National Agro-Ecological Expert- Rangeland

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authoritythat sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Functional Responsibilities

The National Agro-Ecological Expert-Rangeland (NAE-R) will work under the overall guidance of National Project Director (NPD) and National Project Coordinator (NPC) and under the direct supervision of National Project Manager (NPM). The NAE-R will work closely with the Technical Advisor and team up with other thematic experts to work coherently to achieve the project deliverables as per the specific terms of reference.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

1. Collate and assess information to identify plant and grass species for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) interventions in forests and rangelands including i) preferences of indigenous and local communities ii) socio-economic and biodiversity assessments and iii) predicted climate trends. Species that are climate resilient and or useful to local communities will be prioritized.
2. Team up with project thematic consultants and coordinate with DFOs, SWMOs, AKCs and VHLECs from the project districts to design protocols for implementing EbA in rangelands and forests.
3. Undertake field visits, to identify, verify and map the acreage of rangelands, categorise them into healthy and degraded rangelands as per national protocol within the project jurisdiction, prioritize for the restoration of degraded rangelands (at least 450 ha) using appropriate species identified as above.
4. Assess pastoral activities in selected project sites and climate trajectories to develop technical guidelines on managing livestock in the face of climate change (to be shared during the training under output 1.2)
5. Conduct technical training for district line agency representatives (Forest, Livestock, Agricultural, and User Group representatives) on managing livestock in the face of climate change.
6. Provide on the job training (GIS/GPS) to district line agency representatives to capture relevant spatial data on the status of rangeland, forest and water bodies.
7. Undertake other relevant responsibilities for EbA as required by PMU.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The payments will be made as per the agreement and submission of deliverables defined as quarterly milestones.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A bachelor's degree in combination with 8 years of work experience in the areas of forestry, livestock, rangeland, grassland management, agriculture, environmental science, botany or a related discipline is required. A master's degree in combination with 5 years or a PhD. in combination with 4 years of relevant work experience in the aforementioned disciplines is highly desirable.

Work Experience

• Prior work experience in high altitude areas comprising of vegetation mapping, habitat, grassland, rangeland, pasture management or related fields is required
• Sound working knowledge of contemporary environmental issues, climate change, land use change, rangeland policy and relevant legislations is preferred.
• Expertise in GPS/GIS handling and ability to work coherently in a team and travel to remote field sites is preferred.

Language - Fluency in English and Nepali is required

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: LICA-10 Contract duration: Maximum 115 working days across 3 years with the possibility of extension subject to budget availability, change in the project's scope and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

*It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

This is a family duty station.*