Job
Title: Consultant/Specialist on Reviewing Fire Outbreaks and Impacts On SLM:
Re-Advertisement – No: FRURT 005/2013
Areas: Kagera, Missenyi, Karagwe and Ngara
Application Deadline: Jul 10, 2013
Position Description:
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking
for a qualified person to undertake the following consultancy assignments for
the Kagera River Basin Transboundary Agro¬ecosystem Management Programme
(TAMP):
Study on extent of wildfires and the use of fire in different land uses in the
Kagera region in Tanzania and their impacts on soil, vegetation, biodiversity,
ecological functions and livelihoods and identification of best practices and
control/management mechanisms for piloting by Kagera TAMP with stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the national project manager, and technical
supervision of the Land and
Water Division and administrative supervision of FAO Representative, the
national consultant will carry out the following tasks:
In collaboration with District Project Facilitator (DPF) and technical staff in
each district, collect and analyse information on fire outbreaks (wild and
intentional), their causes and effects with special attention to effects on
vegetation, soil, biodiversity, ecological functions (carbon, nutrient and
water cycles and pollination), and impacts on livelihoods, and identify
suitable wildifire prevention and controlled fire use t strategies for
implementation by stakeholders with support of the TAMP project.
Review existing literature on fire incidence and their control and management
in the Kagera basin (Bukoba, Missenyi, Karagwe and Ngara districts) in Tanzania
and the wider cattle corridor with Uganda;
Organize focused group discussions ‘with communities, district administration
staff and other stakeholders (SLM related projects, NGOs, etc), to assess fire
incidence and effects (affected land use types, extent, severity and frequency
and impacts) and understand reasons behind use of fire as a land management
tool (i.e. land clearing, burning of residues, pasture regrowth, hunting, honey
collection etc) and of wildfires (lack of fire prevention and control,
inadequate land and bush management etc.) and identify realistic strategies and
options for reducing detrimental effects;
Assess government, rural communities and individual interventions to control
fire use/outbreaks, their effectiveness as well as costs and benefits.
Identify best practices/mechanisms that could eventually be applied to reduce
fire use and damage; including the assessment of “traditional” fire
knowledge and management practices and their potential for future
interventions.
Take inventory of the policy, laws, by-laws and regulations against fires at
all levels (government, district, community/catchment) mechanisms for
enforcement and challenges encountered with corresponding mitigation
strategies.
With communities assess the effects of fire on: vegetation cover, soil quality
(soil carbon, soil life, compaction, sealing, and crusting), runoff .and soil
erosion, biodiversity (invasive/undesirable species, pests/weeds &
diseases, medicinal plants, pasture quality, pollination, game, etc.) and rural
livelihoods (assets, human health, etc);
In collaboration with FAO RS unit, suggest ways to address fire risk assessment
and how to deal with fire impacts in the Kagera basin of Tanzania
Develop a strategy and plan of action including training and awareness raising
for piloting by the project with partners for improved fire control and
management by different stakeholders (land users, communities, local and
district authorities) for forest, grassland, and crop land use types in Bukoba,
Missenyi, Karagwe and Ngara districts
Prepare and submit a draft report to the national project manager in Tanzania,
Regional project coordinator and FAOR for initial review and if required
revision and subsequent submission for technical clearance by FAO Land and
Water Division in consyltation with Forest Management and Conservation
Division.
Principal results/performance indicators:
Report on the situation regarding fire incidence, causes and effects and
existing and potential fire control mechanisms and managemeni practices and
their effectiveness with recommendations on a strategy and plan of action for
piloting improved fire control and managemenf in different land uses with the
range of stakeholders.
Information/data through site and areal sampling in representative land uses on
effects of fire on vegetation, soil cover, biomass and soil carbon, soil living
organisms, surface and subsurface compaction, sealing and crusting.
Expected results completion date: 15th August 2013 and principal results
30.days after contracting date:
Qualifications and experience:
The selected expert! Candidate should have
A University Masters or equivalent degree, preferably in Ecology, Natural
resources, Wildlife management, Livestock/grazing management, Forestry or
related field
At least 5 years of experience of service in one or more of the above fields,
including experience in conducting similar studies on fire incidence and use
and management/control practices in Tanzania
Experience and knowledge of questions related to climate change, biodiversity
and land degradation, agriculture, and sociocultural and environmental
interlinkages;
Fluent in English (oral and written) and Kiswahili.
Duty station:Missenyi, Karagwe and Ngara Districts. Duration: 30 days
Application Instructions:
The Applications should be sent to the below address before COB on 10th July
2013:
FAO Representative
SIDA H,.Ada Estate
Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road Opposite DSTV Office
P. O. Box 2
Dar es Salaam
Email: FAO-TZ@fao.org and
copy to: fidelis.kaihura@fao.org
