It will also reduce the likelihood of conflicts between resource users within and between VAGs, as the strengthened governance system will delineate users rights to access and use forest resources. 4. RECRUITMENT, SUPERVISION AND REPORTING Page 2 of 5

3 The consultant will be recruited by the UNDP Country Office for Zambia following the rules and regulations set out by the UN General Assembly. The international and national consultant will receive direct technical supervision from the project implementation unit, Forest Department Director and UNDP Environment Advisor, and overall guidance by the UNDP-Zambia Country Director, with technical support from the regional service Centre. The consultant shall work cooperatively with the project implementation unit. 5. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The task of the national consultant will be to: a) Conduct training needs assessment surveys for VAGs and resource-user groups. b) Formulate hands on training manuals for communities on Data collection and interpretation of GIS maps c) Translate manuals in the local language d) Train communities in interpretation of GIS maps, data collection and in the use of associated tools (GPS, Compass, range finder, and others). e) Conduct participatory resource inventory mapping in each VAG and user area. f) Engage communities and other stake holders in Formation/ establishment of boundaries for VAGs and resources g) Consult with the planning Department of the MLNR on the procedures for registration with the Zambia Integrated Land Management and Information System. h) Identify and map resource use zone to be Registered under the Zambia Integrated Land Management and Information System administered by the MLNR using the base maps produced by the international consultant 6. EXPECTED RESULTS The three expected outputs are: 1. Manuals produced and translated in the local language 2. Training conducted by the consultant 3. Zones identified and resource use maps produced and registered under Zambia Integrated Land Management System 7. DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY The estimated duration of the consultancy for the national consultant is 50 working days spread over a period of 4 months 8. EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: At least 5 years of professional experience of projects and programs involving communities Page 3 of 5

4 At least 3 years of experience in working for any international donor-funded program. Experience in development and management of projects related to mitigating or adapting to climate change, and / or carbon sequestration and projects. Proficient knowledge of development in GIS Demonstrated experience with similarly complex projects involving coordination with multiple programs and partner institutions. Experience with gender-sensitive programming. Demonstrated strong leadership and effective management skills. As well as good coordination ability and the ability to work well in a team environment. Strong organizational skills including ability to prioritize and manage time, with strong experience in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops and writing reports. Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge. Good oral and written communication skills in English. 9. Education Requirements: University degree required; Bachelor Degree in Geographical Information System, Forestry, Geoinformatics or related field preferred. An MSc in Natural resources management or related field is an added advantage. 10. Preferred Qualifications Fluency in English and local language. Proven abilities to collect, analyze, interpret and produce maps using GIS systems All Applications should be received not later than Monday 20 th June 2017 at 17:00hrs Zambian time indicating the assignment being applied for in the Subject. Interested individuals should submit their applications by only. All applications to be addressed to: The Deputy Country Director United Nations Development Programme P.O Box Alick Nkhata Road Lusaka to: procurement.zm@undp.org (not exceeding 10mb) Candidates who do not receive feedback within 14 days from the closing date must consider their applications as unsuccessful. Page 4 of 5

5 Page 5 of 5