Implementation support consultant for the MAHFSA program

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) envisions a more equitable world where forestry and landscapes enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR is a non-profit, scientific institution that conducts research on the most pressing challenges of forest and landscape management around the world. Using a global, multidisciplinary approach, we aim to improve human well-being, protect the environment, and increase equity. To do so, we conduct innovative research, develop partners’ capacity, and actively engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to inform policies and practices that affect forests and people. CIFOR is a CGIAR Research Center, and leads the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, with offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Lima, Peru; and Bonn, Germany.

Overview

The Measurable Action for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management in Southeast Asia (MAHFSA) program is co-developed by a consortium of the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), and the Global Environment Centre (GEC) with financial and programmatic support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and in close consultation with ASEAN Member States (AMS). MAHFSA aims to create a flexible regional coordination platform for engaging all relevant actors, building capacity, harmonizing programs and projects, and facilitating multiple sources of finance for promoting haze-free farming and sustainable management of peatlands. The Program is advancing the haze-free agenda based on systematic data collection, management, and analysis. The Program is developing knowledge products to guide decision making by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and ASEAN Heads of State Summit on issues of land-use policy, regulation, enforcement, incentive frameworks, and resource allocation to haze hotspots at local, country and regional levels. The anticipated outcome is a reduction in forest conversion and land clearance using fire, and adoption of haze-free farming systems by both smallholders and large plantations.

MAHFSA is expected to support AMS to achieve the Objectives of the APMS, the Key Targets of the APSMPE, and to support the implementation of the ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap. The Program is also building capacity and strengthening the work of the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Co-ordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC).

Implementation of the MAHFSA program comprises several activities, from generating knowledge products, developing and implementing communication and engagement strategies, and developing and implementing an investment framework. MAHFSA also covers several countries affected by the haze. Given these challenges, a consultant is required to support the CIFOR team in implementing the MAHFSA program.

Objectives of the assignment
As part of MAHFSA program implementation, the assignment will focus on:
1. Supporting internal management of the MAHFSA program at CIFOR; and
2. Supporting implementation of program activities (knowledge generation, communication, stakeholder engagement) as required.

Duties and responsibilities

• Policies on peatland management, fire and haze pollution. Stocktaking will examine the prioritization of issues, which issues have been adequately addressed by policies, the implementation modalities of those policies, availability and adequacy of knowledge products, constraints encountered, and areas that still require attention.
• Land tenure, land use and land-use changes in peatland ecosystems. Stocktaking will analyze patterns of access and rights in peatland areas, and land clearing drivers and actors. 
• Communities, economics and livelihoods in peatlands ecosystems. Stocktaking will analyze prevalent income sources of peatland households/communities, trends over time (decades) and the main drivers of those changes, as well as potential options for enhancing community livelihoods in peatlands.
• Best practices of sustainable peatland ecosystem management. An examination of the approaches and technologies related to sustainable peatland management, such as water management/canal blocking, fire response, farming systems, reforestation and smallholder business models will be undertaken.
• Knowledge products related to the monitoring of: the extent of peatlands in AMS; extent of peatlands affected by fire; areas of peatland managed through zero-burning techniques; frequency of hotspots in peatland areas; number of regulations or incentives  for haze-free and zero burning practices; application of best management practices for sustainable land and forest management; land degradation and socio-economic impacts; and extent of peatland restoration. The monitoring period covered is the past 25 years.

• searching for and collecting fire and peatland management information and documentation from all sources (electronic and hard copy);
• collating, annotating and storing the information and documentation; and
• analyzing gaps in information in the collected documentation.

Education, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in forestry, agriculture, environmental science, or political science with 3 years of work experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of work experience directly related to the subject areas;
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in conducting information collection and research related to peatland management, fire and haze issues, natural resources management and conservation, and public regulations and policy. Familiarity with these subjects in ASEAN and its member states (AMS) is highly desirable;
• High proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) is required;
• Experience in project implementation and reporting;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Experience in using MS Office, particularly Word, Excel database/Access database, and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Be self-motivated, outgoing and welcoming of the opportunity to work with significant autonomy;
• Be a team player, and have excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Terms and Conditions

• This is a part-time consultancy position.
• CIFOR offers competitive remuneration, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The assignment is for 8 months.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR HQ in Bogor, Indonesia.

To apply, please visit our career site at:
https://www.cifor.org/careers

To learn more about CIFOR, please visit our website at:
https://www.cifor.org

CIFOR is an equal opportunity employer. Staff diversity contributes to excellence.

Application process