UNDP Programme Specialist (Socio-Economist) Job Vacancy in Moshi – Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

PROGRAMME SPECIALIST (SOCIO-ECONOMIST)

Location : Moshi –
Kilimanjaro, TANZANIA
Application Deadline : 13-Feb-13
Additional Category : Environment and Energy
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Level : SB-5
Languages Required : English  
Duration of Initial Contract :  1 year
Expected Duration of Assignment :  1 year
Background
The Government of Tanzania, with support from the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP is implementing a 4-year project
aimed at reducing land degradation on the highlands of Mount Kilimanjaro, which
has 7 administrative districts, namely Rombo, Hai, Siha, Moshi Rural, Moshi
Municipality, Mwanga, and Same. This project is covering about 40,000 ha,
across six watersheds in three mountain blocks of Kilimanjaro, North Pare, and
South Pare. Kilimanjaro block is a major catchment and an important component
of the Pangani River Basin (PRB), Hale, and Pangani falls. Kilimanjaro Mountain
occupies the northern part and Pare Mountains in the north-eastern part of PRB.
Other catchments areas of PRB include the rain catchment slopes of Mt. Meru and
Usambara Mountains which are potential areas for replication.
The project is in response to the fact that despite
its local and global significance, the Kilimanjaro ecosystem is experiencing
extensive degradation and deforestation, driven by a set of complex
interrelated factors, such as rapid population-increase, land-use change, poor
land-management practices, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources,
declining commodity prices, and climate change. The project goal is to
ensure “Sustainable Land Management (SLM) provides the basis for economic development,
food security, and sustainable livelihoods while restoring the ecological
integrity of the Kilimanjaro region’s ecosystems”. Its purpose is to provide
local land users and managers with the enabling environment (policy, financial,
institutional, capacity) necessary for the widespread adoption of sustainable
land management practices (SLM). This will be achieved through 4 Outcomes, one
of which is Markets support expansion of livelihood options in Kilimanjaro
to reduce pressure on agriculture and natural resources, and increase income
This particular Outcome has 4 Outputs as follows: 
  • mitigation through improved energy-efficiency
    and energy-switch earning carbon finance in place;
  • high value non-timber forest products (NTFP)
    and agribusinesses identified and developed (including markets);
  • access to financial services increased to
    support adoption of agribusiness and trade in NTFPs; and
  • Strategy for up-scaling the agribusiness and
    NTFPs outside the pilot areas formulated and implemented. 
To ensure that this component is guided by regional
and global best practices, and appropriate socio-economic models, the
Government with support from UNDP seeks to engage the services of a
socio-economist to work in close collaboration with project teams in
Kilimanjaro to ensure achievement of project outcomes and outputs. S/he shall
provide technical leadership to the Project team in the implementation of the
activities that will lead to the achievement of these Outputs (related to
Socio-economic outcomes).
Based in the Regional Administrative Secretary
(RAS) office in Kilimanjaro, and under direct supervision of the (RAS), UNDP
Country Office, and Regional Coordination Unit, the Socio-economic Specialist
(SES) will provide technical input to the implementation of activities with
socio-economic bearing to achieve project outputs, and outcomes. Particularly,
the SES shall ensure that all innovative activities are based on good
socio-economic models and draw experiences from within the country and region,
and the results of testing such models in the Kilimanjaro region are captured,
documented, and disseminated in technical publications. Working with technical
officers from relevant ministries, the SES shall be responsible for the
implementation and quality control of project deliverables, particularly
technical reports. The SES, therefore, shall be responsible for providing sound
socio-economic advice to the RAS, facilitation teams at the regional and
district level as the basis for implementing project activities in collaboration
with the project coordinators in Kilimanjaro, including areas to be identified
by the new developing project idea.
At the Country office level, the SES will report
directly to the Deputy Country Director DCD(P), through the Programme
specialist responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.
Duties and Responsibilities
In particular, the SES will ensure that project
activities related to Socio-economic deliverables are based on best
entrepreneur and socio-economic models available and that they can be delivered
according to existing policies strategies and plans. Lessons generated
shall be up-scaled under strategic partnerships with existing
institutions/stakeholders. The SES is also expected to adopt on-the-job
capacity building approach targeting the regional and district facilitation
teams in the 7 district councils participating in the project.
In summary, the key functions are as follows:
  • Plan the implementation of the socio-economic
    component of the project in collaboration with the Coordination team
    including development of Terms of Reference for consultants and
    sub-contractors or MOUs, and assist in the selection and recruitment
    process; Approximately 6 – 10 recruitments will be undertaken during the
    year 2013
  • Provide lead role in the provision of quality
    policy and development advisory services around the micro-enterprises
    practice area, such as NTFPs, agri-business, fish farming, bee keeping,
    handcrafts, cultural tourism, indigenous poultry farming to national
    partners.
  • Contribute to substantive coordination and
    provide linkage between local level interventions and national
    programmatic approach to SLM/SFM as related to the Socio –economic
    component
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and
    knowledge management in the areas of micro-enterprises.
Competencies
The required SES shall have substantial experience
in rural micro-enterprise development as they relate to sustainable land
management. In addition to experience working with government staff, local
government authorities, private sector, etc., the SES shall also have extensive
experience with technical support to project formulation, implementation, and
management. Prior involvement in implementing UND/GEF-funded projects in the
region would be an advantage. 
In summary, the SES shall have the following
competencies:
  • proven ability to plan, organize, and
    effectively implement activities;
  • expertise and experience in micro-enterprise
    development in the context of rural development and sustainable land
    management;
  • understanding of GEF/UNDP reporting
    procedures;
  • research and analytical skills;
  • ability to coordinate and work in teams, and
    in complex environments;
  • proven experience in participatory processes,
    and in facilitating linkages between micro-entrepreneurs and
    micro-financers; and strong communication and advocacy skills
  • maintains an established network of contacts
    for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership
    related entrepreneurships and micro-enterprises issues
  • analyzes and selects materials for strengthening
    strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • At least Masters Degree or equivalent in
    Socio-economics, Agricultural Economics, Agri-business Management, Rural
    Development, Business Management, or related studies. Additional
    qualifications in Natural Resources Management or Environmental Sciences
    are desirable.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years of post-graduate
    professional experience in Sustainable Land Management or related projects
    and programmes, and shall demonstrate familiarity with socio-economic
    knowledge of the developing world including East Africa preferably
    Tanzania
  • Demonstrated experience in biodiversity
    conservation and natural resources management required; knowledge of
    climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies desirable
  • Substantive knowledge of UNDP/GEF programming
    tools for planning, monitoring, and general knowledge of the UNDP Practice
    Areas, particularly Environment an advantage
Language Requirements:
  • Good communication skills. Fluency in spoken
    and written English and Kiswahili
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.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 February 2013
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x