National Rangeland Management Policy in Somalia & harmonizing and updating with National forestry and Charcoal policies

Result of Service The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out detailed inquiry collecting relevant information and data through desk reviews noting the status of forest issues, gaps, opportunities, and challenges, Conducting consultations and in-depth interviews with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the forest and rangeland sector, civil society and non-governmental organizations (national) in the country. The goal objective is to have a guiding principle of sustainable rangeland management and use of natural resources, rangeland governance and a legal institutional framework.

Work Location Mogadishu

Expected duration 5 Months

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that 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. The Regional Africa Office is responsible for the organization's strategy, overseeing special initiatives, which include environment and security work, and the organization's performance review and monitoring. This position is in the Regional Africa Office of the UN Environment Programme.

Somalia’s environment was severely degraded due to the absence of governance and enforcement during the civil war. In the absence of an effective government, many traditional forms of natural resource management and enforcement mechanisms have been abandoned or ignored. Unsustainable exploitation and loss of natural resources and biodiversity are prevalent. Huge areas that were once tree-covered rangelands have been reduced to treeless plains, which resulted in the disappearance of wildlife and increased soil erosion. Scarcity of freshwater, severe erosion such as gully, land degradation and siltation of water bodies are also major issues. The adverse impacts of climate change have also exacerbated the rate of environmental degradation in the country. Forest degradation and mismanagement of natural resources are severely jeopardizing Somalia´s economy. Approximately 70% of Somalis are dependent on livestock and pastoralism. As floods and droughts become more severe and frequent in Somalia, there is a need to find proper approaches and establish policies and regulatory frameworks that can reduce the natural resource degradation, sensitivity of livestock management and pastoralists and increase rainfall variability. To address these issues, the United Nations Environment Programme Agency (UNEP) with its PROSCAL (Programme for Sustainable Charcoal Reduction and Alternative Livelihoods) Programme is financing a national Consultant to develop the “ National Rangeland Management Policy”. The Consultant will report to Programme Manager, Disaster Resilience and Conflict Unit and the consultant is responsible for the following duties:-

a. Review all the existing relevant documents and data. b. Review old National Natural resource-related policies such as National Forestry Policies, National Charcoal Policies, Conservation related strategies, and action plans. c. To establish its inclusiveness and or exclusiveness in addressing emerging issues. d. Review Environmental policies land tenure, and rangeland policies in FMS (Puntland, Somaliland). Review acts and strategies that influence rangeland management. e. Review existing studies on rangeland and its management in Somalia. f. Review of the neighbouring countries, IGAD and AU if there are any rangeland policies and strategy, implementation plan or legislation has been developed. g. Consultations with all relevant stakeholders through meetings, workshops and other appropriate forums as agreed on the relationship between their related environmental institutions and with National Rangeland Management Policy. h. Gather and incorporate their views on the draft of the National Rangeland Management Policy with a particular focus on harmonization, coordination, and governance. i. Suggest any appropriate measures that are needed to resolve, manage, or minimize grazing conflicts. j. Outline policy, strategy and implementation options for improved and sustainable management and productivity of priority rangeland systems. k. Prepare a draft of the National Rangeland policy and provide an implementation plan for the Policy. l. Carry out consultations and incorporate comments and feedback from Rangeland related institutions and stakeholders. m. Prepare the final draft of the Rangeland policy document containing all the relevant sections including but not limited to situation analysis, goal objectives and guiding principles, sustainable management and use of natural resources, rangeland protection strategies, governance, Research, Education, and M&E. n. Update and harmonize with the other two policies of Forestry and charcoal with both newly developed rangeland management and other IGAD forestry strategy & Africa Forest initiatives (AFR100). o. Prepare presentations, facilitation guidelines and other tools for conducting workshops with the key line ministries, civil society organizations, academia, research organizations, and representatives of agropastoral communities. p. Make presentations on the deliverables to the Technical Reference Group and Project Committee. q. Validation of National Rangeland Policy: Present the final document of the rangeland policy for the validation of the Final National Rangeland Policy with the representation of high officials from the key ministries of the Government.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in natural resources, forestry, Rangeland management, climate change, environmental management and/or Law is required Experience: Minimum of (7) seven years of experience in environmental or natural resources management is required. Proven experience in conducting policy and legal reviews in the natural resources and Rangeland Management sector in the region. Previous research on the Forestry & rangeland management & climate change issues in Somalia or the Horn of Africa would be an advantage Proven experience in report writing and analytical skills.

Additional Information English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.