Positions Available for SHORT-TERM CONSULTANTS under GEF/IFAD Project on“Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands in Southeast Asia”.
The Project: The GEF/IFAD Project on Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands in Southeast Asia Project seeks to reverse the loss and degradation of peatlands in Southeast Asian countries to avoid negative impacts on society, economy, health and the environment through capacity building and sustainable peatland management practices. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) as the implementing agency has approved a Project Development Fund Block B (PDF-B) facility to develop a full project proposal. The ASEAN Secretariat is coordinating the implementation of the project in collaboration with ASEAN Member Countries, the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and other partner organisations under the framework of the ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative (APMI). The project development covers the periodof September 2005 – May 2006. Details of the concept project proposal are available on request.
Executing Agency:Global Environment Centre (GEC) has been appointed by the ASEAN Member Countries to be the executing agency for developing the full proposal.
Global Environment Centre is an internationally recognized organization with global HQ in Malaysia - working in partnership with government and non-government groups globally and locally on environment and natural resource management issues. Main programmes are Integrated River Basin Management; Forest and Wetlands Conservation; andCapacityBuildingand Awareness. .
Nature and Work Scope: One of the major barriers to the effective community participation in the unsustainable utilisation of peatlands for agricultural and natural resource purposes is the lack of effective extension and also financing mechanisms to support such actions. Various pilot activities have been started especially in Indonesia to develop and test appropriate models. The review will assess experience and lessons learned and make recommendations on appropriate modalities to be applied during the project implementation.
Experts are sought to assist the Executing Agency in developing the full project proposal, one essential aspect is “Sustainable Finance Study”, forshort-term contracts byconsultants to provide expertise in conducting following studies:
1. Multi-Donor Trust Fund Study
Responsibility of Position
a)Provide recommendations for establishing or strengthening multi-donor trust funds both at national and regional levels to support peatland rehabilitation and management;
b)Examine options for financial support of a trust fund including donor contributions, user pay and polluter pay mechanisms, insurance etc. to generate sustaining resources to support peatland rehabilitation and management;
c)Identify othermechanisms and options to ensure future sustainable financing of peatland rehabilitation and management in the region;
d)Provide input to design of relevant components of the full project proposal.
Qualifications:
- Minimum tertiary education, those with Masters or PhD. will bean advantage
- Minimum 10-15 years experience in related field
- Significant experience in the design or operation of trust funds establishment and other financing mechanisms
- Should have experience in project development preferably development or implementation of GEF projects
- Proven ability to prepare reports in English is essential
- Track record in working within the region of Southeast Asia
- Understanding of environment / natural resources management issues
Remuneration: USD 180-250 per day (negotiable depending on experience)
Location of assignment: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia
Expected days of work: 20 days*
Period of work: December 2005 – April2006
2. Private Sector Involvement Study
Responsibility of Position
a)Identify ways to mobilise private sector to be an active player in the implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy;
b)Identify and describe optionsto involve private sector in sustainable management and wise use of peatland;
c)Identify ways in which private sector can contribute (in cash and kind) toward the protection, management and sustainable use of adjacent peatland resources under government or community management;
d)Identify ways in which private sector can contribute to the welfare of local communities living in peatland areas;
e)Design a possible regional sub-component for the project to enhance private sector partnership in peatland management and rehabilitation;
f)Identify potential private sectorpartners for involvement in implementation of the regional and country components of the project.
Qualifications/selection criteria:
- Minimum tertiary education, those with Masters or PhD. will be an advantage
- Minimum 10-15 years experience in private sector (preferably in the oil palm/treeplantation sector)
- Should have experience in project development preferably development or implementation of GEF projects
- Understanding of peatland management issues
- Proven ability to prepare reports in English is essential
- Track record in working within the region of Southeast Asia
- Previous involvement in issues relating to socio-environment
- Must be willing to travel with short notice within the Southeast Asia if required
Remuneration: USD 180-250 per day (negotiable depending on experience)
Location of assignment:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and other ASEAN Member Countries as necessary.
Expected days of work: 12-15 days * negotiable
Period of work:December 2005 – May 2006
3. Community Finance Study
Responsibility of Position
a)Collate experience and lesson learned for communitybased micro-finance for natural resource management and protection, and make recommendations to guide the project development;
b)Identify and assess current financing options in the region which are suitable in support of peatland management;
c)Study of financial assistance (micro-credit) to local communities marginalized by peatland conversion and options for financial assistance to local communities involving them in peatland rehabilitation;
d)Provide guidance to selected country or regional project design teams to develop financing sub-components as required;
e)Identify the financing constraints and opportunities for community based sustainable peatland management in Southeast Asia from the perspective of finance availability.
Qualifications/selection criteria:
- Minimum tertiary education
- Minimum 10-15 years experience in related fields
- Significant experience in the innovative community participation financial mechanism for environmental projects, micro-credits, or other innovative finance mechanism
- Should have experience in project development preferably development or implementation of GEF projects
- Proven ability to prepare reports in English is essential
- Track record in working within the region of Southeast Asia
- Previous involvement in issues relating to environment
Remuneration: USD 180-250 per day(negotiable depending on experience)
Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and other ASEAN member countries as necessary
Expected days of work: 20 days * negotiable
Period of work: December 2005 – May 2006
For those who are interested, please send yourapplication, containing a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV), including a recent passport-sized photograph, certified copies of relevant documents, and copies of at least two of their original report/publication to Ms. Latha not later than 9th December 2005. Contact details are as follow:
Email:
Fax: +603-79577003
Tel: +603-79572007
Address: Global Environment Centre, 2nd Floor, Wisma Hing, No. 78, Jalan SS2/72, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
GEC website: