Forest Officer CBFM/JFM and Inventory, Tabora, Tanzania

Background

The Government of Tanzania in collaboration with UNDP/GEF recently launched a project focusing on the sustainable management of the Miombo forests of Western Tanzania, which are threatened by deforestation and degradation driven by various factors. The project is being implemented through the Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Tabora. Among the drivers of deforestation and degradation include settlers, land clearance and burning for agriculture, saw millers, tobacco industry, charcoal producers, and to some extent climate change. The overall goal of the project is that "Sustainable Forest Management secures ecosystem and biodiversity values while providing a buffer to the Congolian Rain forest, ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods. The objective of the project is "To enable miombo dependent communities to adopt productive practices that are favorable to biodiversity conservation and reduce carbon emissions from land use change and improve livelihoods". The project's immediate focus is over an area of 133,400 hectares covering 4 wards (Usinge, Imalamakoye, Mbola, Inyonga) in Urambo, Uyui and Mlele districts. The project implementation started in July 2013 and will run over a period of five years. The RAS Tabora is the Lead Implementing partner taking the overall responsibility of the project and will work in close collaboration with RAS Katavi, VPO-DOE and UNDP. Given the scope of the project, the RAS office will facilitate engagement of a number of partners with specific responsibilities either at sector level, academic/research Institution or NGOs. Actual field activities will be coordinated by the RAS team based in Tabora in collaboration with the RAS for Rukwa and Katavi. This TOR seeks to engage a Forest Officer who will be responsible for leading the implementation of forest activities related to Community-based Forest Management/Joint Forest Management (CBFM/JFM) and forest Inventory. He/she will facilitate engagement of local communities in forest management through a participatory process, field data collection of forest, biodiversity and ecosystem change assessment; provides technical input for carbon accounting both on and above the ground, and sequestration as related to REDD+. He/She will also be responsible for implementing all forest conservation and monitoring activities in the project target areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the process of formation of the CBFM/JFM and WMA, and empower and train the local communities on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM); Facilitate the development of implementation of forest management plans for all forests under CBFM/JFM and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the project areas; Provide backstopping, training materials and resources to build the capacity of forest management for Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRC) on use of GPS, ODK, mapping, inventory procedures and computation of forest biomass; Provide technical input for carbon accounting both on and above the ground, and sequestration as related to outputs focusing on REDD+ in the project document; Design and coordinate surveys and analyzing biological data and continuous monitoring of the forest ecosystem; With support from District Focal Persons, the Forest officer will supervise forest patrols and monthly reporting on forest fire, inappropriate harvests and other threats to forest conservation; Ensure that a comprehensive database (clearly highlighting baseline information) on the principal species and uses for all timber and non-timber forest products are produced through community participatory mapping for resource planning and management; Ensure equitable benefit sharing mechanisms of resources within the community under, CBFM/ JFM and WMA are in place and applied appropriately; With support from District Focal Person, the Forest CBFM expert will ensure provision of forums for dispute resolution within the community (Village Governments, VNRM, CSOs and CBOs) in order to get agreements that support the implementation of CBFM/JFM and WMA for SMF. Prepare monthly reports against set targets and indicators with analysis of evidence of progress towards planned workplan and budget; Ensuring stakeholders are involved at all appropriate levels; Assist the National Project Coordinator in the preparation of periodic Project Implementation Reports and Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), technical reports for submission to RAS, UNDP/GEF and Project Steering Committee as required;

Competencies

Proven ability to plan, organize and effectively implement activities; Proven skills for negotiation, lobbying and advocacy; Ability to coordinate and work in teams, as well as in complex environments; Ability to observe deadlines, accuracy and attention to detail; Excellent communication and facilitation skills including knowledge in application of computer software packages for word-processing, excel, power point, databases and spreadsheets, and the internet; Understanding of UNDP/GEF functioning and reporting procedures; Ability to work under minimum supervision to meet short deadlines; Commitment and drive to achieve challenging goals, and problem solving attitude; A team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with multiple teams located in multiple institutions; Ability to identify client needs and deliver the agreed actions promptly and accurately.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: At least Masters Degree preferably in the environment and natural resources management, forestry, or related discipline with experience in planning, implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation. Experience: Proven knowledge and experience in institution building in the natural resources and environment sector; A minimum of five (5) years of post-graduate professional experience relevant in sustainable land/forest and natural resources management in the development context; Proven experience in participatory processes, and in facilitating dialogue between Government, development partners, private sector, villagers and civil society; Willingness to participate in field activities/surveys and extensive travel to remote areas within the project areas; Understanding of climate change issues, including REDD+, forest/Natural Resources Management and GIS/Remote sensing is an asset; Experience in writing project reports and forest management plans; Experience in writing project success stories, lessons learned and best practices; Experience in working with local communities, NGOs, CSOs and local government. Language: Fluent in written and spoken English as well as in Kiswahili language with excellent report writing capabilities.

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.

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