Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone
UNDP/GEF Project No: PIMS 2278
Design Management System, Institutional and policy framework National Consultant
I.
Background
The Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Project (the Project) is an initiative of the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Iran, national Department of Environment and four Provincial Governments; and is co-financed by the Global Environment
Facility and supported by the United Nations Development Program. The purpose of the Project is to pilot and establish a
innovative conservation management system across the Central Zagros Mountains region, to protect the special nature,
culture and landscape of the region and to manage human activities and uses of the area’s natural resources so that they are
ecologically sustainable.
The Project management will recruit a national consultant in 2014 to advise and assist with the design of the proposed
conservation management system – institutional arrangements, policy and legal framework, financing mechanisms – and with
planning an effective strategy for the establishment of the full-scale system, including a program of capacity development at
national, Provincial and local levels.
This is a key position in the National Consultants Team, providing primary expertise on design management system,
institutional arrangements, financing mechanisms and policy framework in support of the establishment and operation of the
Central Zagros Mountains management areas.
II.
Statement of Services
Main task of consultant:
To develop a comprehensive design for the management system for a Central Zagros Mountains Conservation Area 1 and a
strategy for establishing and developing the conservation management system.
The following specific services will be provided by this consultancy:
1. CZM2 Conservation Area Establishment Task Force
Assist Project management to write ToR for and establish an effective Task Force (January); and to conduct three
quarterly Task Force meetings (February to September) to review the baseline analysis and to develop the draft system
design and strategy
2. Analysis of existing land, water and biodiversity management arrangements (baseline)
Write a synposis (succinct analysis) of the existing (current and recent history) arrangements for planning, management
and financing of land-use and natural resources use and development in the Central Zagros Mountains region of Iran.
Consider institutional arrangements at national, provincial, county, district and village levels for each “resource sector”,
and report on how land-use, water extraction, fisheries and fish-farming, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, grazing (and
any other uses) are planned and managed; on how pollution and other environmental impacts are controlled; and on the
protection and sustainable use of biodiversity, Report on how multiple uses of the same resources are managed, how
conflicts between uses/ sectors are resolved, and on the use made of consultation and participatory approaches (intraand inter-departmental; public; CBO3s and NGO4s; private sector).
Identify feasible options for a new conservation management system (institutional arrangements, financing, policy and
legal framework) to be developed, which will provide for the following requirements: a) integrated management of
multiple resource sectors; b) protection of natural and cultural values, landscape and biodiversity at all levels; c)
consultation, participation and collaborative management. Give consideration to and make reference to other relevant
management systems in place, in Iran and in other countries, which provide for some or all of these requirements.
3. Prepare a draft range of feasible design options for a new management system for a Central Zagros Mountains
Conservation Area, identifying the main institutional, financial, policy and legal changes that would be required. Assist
the Zagros Project management team and CZMCA5 Task Force to consider the pros and cons of different designs and
decide on a preferred design option for discussion with stakeholders.
4. Assist the Zagros Project management team and Task Force members as required, to plan and organise a program of
consultations with key stakeholders (all levels and sectors) on the preferred management system arrangements being
The term “Conservation Area” is being used as the interim title for the CZM conservation system. The system design will include consideration of alternative
names for the area, and identification of the preferred option(s) in the final proposal.
2
CZM: Central Zagros Mountains
3
CBO: Community Based Organization
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NGO: None Governmental Organization
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CZMCA: Central Zagros Mountains Conservation Area
1
Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone
UNDP/GEF Project No: PIMS 2278
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III.
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IV.
considered. Prepare an analytical report on the results of the consultations. Use the consultations and feedback to
further develop the design of the management system.
Draft a succinct proposal for the introduction, establishment and development of a management system for Central
Zagros Mountains Conservation Area, including a strategy for scaling-up from the current pilot management areas,
establishing the new arrangements, and for developing the capacities of the permanent offices and office holders
responsible for operating the new system.
Assist the Zagros Project management team, using the Task Force as required, to submit, justify and gain approvals for
the proposed management system; and subsequently to launch the management system.
Assist the Zagros Project management team to organise capacity development for the main stakeholders involved in the
new management system and Conservation Area.
Deliverables and Verifiable Indicators
ToR for Task Force and process
Synopsis of existing arrangements
Draft range of design options
Consultation plan
Draft Proposal and Strategy
Draft plan for submission and gaining approvals
Capacity development plan
Schedule
The above inputs will be delivered as specified in the project’s approved Zagros Project Annual Work plans.
Refer to the 2014 Action Plan 1.1.1 Design, submission and ratification of proposal for CZMCA management system institutional, legal and policy framework (drawing on lessons from Pilot Program Evaluation (3.1.5)
1- Establish task force (January) and conduct 3 quarterly meetings (February to September) to review baseline and develop
draft system design and strategy
2- Hire national consultant (January),
3- Task force to prepare report (May) on baseline and feasibility - institutions, management, administration, budgeting, policy
and laws
4- Draft outline framework for the system; for approval by project team (February),
5- Hold bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and gain endorsement of the concept and draft design (March – July),
6- Develop draft of system design and draft strategy for ZMCA management program scale-up (April – June) including
lessons from Pilot Program Evaluation
7- Endorsement of the system design and strategy by a) Project Board (September); and b) High Council of Environment
(October),
V.
Supervision, Review and Acceptance
The consultant will work closely with the DNPM6 and ITA7.
The consultant will report via the DNPM to the National Project Manager (NPM 8), who will supervise the Consultant’s work
and review and accept all services and deliverables.
VI.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Needs to have experience and skills in management, governance, policy development, legal drafting, institutional
strengthening, etc....
Qualifications
6
DNPM: Deputy of NPM
ITA: International Technical Advisor
8
NPM: National Project Manager
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Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone
UNDP/GEF Project No: PIMS 2278
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Master’s Degree in Land Use Planning, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management or related fields
Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences
Experience
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At least 15 year experience of integrated and participatory approaches to design management system, institutional
arrangements, financing mechanisms, policy framework, land use planning, watershed management, biodiversity
mainstreaming, protected area management, and/or community-based natural resource management
Demonstrated experience of participatory approaches to natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and
environmental management
Strong understanding of the biodiversity mainstreaming, ecosystem approach and ecosystem management principles
Strong understanding of policies and regulations pertaining to natural resource management, biodiversity conservation
and environmental management in Iran, especially at the provincial level
Previous experience with UNDP/Government of Islamic Republic of Iran’s projects in a similar position would be an
advantage
Essential Skills and Aptitude
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Fluency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email and internet applications
Fluency in Farsi and English (reading, writing, speaking)
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively in a small team and to interact
with stakeholders at different levels
Excellent technical report writing skills
Ability to think in terms of processes and apply an adaptive approach based on experiential learning
Ability to plan and organize work effectively and work with minimal supervision
Ability to extract, interpret and analyse data and resolve operational problems