VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Title:
Organization:
Project:
Duty Station:
Type of Contract:
Duration:
Closing date:
Start Date:
Vacancy #:
International Ecosystem Management Specialist (IEMS)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Least Developed Countries Fund: “Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience
to Climate Change in Afghanistan”
Kabul, Afghanistan
Part-time over one year
Up to 80 days (up to 60 days in country)
15 November 2013
as soon as possible
UNEP-2013-012
1. General Background of Project / Assignment:
Afghanistan is vulnerable to climate change, particularly extreme weather events, including floods
and droughts, which adversely affect natural ecosystems, agriculture and community livelihoods.
Unfortunately, governing structures – including community councils, district units, research
institutions and government agencies – currently have limited capacity to plan for, overcome and
withstand the current as well as anticipated climate change-related threats. Accordingly – and in line
with Afghanistan’s National Adaptation Plan of Action process – the Least Developed Countries Fund
(LDCF) is implementing the project “Building adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in
Afghanistan”. This project will increase the climate resilience of vulnerable communities and build
capacity of governing structures to address climate change impacts. It consists of four main
components:
Component 1: Climate change risk assessment, monitoring and forecasting information.
Component 2: Climate change adaptation and response strategies.
Component 3: Practices for water resources and watershed management piloted and tested in selected
project sites.
Component 4: Adaptive learning and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.
The project budget is 5,390,000 USD and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) of
Afghanistan is executing project activities, with support from UNEP Post Conflict and Disaster
Management Branch (PCDMB), in close cooperation with other stakeholders.
2. Summary of Key Functions:
An International Ecosystem Management Specialist (IEMS) will be recruited to ensure that vegetation
is restored and other interventions in Component 3 are implemented to maximise the provision of
ecosystem goods and services such as flood protection. This will require knowledge of ecosystem
functioning and management, restoration best practice and appropriate methods to restore degraded
ecosystems to provide goods and services to local communities. The IEMS will also provide technical
guidance to the National Ecosystem Management Specialist (NEMS).
The IEMS will be recruited based on an open and competitive process. This international consultant
will provide input into the implementation of interventions and will be expected to: i) assess the value
of species in providing ecosystem services; ii) provide technical expertise in ecosystem restoration
and management; iii) assist in identifying appropriate plant species and methods for restoration; and
iv) assist in planning for implementing restoration and other watershed management interventions.
He/she will: i) report to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and Senior Advisor (SA); and ii)
collaborate with the National Ecosystem Management Specialist (NEMS), Climate Adaptation
Specialist (CAS) and other relevant consultants.
3. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
a) Key Responsibilities:
General project activities
 Become familiar with Component 3 of the project document including the relevant indicators and
targets in the Results Framework.
 Review restoration indicators stipulated in the Results Framework in the Project Document and
recommend new indicators if necessary.
 Develop guidelines for the NEMS to monitor restoration work.
 Provide guidance to the NEMS throughout the year.
 Review reports from the NEMS.
 Keep in regular contact with the NPC, Climate Adaptation Specialist (CAS) and other consultants
relevant to particular tasks.
 Submit draft reports to CAS and SA in advance of submitting reports to the NPC.
 Request information from the NEMS before arrival in Afghanistan.
 Collect scientifically rigorous data for Monitoring and Evaluation and publication in peerreviewed publications.
 Meet with and obtain relevant information from relevant experts familiar with potential species for
implementation and the utility of these species.
 Meet with and obtain relevant information from relevant stakeholders important for successful
implementation of restoration including sub-contractors.
Supporting activities
 Identify the ecosystem management challenges, risks and potential problems associated with the
implementation of activities in Component 3.
 Record any lessons learned during project implementation.
 Review tools, supporting documents and protocols for training in Integrated Watershed
Management (IWM) at a local level in Bamyan and Daykundi.
 Review community conservation plans for the Koh-e-baba mountain sites in Bamyan Province.
 Provide technical advice to subcontractors implementing project interventions.
Implementation of ecosystem restoration activities
 Become familiar with ecosystems at implementation sites in Balkh, Badhakshan, Bamyan and
Daykundi Provinces through research, consultations with key informants and field visits.
 Ensure that restoration activities are planned in conjunction with plans for irrigation technologies.
 Provide expertise in assessing the value of drought-resilient crops, water harvesting practices and
dryland agriculture techniques at pilot sites in Balkh Province.
 Assess drought-resilient crops and watershed management practices for their potential to enhance
the provision of ecosystem goods and services to communities.
 Assess the value of indigenous multi-use plants for enhancing watershed functioning and flood
protection by inter alia: i) improving soil stability; and ii) increasing water filtration.
 Review and revise protocols produced by NEMS to restore 200 ha of degraded slopes at pilot sites
in Badakhshan Province. Protocols need to include inter alia: i) planting schedule; ii) planting
methodology; and iii) watering schedule.
 Provide technical assistance in identification of plants for restoration at pilot sites in Badakhshan
Province. Plants must: i) be locally available; ii) improve soil stability and water filtration; and iii)
have benefits to local communities for household consumption and market sale (e.g. fruit, nuts,
fodder, firewood, medicinal).
 Review and revise protocols produced by NEMS for the restoration of degraded wetlands,
floodplains and flood-prone peri-urban areas at pilot sites in Daykundi Province. Protocols need to
include inter alia: i) planting schedule; ii) planting methodology; and iii) watering schedule.
 Provide technical assistance in identification of suitable indigenous or locally adapted plant species
to restore/re-vegetate degraded wetlands, floodplains and flood-prone peri-urban areas at pilot sites
in Daykundi Province.
 Review local community nursery implementation and management plans to grow the identified
plants at pilot sites in Badakhshan Province.
 Work with the NEMS and M&E expert to develop monitoring protocols for restored ecosystems
watershed management interventions, including monitoring methods and clear indicators of
restored ecosystem health. These should align with the indicators in the Results Framework of the
project.
b) Duration and Time Commitment:
The consultant will be contracted to work up to 80 days in the first year of the project.
c) Travel:
At least one trip will be made to Afghanistan. UNEP will assist with visas, travel authorization
clearance, security training, and planning and make all local arrangements for the consultant. UNEP
will enforce strict guidance and support on travel, accommodation, and in country movement for the
consultant.
4. Expected deliverables:
 A workplan detailing: i) tasks; ii) timeframes; and iii) outputs.
 A guideline document for the NEMS.
 Reports on the benefit of proposed plant species for restoration at pilot sites in Daykundi and
Badakhshan Provinces.
 A report on the restoration interventions for Daykundi, Balkh and Badakhshan Provinces to
increase the resilience of these communities to climate change including: i) potential plant species
for restoration interventions; ii) protocols for effective interventions; and iii) recommendations for
effective nursery establishment and management.
 Meeting reports including: i) meeting type; ii) date; iii) venue; iv) number of participants; v) list of
attendees; vi) convener; vii) organizer; viii) language; ix) meeting outputs; and x) action points and
responsible parties.
 Progress reports including: i) the status of activities; ii) lessons learned; iii) problems encountered
and how they were overcome; iii) expected date of completion of activities; and iv) risks to project
implementation and how risks are being managed.
 A scientifically rigorous data collection plan.
 A guidance document for the NEMS.
5. Qualifications and Experience
a) Education:
 An advanced post-graduate degree at or above MSc level in subjects related to ecosystem
management, natural resource management, water resource management, environmental
management, restoration ecology, watershed management or a related discipline.
b) Experience:
 A minimum of 5 years of experience in this field;
 Experience in climate change adaptation, watershed management and capacity building;
 Experience working in Afghanistan is an asset;
 Experience working with rural communities, and using participatory techniques; and
 Experience in ecological restoration and the use of ecosystem based approaches to
improve water availability and stabalise soil;
c) Competencies:
 Knowledge of Afghanistan flora and the utility of different indigenous plant species is an
asset;
 An understanding of ecosystem management approaches to climate change and their
application;
 Knowledge of restoration techniques and their application, with particular reference to
improving water availability and flow under climate change conditions;
 An ability to work independently and deliver outputs effectively.
d) Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Excellent English writing skills are required. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto
(Afghanistan’s national languages) is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language
is an advantage.
6. Submission Guidelines
International experts meeting the essential requirements of the position are invited to apply for this
position by submitting the following two documents only:
 letter of interest with clearly indicated VA number (i.e. UNEP-2013-xxx); and
 updated and signed UN Personal History Form P.11 (available at
http://www.unops.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/HR%20docs/P11%20form.doc)
Electronic applications with the subject “VA#UNEP-2013-012” to be submitted to:
administration.kabul@unep.org
Additional Considerations:
 Failure to comply with the above requirements (e.g. no indication of the VA number) will
disqualify the application.
 Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
 Only short-listed candidates will be notified or contacted.
 Qualified and experienced female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in
any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the
United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE
RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR
TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION
ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.