International Consultant to support implementation of PNG’s National REDD+ Communications Strategy

Background

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) has been one of the fastest growing economies globally this century with average growth rates above 6%[1]. This rapid growth has been driven primarily by the expansion of foreign investment within the natural gas sector and high prices for PNG’s central exports many of which are transported to rapidly growing Asian economies. This growth has built on a long history of natural resources being at the centre of the PNG economy with exports and employment dominated by mining, natural gas, natural forest logging and agriculture. While this rapid growth has delivered significant changes in PNG’s main urban areas and those communities benefiting directly from foreign investment, the country still faces significant challenges in meeting the objectives of Vision 2050 and in providing development opportunities for all while also maintaining its natural environment.

Over 85% of the nation’s 7.3m population are based in rural areas and rely primarily on subsistence agriculture for survival and have limited access to health centres, education or broader development opportunities. Falling commodity prices since 2012 have also left the country facing significant economic challenges despite ongoing growth.

PNG has a significant area of intact tropical forest covering 77.8% of the country’s 46.9m ha of land. Together with the forest of West Papua (Island of New Guinea) they represent one of the largest areas of intact tropical forest in the world. These forests are critical to the livelihoods and economy of the country and a commercial logging industry has for a long period been a central part of the economy.  

Despite the seriousness of the threats facing the forests, the country has significant potential to reduce its forest loss rate, and enhance and sustainably manage its forest carbon stocks through the implementation of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)[2].

With support from a project under the Work Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the country has developed National REDD+ Strategy (NRS) for 2017-2027 which was endorsed by the Government of PNG in May 2017. The NRS was developed through a process of structured consultation and awareness raising with key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society and the private sector. It builds on the experiences of early REDD+ readiness activities in PNG, including the development of pilot activities, and the ongoing assessment and analysis work including reviews of forest sector financing, commercial agricultural development, stakeholder engagement processes and land use mapping.

While one of the safeguards for REDD+ included in the Cancun Agreements is the full and effective participation of all stakeholders, it is important to understand that a full and effective participation can only be ensured if stakeholders are effectively and accurately informed about REDD+. Thus, communications and knowledge sharing and communicating about REDD+, especially at the beginning of its programme Readiness implementation, are critical to ensure respect for this safeguard.

Experiences in other countries have demonstrated that where awareness raising is left to the initiative of individual partners, messages provided to stakeholders on REDD+ may be unclear, confusing or conflicting. Furthermore, since high quality communications and awareness raising activities and events are important to take into account in communicating REDD+ with the right messages through the right tools to the right target groups.

To support implementation of PNG’s NRS, the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) as a leading government agency on climate change in close consultation with core government communications working group has developed a National REDD+ Communications and Knowledge Management Strategy. However, due to limited capacity within CCDA and FCPF REDD+ teams, there is a need to support implementation of this strategy, including provision of capacity building workshops for local mass media how to deliver climate change related messages.

[1] World Bank Data. Available at http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=PG

[2] http://redd.unfccc.int/

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FCPF Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the Consultant will be responsible for providing capacity building support in the implementation of a National REDD+ Communications and Knowledge Management Strategy.

Key elements of the assessment will include:

1. Development of a national public awareness-raising plan on REDD+ in PNG. This includes review of REDD+ Communications and Knowledge Management strategy through provision of support to FCPF Communications Officer and facilitation of a core communications group on the development of public awareness plan during the first inception mission;
2. Undertake a two-day capacity building training for local mass-media on “How to Deliver Climate Change related messages to the public” by using modern communications methods (Social Media, IT Software, etc.);
3. Provide support to FCPF REDD+ and CCDA Communications Officers on the development of articles and press-releases as well as posters and infographics;
4. Provide support on the development of REDD+ website content, including development of a toolkit for respective government agencies how to maintain the website;
5. Initiate and coordinate a regional knowledge sharing and communications event on REDD+ progress;
6. In close collaboration with the FCPF and CCDA Communications Officers, develop knowledge products for PNG on its REDD+ readiness phase. This includes summary of capacity building events, knowledge management workshops, study-tours, etc.
7. Support the development of a plan for communication of significant developments to international stakeholders through such means as production of videos and briefing notes, design of side events at major international events such as the UNFCCC COP, etc.

For additional information and supporting documents, please follow a link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=45453

Competencies

• Experience working with UN agencies, national and international governmental and diverse of stakeholder groups, and proven experience in strategically managing communications activities and capturing knowledge and sharing;
• Experience with forests, climate change, natural resources, and environment related issues;
• Experience working on REDD+ and working in an international environment is an advantage
• Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities and excellent oral communication skills; and

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent in relevant areas, including Communications, Media Management, Journalism or closely related field

Work experience

• A minimum 7 years of relevant experience in communications, knowledge management, coordination, and outreach using both traditional and social media tools;
• Experience working with UN agencies, national and international governmental and diverse of stakeholder groups, and proven experience in strategically managing communications activities and capturing knowledge and sharing;
• Experience with forests, climate change, natural resources, and environment related issues;
• Experience working on REDD+ and working in an international environment is an advantage
• Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities and excellent oral communication skills; and
• Experience of PNG and the Pacific is an advantage.

Language requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English