November 26, 2018

The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) announces a vacancy for the position of Consultant

REC Caucasus is a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal person – an independent, not-for-profit organization with international character based in Tbilisi, Georgia. The mission of REC Caucasus is to assist the Caucasus states in solving environmental problems and support in building the civil society through promotion of public participation in the decision-making process, development of free exchange of information and encouragement of cooperation at national and regional level among NGOs, governments, businesses, local communities and all other stakeholders.

Overall objective of the project is to support integration of good Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) principles and practices into national policy and institutional framework to ensure adoption of economically viable practices by rural communities.

The project aims to implement the pilot projects on SLM practices in Dedoplistskaro, Akhmeta, Gardabani and Signagi municipalities. Applying crop rotation system at Shiraki valley, particularly in Dedoplistskaro Municipality is one of the pilot projects. For implementation of the pilot project, REC Caucasus announces vacancy for agronomist. The assignment  of agronomist is given in the attached file.

Other important details: Interested applicants should submit a current CV to the following e-mail address: vacancy@rec-caucasus.org with copy to Project manager: kety.tsereteli@rec-caucasus.org  or submit hard copy application package to the following address: 13, Badri Shoshitaishvli Street, David Arakishvili 1st Dead-end, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia

 

Deadline for application is 10 March, 2018. Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

TOR for the position is attached.

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Project Title Applying Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas
Donor: Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
Implementing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Executing Agency: Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus)
Post Title: Consultant for preparing and supervising the implementation of a pilot (micro) project proposal for development/ rehabilitation of 6 ha windbreak in Gardabani municipality
Starting Date: December 1, 2018
End Date: May 1,  2019
Duty Station: Tbilisi, Gardabani (Georgia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

 

Background

 

The lack of efficient land management policies, a weak regulatory framework, limited access to appropriate information and technology, a weak institutional capacities and a lack of cooperation between various stakeholders along with high rate of natural disasters are causing significant problems in land management sector and for overall ecosystem integrity.

 

Therefore, from the management point of view, one of the major problems Georgia is facing today is an absence of comprehensive and integrated approach in land management sector. In addition, an irrelevant legal framework sometimes is the source of additional “conflicts” with the evolved national strategic and policy packages.

 

Although Georgia has shown clear drive to combat land degradation and improve land management system by moving forward with the establishment of a strong baseline, this includes accession and implementation of most pertinent international agreements, adoption of several related policies and laws (NEAP, NAPCD, etc.)

 

The above mentioned factors underlines the importance of the review of the country’s existing policy and regulatory framework related to the management of land resources, that will serve as upmost important components to overcome existing barriers to mainstream L-SLM activities. National plans and policies do not reflect holistic land management principles and practices.

 

There is a failure of national and rural decision-making frameworks to provide adequate legal parameters and tools to support L-SLM. Current policies result in disparate organizations responsible for various land management sectors making unilateral decisions that lead to uncoordinated approaches. Consequently, “on the ground” management decisions made by responsible communities and resource users do not benefit from the guidance of coordinated, national strategies.

 

Capacity and information pathways do not exist to provide rural community members with examples of alternative, sustainable methods of resource use. Remote communities and resource users now responsible for many land management issues do not have satisfactory access to the information and tools necessary for informed decision-making. As a result, community land use plans and other decision-making tools intended to address land degradation fail to reflect L-SLM principles and practices.

 

The overall objective of the project is to support integration of good Landscape and Sustainable Land management (L-SLM) principles and practices into national policy and institutional framework to ensure adoption of economically viable practices by rural communities.

 

 

 

 

Rationale

The project is focused on Demonstrating benefits of introducing best L-SLM practices in the production  system, particularly by 6 pilot (micro) projects applying L-SLM for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in 3 rural municipalities of Georgia: Gardabani, Akhmeta and Dedoplistskaro.

 

This TOR has been developed to conduct consultancy service for elaboration of  the a pilot (micro) project to introduce L-SLM practices within in Gardabani(Kvemo Kartli Region) via rehabilitation of windbreaks on 6 ha of territory adjacent to the degraded arable land.

 

The desertification process is very intensively presented on the area of  32000,0 hectares of area in Gardabani region. The windbreak rehabilitation is the one of the goals of the Kvemo Kartli Regional Development plan 2014-2021.

 

Local  climate  conditions  are  a  key  constant  in management approaches, and have to be integrated into  the  planning  of  pilot (micro) projects  focusing  on windbreaks.  The  impacts  of  extreme  weather condition  have to be  assessed  and  relevant  mitigating  activities have to be considered in the pilot (micro) projects.

 

Farming is the primary economic activity and therefore farmers will have to play a central role in the implementation of the pilot (micro) project.

 

Pilot (micro) projects focused on agroforestry (windbreak management) with real social impacts have to ensure participation of more community members in agricultural markets, thus increasing household incomes. This will contribute to securing livelihoods and food security in the short term as well as increasing prosperity for the rural poor in the long-term. Revitalizing local institutions for range and resources management and governance will also increase social capital and enable empowerment of rural people.

 

Pilot (micro) project has to include appropriate information pathways to provide potential implementers (farmers, rural community  members)  with links/sources on examples of alternative,  sustainable  methods of resource  use.

 

B. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To  address the underlying  objective of the assignment , scope of work  shell include, but not limited  to:

 

  • Preparation of detailed windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan)s for selected sites (incl. site selection; selection of tree species for the selected sites and development of windbreak schemes for selected sites; preparation of budget breakdown for development and maintenance of windbreaks on each selected site).

 

  • Technical control on windbreak development and maintenance works (incl. quality control of field works, planting material and planting/maintenance equipment).

 

  • On-job consultations and provision of guidance for works to be conducted on ground in selected sites.

 

  • Final report on implementation of windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan for selected site.

 

The main deliverables will be as outlined below:

 

–          Windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan/s for selected site  in Gardabani Municipality.

 

–          Technical control documentation (delivery-acceptance acts) on windbreak development and maintenance works.

 

–          Final report on implementation of windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan/s for selected site.

 

 

C.  SPECIFIC TIME TABLE

 

The Consultant shall deliver the Specified Service in accordance with the following timetable (the “Specified Timetable”):

 

N Deliverable Date
Windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan/s for selected site  in Gardabani Municipality.

 

22 December 2018
Technical control documentation (delivery-acceptance acts) on windbreak development and maintenance works.

 

28 February 2019
Final report on implementation of windbreak management plan (windbreak establishment/rehabilitation and maintenance plan/s for selected site 30 April 2019

 

All outputs have to be submitted in Georgian language.

 

D. Qualifications and Experience

The Expert must demonstrate the following qualification and experience:

–          Hold at least master’s degree in forestry, agro-forestry and/or related field with at least 10 years’ relevant experience of working on forest and/or windbreak restoration/re-establishment/afforestation projects;

–          Practical experience in forest/windbreaks restoration/re-establishment/afforestation works;

–          Strong analytical and writing skills, with a proven record of producing high-quality written outputs;

–          Excellent communications skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing;

–          Demonstrated skills in participatory methodologies on information gathering, analysis and presentation;

–          Be fluent in speaking and writing;

–          Proven computer literacy in full Microsoft Office, and preferably with familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and spatial modeling approaches related to forest and land management.

 

Language:

Fluency in Georgian, knowledge of English is an asset.

 

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Project Title Applying Landscape and Sustainable Land Management (L-SLM) for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas
Donor: Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
Implementing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Executing Agency: Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus)
Post Title: Consultant for preparing and supervising the implementation of a pilot (micro) project proposal for applying crop rotation in Gardabani municipality
Starting Date: December 1, 2018
End Date: May 1,  2019
Duty Station: Tbilisi, Gardabani (Georgia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

 

Background

 

The lack of efficient land management policies, a weak regulatory framework, limited access to appropriate information and technology, a weak institutional capacities and a lack of cooperation between various stakeholders along with high rate of natural disasters are causing significant problems in land management sector and for overall ecosystem integrity.

 

Therefore, from the management point of view, one of the major problems Georgia is facing today is an absence of comprehensive and integrated approach in land management sector. In addition, an irrelevant legal framework sometimes is the source of additional “conflicts” with the evolved national strategic and policy packages.

 

Although Georgia has shown clear drive to combat land degradation and improve land management system by moving forward with the establishment of a strong baseline, this includes accession and implementation of most pertinent international agreements, adoption of several related policies and laws (NEAP, NAPCD, etc.)

 

The above mentioned factors underlines the importance of the review of the country’s existing policy and regulatory framework related to the management of land resources, that will serve as upmost important components to overcome existing barriers to mainstream L-SLM activities. National plans and policies do not reflect holistic land management principles and practices.

 

There is a failure of national and rural decision-making frameworks to provide adequate legal parameters and tools to support L-SLM. Current policies result in disparate organizations responsible for various land management sectors making unilateral decisions that lead to uncoordinated approaches. Consequently, “on the ground” management decisions made by responsible communities and resource users do not benefit from the guidance of coordinated, national strategies.

 

Capacity and information pathways do not exist to provide rural community members with examples of alternative, sustainable methods of resource use. Remote communities and resource users now responsible for many land management issues do not have satisfactory access to the information and tools necessary for informed decision-making. As a result, community land use plans and other decision-making tools intended to address land degradation fail to reflect L-SLM principles and practices.

 

The overall objective of the project is to support integration of good Landscape and Sustainable Land management (L-SLM) principles and practices into national policy and institutional framework to ensure adoption of economically viable practices by rural communities.

 

 

 

 

Rationale

The project is focused on Demonstrating benefits of introducing best L-SLM practices in the production  system, particularly by 6 pilot (micro) projects applying L-SLM for mitigating land degradation and contributing to poverty reduction in 3 rural municipalities of Georgia: Gardabani, Akhmeta and Dedoplistskaro.

 

This TOR has been developed to conduct consultancy service for elaboration of  the a pilot (micro) project to introduce L-SLM practices within in Gardabani(Kvemo Kartli Region) via applying the crop rotation system on arable lands to enhance productivity.

 

The desertification process is very intensively presented on the area of  32000,0 hectares of area in Gardabani region. The windbreak rehabilitation is the one of the goals of the Kvemo Kartli Regional Development plan 2014-2021. The saline soil is one of the major problem casusing degradation of land and loose of grass cover in most of villages.

 

Local  climate  conditions  are  a  key  constant  in management approaches, and have to be integrated into  the  planning  of  pilot (micro) projects  focusing  on windbreaks.  The  impacts  of  extreme  weather condition  have to be  assessed  and  relevant  mitigating  activities have to be considered in the pilot (micro) projects.

 

Farming is the primary economic activity and therefore farmers will have to play a central role in the implementation of the pilot (micro) project.

 

Pilot (micro) projects focused on improving soil productivity with real social impacts have to ensure participation of more community members in agricultural markets, thus increasing household incomes. This will contribute to securing livelihoods and food security in the short term as well as increasing prosperity for the rural poor in the long-term. Revitalizing local institutions for range and resources management and governance will also increase social capital and enable empowerment of rural people.

 

Pilot (micro) project has to include appropriate information pathways to provide potential implementers (farmers, rural community  members)  with links/sources on examples of alternative,  sustainable  methods of resource  use.

 

B. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To  address the underlying  objective of the assignment , scope of work  shall include, but not limited  to:

 

  • Preparation of pilot (micro) project on improving soil productivity for selected sites by applying crop rotation (incl. site selection; selection of crops for the selected sites and development of crop rotation schemes for selected sites; preparation of budget breakdown).

 

  • Technical control on implementation of pilot project and maintenance works (incl. quality control of field works, seeds and maintenance facilities).

 

  • On-job consultations and provision of guidance for works to be conducted on ground in selected sites.

 

  • Final report on implementation of  management plan for improving soil productivity for selected sites by applying crop rotation.

 

The main deliverables will be as outlined below:

 

  • Pilot (micro) project for improving soil productivity for selected sites by applying crop rotation in Gardabani Municipality.

 

  • Final report on implementation of crop rotation pilot project.

 

C.  SPECIFIC TIME TABLE

 

The Consultant shall deliver the Specified Service in accordance with the following timetable (the “Specified Timetable”):

 

N Deliverable Date
Pilot (micro) project for improving soil productivity for selected sites by applying crop rotation in Gardabani Municipality.

 

22 December 2018
Final report on implementation of crop rotation pilot project 30 April 2019

 

All outputs have to be submitted in Georgian language.

 

D. Qualifications and Experience

The Expert must demonstrate the following qualification and experience:

  • The expert should have successfully completed advanced university degree in agricultural and/or natural resources sciences, natural sciences or any related discipline;
  • Demonstrated relevant experience of at least five (5) years in L-SLM and/or related research and planning at national or international level;
  • Practical experience in forest/windbreaks restoration/re-establishment/afforestation works;
  • Strong analytical and writing skills, with a proven record of producing high-quality written outputs;
  • Excellent communications skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • Demonstrated skills in participatory methodologies on information gathering, analysis and presentation;
  • Be fluent in speaking and writing;
  • Proven computer literacy in full Microsoft Office, and preferably with familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and spatial modeling approaches related to forest and land management.

 

Language:

Fluency in Georgian, knowledge of English is an asset.