Project Specialist- National Land Use Expert (NPSA11)

The GEF-FOLUR Project

The project, Establishing Systems for Sustainable Integrated Land-use Planning across New-Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, funded by GEF-FOLUR, in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) will focus activities on the landscape of New Britain Island. At 3,330,890 ha, the island ranges from dense lowland plains to a central mountainous spine with peaks of over 2,000 m. With high levels of forest cover the island represents an area of high value biodiversity but is also at threat from rapid forest loss due to agricultural conversion with over 450,000 ha under permits for forest clearance. This pressure is driven by PNG’s socio-economic status, which includes a desire for economic development and income, rapid population growth and the high importance of agriculture in PNG’s economy, particularly palm oil and cocoa. These impacts are exacerbated within the agricultural sector due to knowledge gaps in sustainable production, prevalence of unsustainable practices, unresponsive supply chains and limited access to finance. 

In addressing these barriers, the project will help to deliver: 50,000 ha of land restored, 2,712,364 ha of landscapes under improved practices (excluding protected areas), 32.3 million metric tons CO2e of direct post-project. The project will also deliver direct economic and/or non-economic benefits to 66,647 individuals (28,838 females and 37,809 males). These results will be achieved through the following four interrelated components:

• Component 1: Development of integrated landscape management systems
• Component 2: Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains to reduce land stress and avert degradation and deforestation
• Component 3: Conservation and restoration of natural habitats
• Component 4: Knowledge management and impact monitoring

Based in Project Management Unit the National Land Use Expert (NLUE) will coordinate and lead action on the development of approaches to land use and development planning and will play a central role in bringing different sector agencies together, strengthening links between subnational and national action and ensuring that technical work contracted through the project is fully integrated with government plans and systems. The expert will be directly responsible for actions under Outcome 1 and will work closely with the Provincial Land Use Experts in implementation of sub-national engagement, training and land use planning activities.

Working closely with the National Technical and Safeguards Officer / Project Manager (NTSO/PM) and the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the NLUE will play a key role in maintaining government relations, particularly with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP), as well as supporting the integration of technical inputs under Components 2-4 within work under Outcome 1. 

The NLUE will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and play a key role in supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea through its Department of Lands and Physical Planning to ensure the success and sustainability of the Project’s long-term objectives, particularly under Component 1 of the Project.

The NLUE will coordinate Component 1 activities under the functional leadership of the NTSO/PM within the Project Team.

The NLUE will be working closely with provincial counterparts, civil society, private sector (and an eventual successor programs/projects) in planning and coordinating the interventions of the key actors involved in the implementation.

The NLUE will be based in Port Moresby with regular travel to the Project sites in West and East New Britain Island.

• Coordinate work on land use and development planning in close coordination and cooperation with Government Partners at the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.
• Support the establishment and operationalization of the NSLUP implementation committee and any sub-working groups.
• Develop awareness raising materials and convene events on NSLUP to increase awareness and support adoption across government.
• Support action on the review of existing legislations to identify how to coordinate sector-based approaches to land use planning and how to integrate with subnational planning process and how these can be financed.
• Support action to review the existing land use planning approaches through government / NGOs / PS / Communities and challenges/ opportunities to foster integration within government’s recognized land use planning processes including identification of key zoning categories and their implications.
• Support the development of strategic planning for the implementation of the National Sustainable Land Use Planning Policy for ward, LLG, district, provincial and sustainable land use planning and its financing. This will be done in close collaboration with an International Land Use Expert Consultant and Service Provider Firm(s) procured by the Project Team.
• Ensure close coordination and advocacy with the relevant government agencies to ensure the endorsement and adoption of these guidance and regulations. Support consultation on and development of a national land use planning information management system.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates “win-win” situations.

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership management

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

General (across the functions)

• Public relations: Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's Degree in political or social sciences, geography or land-use planning, law, public policy, economics, agribusiness or other related fields

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, including at least 3 years’ experience in green commodities, agriculture, or palm oil and/or cocoa sectors.
• Strong network and demonstrated ability to work closely with government officials, civil society and corporate sector.
• Demonstable expertise working with land-use planning, management and governance issues.
• Demonstable technical knowledge of PNG Government policies and procedures with land-use planning, management and governnance issues.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports for an International audience.
• Experience working with Government counterparts as well as representatives from development agencies.
• Experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably with professional experience implementing projects with components of facilitating inter-sectoral and sectoral coordination.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in spoken and written Tok Pisin and English.

Note: This position is open for Papua New Guinea nationals only.