Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Specialist in Timor Leste
Timor-Leste
- Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
- Location: Timor-Leste
- Grade: Mid level - International Volunteer - Internationally recruited Volunteer
-
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Maritime
- Closing Date: Closed
UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT TLSR000042--Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Specialist The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long- established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
General Information
Country of Assignment Timor Leste
Host Institute United Nations Development Programme
Volunteer Category International Specialist
Number of Volunteer 1
Duration 12 months
workbench.possibility_of_extension Yes
Expected Starting Date Immediate
Duty Station
Dili
Assignment Place Family Duty Station
Assignment Place Remark
Family duty station
Living Conditions
Living Conditions: Timor Leste is half of a tropical island on the Australian continental shelf characterized by a rugged mountain chain running east-west that divides the country into a generally warmer north coast and a milder south coast. The capital city, Dili, is in the north. Oe-cusse is a district of East Timor. It is a coastal exclave in the western part of the island of Timor, separated from the rest of East Timor by West Timor, which is part of the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia and which surrounds Oe- cusse in all directions except the north, where it borders the Savu Sea. The capital of the district is Pante Macassar, also called Oecussi Town.
Climate: The climate along the coast is relatively warm hot year-round with an annual average temperature of 30°C. There are two
distinct seasons: the north-east monsoon season, which runs from November to March, constitutes the rainy season throughout the country. The southeast monsoon season, which runs from March to October, constitutes the dry season with some rain on the southern coast but otherwise dry and windy conditions in the rest of the country. The climate inland with its high mountains can be very cold with an annual average temperature of 15°C.
11 Oct 2017 Page 1 of 7 Health: Now, public hospital and private clinic service to community and not listed as a recommended medical facility for UN staff. In case of emergency evacuation to be taken in place through helicopter to capital Dili. Stamford clinic serves as a recommended
medical facility for UN staff There is a national hospital with some international staff and a limited number of other private clinics in
Dili. For more complex medical treatment and assessment, it is necessary to evacuate to neighbouring countries such as Darwin or
Singapore.
Diet, Food and Water: Most staple foods can be found in the markets such as rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and sugar.
There are many local markets around Oe-cusse supermarkets that are stocked with imported goods, mainly from Australia,
Indonesia, Singapore and China. Oe-cusse has a view number of restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a variety of food ranging
from Western to Southeast Asian fare. You can also find several local restaurants with less expensive meals. The price range for a
meal can range from $3 to $20+.
Telecommunications: Now, there are three telecommunication providers in country, Timor Telecom and Telcomcel and Telemor.
While Timor Telecom has been long present, Telcomcel and Telemor were newly launched in Timor-Leste, and started operating in
February 2013. The SIM cards cost $2-3 and pre-paid/pulsa cards range from $1 to $50. Further, depending on UN Agency, you
may receive a PIN code to make international phone calls that will be charged to your VLA.
Hotels: The UNV Field unit in Dili will help arrange your initial accommodation in a hotel, at your expense. Most of the hotels in Oe-
cusse are aimed at internationals and offer a good level of comfort with air-conditioned rooms and en-suite bathrooms. You can
expect to pay from $30 to $50 per night. Permanent Accommodation: Expect that your accommodation will range from the very
basic to adequate, although many private houses in Oe-cusse have been renovated to a reasonable or even considered ‘luxurious’
level of comfort. The rate of reconstruction and renovation in the districts has been much slower than in Dili. Accommodation is far
more likely to be of a very basic level.
Assignment Details
Assignment Title Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystem Conservation Specialist
Organizational Context & Project Description
The objective of the UNDP GEF-funded project – Building Shoreline Resilience of Timor-Leste to Protect Local Communities
and Their Livelihoods is to strengthen resilience of coastal communities by the introduction of nature-based approaches to coastal
protection; as well as support inter- and intra-ministerial coordination for collaborative development planning ensuring protection of
coastal areas, as well as identify and research potential revenue streams for long term sustainability.
The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) through the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment; Ministry of Public Works and; Ministry of Finance, as
well as working with international and national NGOs and private enterprise as the issues of coastal areas are complex and cross-
sectoral. It employs an integrated approach, while tailoring activities to address the specific needs, challenges and priorities of the
Government of Timor Leste.
As mangroves are vital natural defence to the impacts of climate change, extensive mangrove protection and restoration will be
supported while addressing community pressures (i.e. felling for fuelwood) and introduce alternative mangrove-supportive
livelihoods, as well as improve public awareness about the important role of coastal ecosystems in shoreline protection and climate
change adaptation and mitigation.
Since Timor-Leste’s landscape is generally steep, therefore, where relevant, the project looks at upland SLM activities to reduce
impacts of sedimentation, increased runoff and flash floods, and availability of groundwater of the coastal areas.
Mangroves and coastal wetlands are highly vulnerable to the projected impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR).
An estimated 80% of mangroves have been lost in Timor Leste, since 1940 (Boggs et al. 2009, Alongi 2014), due to a combination
of both, climate related risks (i.e. sea level rise, increased storm events) and also, non-climate related anthropogenic impacts (i.e.
demand for fuel wood, building materials, salt production, rice production, uncontrolled grazing). While the relative contribution of
these causal, climate and non-climate factors is unknown, anecdotal evidence (i.e. the lack of natural regeneration in many areas),
suggest SLR has had major impacts, particularly on the north coast. The loss of mangrove forests has resulted in greater exposure
to sea surges, inundation, erosion and accretion processes.
These pressures from upland areas, coupled with the rapidly rising sea level, are putting coastal communities (and the ecosystems
11 Oct 2017 Page 2 of 7 and resources upon which they depend), particularly at risk. Over the past two decades, mangroves, which serve as a natural defence to the sea, have been severely degraded – leaving the country’s shoreline and coastal communities vulnerable to coastal
inundation, erosion, salt water intrusion, and impacts of sea-borne natural hazards (e.g. waves, storm surges, and in extreme
cases, small scale tsunamis).
The major non-climate impacts on mangroves include large-scale, land clearance and conversion for rice farming and traditional salt
production, and also, their use as fuelwood, for cooking and household income. Mangroves are also illegally cut for house
construction, boatbuilding, and also, for fuel wood to support traditional salt-making livelihood activities.
With high levels of food insecurity, limited cash income and limited knowledge of climate risks, the coastal protection benefits of
mangroves, and broader ecosystem goods and services (EGS) benefits of mangroves, there are currently very limited incentives for
coastal communities in Timor Leste to protect and conserve mangroves. Further, restoration projects to-date have been short-term
– too short for community learnings to take place, and for mangroves to have time to regenerate, before the project stopped paying
and the community stopped protecting.
Communities are currently not guided or provided with sufficient incentives to become stewards of natural resources, ecosystems or
the essential services that grant coastal protection and livelihood sustainability. There are sporadic interventions by the government
to improve the situation in mangrove areas, like in Ulmera village where mangrove rehabilitation and replanting have been piloted to
cover 3km2 mangrove area. But rarely are mangrove rehabilitation and livelihood development linked to achieve sustainable results.
Employment and income generation potential associated with mangrove rehabilitation, protection and sustainable management has
not been exploited as part of the local, suco (smallest administrative area) level development plans, investments or public and
private partnership initiatives.
There is limited knowledge about the win-win solutions, whereby protection of natural assets such as mangroves can effectively
protect and sustain physical and economic assets against climate change induced hazards and at the same time deliver on social
and economic benefits.
This project will systematically strengthen the synergistic relationship between coastal communities and mangroves ecosystems and
ensure that coastal communities in Timor Leste have economic incentives to maintain and safeguard these protective natural
systems, without compromising their livelihood options. This will be achieved through community-led adaptation interventions, that
include mangrove re-afforestation, conservation and livelihood diversification options (such as agroforestry, fish ponds, intensive
gardening, fruit trees, developed through integrated community-based land use models and adaptation plans (such as the Forest-
Fish-Fruit mound-ditch model, successfully implemented in Bangladesh.
In line with this, UNDP would like to invite experienced international UNV/ Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystem Conservation
Specialist to lead the design and implementation of integrated community based mangrove/ coastal ecosystem restoration and
highland SLM activities.
Sustainable Development Goals 13. Climate Action
UNV Focus Area Securing access to basic social services
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Chief Technical Advisor/Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
The key role of the Mangrove Specialist is to lead the implementation of Community based Ecological CBEMR and SLM
activities and synergy with livelihood improvement activities in all target Municipalities
Conduct mangroves and coastal wetland inventory and assess the biophysical and ecological conditions of mangroves
ecosystem and update the existing report and findings
Base on the findings develop work plan and implement community based mangrove conservation and restoration and
upstream SLM activities in all target Districts
Conduct consultations with government and communities to inform (i) ecological selection of appropriate local varieties,
considering their reproduction and growth specificities; (ii) hydrology types that may necessitate mangrove zonation; (iii)
potential disturbance factors, including anticipated increased storminess that may require the plantation of mature species
and establishment of nurseries for replacement, etc.
Develop training materials and deliver training to project team, relevant government experts, partner NGOs and CBOs and
communities on coastal ecosystem restoration and mapping, CBEMR and SLM practices
11 Oct 2017 Page 3 of 7 Sensitize the communities on the value of mangrove areas and linkage between land use, groundwater quality/availability, and coastal areas management. And also convene periodic meetings of a Local Consultative Body (LCB) in support of the
target mangrove rehabilitation and livelihoods enhancement activities.
The key responsibilities and scope of works:
Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor/Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for:
1. Manage and lead the community based ecological Mangroves conservation activities in all project target sites through
providing hands on technical guidance and support to the government experts, project team, NGOs, CBOs and the
community
2. Sensitize the communities on the value of mangroves and linkage between land use, groundwater quality/availability, and
coastal areas management
3. Conduct periodic survey on the status of mangroves and coastal ecosystem, update mangroves species, survival and
restoration status and develop national database for Mangroves of Timor Leste
4. Develop training materials and deliver training to project team, relevant government experts, partner NGOs and CBOs and
communities on coastal ecosystem restoration and mapping, CBEMR and SLM practices
5. Base on the findings from the field survey facilitate the preparation of work plan and implementation of integrated community
livelihoods enhancement, community based mangrove conservation and restoration and upstream SLM activities in all target
Municipalities
6. Develop simple hand book on mangroves species, location, characteristics, restoration mechanisms, etc. for Timor Leste
7. Jointly with Field Coordinators and local experts select feasible sustainable land management (SLM) activities and synergy
with livelihood improvement activities in all target Municipalities
8. Pro-actively engage with government experts, project team, NGOs, CBOs and the community and relevant stakeholders and
development partners on scale up of best practices, identifying bottleneck of mangroves restoration and design appropriate
joint solution
9. Prepare periodic report and progress update and document best practices, case stories and learning issues from the field.
10. Work closely with CTA and the project team to establish community of mangrove conservation in Timor Leste
11. Other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerismby
reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNVactivities (for instance in events that mark International
Volunteer Day)- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms ofvolunteerism in the host country- Reflect on the type
and quality of voluntary action that they areundertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities- Contribute
articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNVpublications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with
the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering,
orencourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV OnlineVolunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/Expected Outputs
Lead the implementation of Community based Ecological CBEMR and SLM activities
Conducted mangroves and coastal wetland inventory and assess the biophysical and ecological conditions of mangroves
ecosystem and update the existing report and findings
Developed work plan and implemented community based mangrove conservation and restoration and upstream SLM
activities in all target Districts
Conducted consultations with government and communities
Developed training materials and delivered training to project team, relevant government experts, partner NGOs and CBOs
and communities
Sensitized the communities on the value of mangrove areas and linkage between land use, groundwater quality/availability,
and coastal areas management. And also convened periodic meetings of a Local Consultative Body (LCB) in support of the
target mangrove rehabilitation and livelihoods enhancement activities.
Managed and lead the community based ecological Mangroves conservation activities in all project target sites through
providing hands on technical guidance and support to the government experts, project team, NGOs, CBOs and the
community.
Sensitized the communities on the value of mangroves and linkage between land use, groundwater quality/availability, and
coastal areas management.
Conducted periodic survey on the status of mangroves and coastal ecosystem.
11 Oct 2017 Page 4 of 7 Developed simple hand book on mangroves species, location, characteristics, restoration mechanisms, etc. for Timor Leste Jointly with Field Coordinators and local experts selected feasible sustainable land management (SLM) activities and synergy
with livelihood improvement activities in all target Municipalities
Pro-actively engaged with government experts, project team, NGOs, CBOs and the community and relevant stakeholders and
development partners on scale up of best practices, identifying bottleneck of mangroves restoration and design appropriate
joint solutions.
Prepared periodic report and progress update and document best practices, case stories and learning issues from the field.
Worked closely with CTA and the project team to establish community of mangrove conservation.
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including
supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity
(AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final
statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development dur-ing the assignment, such as reporting on the
number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
Qualifications/Requirements
Required Degree Level Master degree or equivalent
Education - Additional Comments
Advanced/ MSc. /PhD Degree in Marine Ecology, Coastal Ecosystem Management, Wetland Management, Natural Resources
Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, or in any disciplines relevant to Mangrove/Coastal Ecosystem Restoration, Coastal
Adaptation and Shoreline Management.
Years of Required Work Experience 84 months
Experience Description
Minimum Seven years of professional level experience to the stated role and responsibilities including community based ecological
mangrove rehabilitation/restoration, watershed management, forestry, coastal ecosystem conservation, natural resources
management preferably within the UN or international Organization
Language Skills
ENG (Mandatory) , Level - Working Knowledge
And One of these - POR (Optional) , Level - Working Knowledge
DoA Expertise
Agriculture and horticulture Mandatory
Agricultural economics Optional
Other agriculture related experience Optional
Additional Requirements for Area of Expertise
Essential: Extensive practical experience in Mangroves conservation, coastal ecosystem management, coastal wetlands
conservation, watershed and SLM activities as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions
Practical Expertise in mapping, designing survey tools and conducting field surveys and other data collection instruments and
database management
Demonstrated skills in field survey, ecosystem inventory, evaluation of coastal ecosystem services/values, etc.
Desirable: Demonstrated strong interpersonal and motivational skills and sensitivity to the local environment as well as the
ability to work with minimal supervision and proven ability to accomplish and present work with a high degree of accuracy and
technical quality, in relatively short time;
11 Oct 2017 Page 5 of 7 Ability to communicated effectively orally and in writing, in order to communicate complex, technical information to both technical and general audiences, including strong policy advice skills; and
Need Driving Licence No
Conditions of Service and other information
Condition of Service Click here to view Conditions of Service
Conditions of Service for International Specialist:
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and
satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family
Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).
The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and
other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,587. The
VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis
according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty
stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is
published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website http://icsc.un.org.
For example, kindly enter the link Calculator
In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a
Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the
duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty
station.
UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security
framework (including residential security reimbursements).
UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final
repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.
11 Oct 2017 Page 6 of 7 UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.
Application Code TLSR000042-2270
Application procedure
* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?
Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account,
complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and
click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.
* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?
Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at
https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you
would like to apply.
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Application deadline: 22 October 2017.
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We
arecommitted to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
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