International Payment for Ecosystem Services / Ecosystem Restoration Expert
Employer FAO Uzbekistan
|
Information on vacancy |
Period of publication |
13.01.2025 - 27.01.2025 |
Field of activity / position: |
Agriculture, irrigation / Master |
Duties |
This position holder will be based in and work for Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Background: The Global Food Systems, Land-Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program (IP) aims to promote sustainable integrated landscapes and efficient food value chains at scale. This initiative targets the transformation of global food systems to become positive contributors to planetary health, biodiversity, and ecological function. The FOLUR Impact Program, supported by a significant financial commitment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and co-financing partners, will be implemented across 27 countries with a focus on sustainable integrated landscapes and agricultural commodity value chains. Within this framework, Component 3 of the FOLUR Project in Uzbekistan addresses the "Conservation & Restoration of Natural Habitat." This component aims to enhance conservation and restoration of high nature value ecosystems/habitats within production landscapes, ultimately improving ecosystem services that support agriculture in an equitable and sustainable manner. Objective The expert in Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Ecosystem Restoration will support the development and implementation of mechanisms that enhance ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts within production landscapes. The expert will lead the design, piloting, and scaling of PES models and restoration activities, ensuring that local communities, particularly marginalized groups, benefit from sustainable landscape management and restoration interventions. Scope of Work Design and Implementation of PES Models: o Develop PES mechanisms that incentivize communities and individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, to engage in ecosystem restoration activities. o Pilot gender-responsive and inclusive PES models in collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders. o Provide recommendations on scaling successful PES models and integrate them with ongoing national policies and initiatives. o Explore and propose additional benefit-sharing mechanisms, such as carbon trading, biodiversity conservation payments, and land tenure incentives. Capacity Building and Training: o Support the selection and training of 250 individuals (50% women) in ecosystem restoration techniques, including plant identification, seed multiplication, water harvesting, and nature-based solutions. o Develop and deliver training curricula that cover both theoretical knowledge and hands-on restoration practices. o Conduct follow-up training for an additional 250 individuals as part of the project's expansion efforts. Ecosystem Restoration and Maintenance Activities: o Lead the planning and execution of ecosystem restoration activities in target landscapes, including reforestation, pastureland rehabilitation, agroforestry, and water management interventions. o Identify areas of high biodiversity and conservation value in collaboration with district representatives and integrate them into restoration plans. o Oversee the establishment and management of native species nurseries that will supply plants for restoration activities. o Coordinate maintenance of restored ecosystems, ensuring their long-term sustainability through PES and other support mechanisms. Monitoring and Evaluation: o Develop a monitoring framework to assess the impact of PES models and restoration activities. o Collect and analyze data to validate the effectiveness of PES models in achieving project goals, particularly in terms of enhancing ecosystem services and improving livelihoods. o Provide recommendations for refining PES models based on lessons learned and data collected during project implementation. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: o Work closely with local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to ensure broad participation in restoration activities. o Facilitate participatory impact monitoring and share results with local, regional, and global stakeholders. o Support outreach efforts and public awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration practices. Development of Alternative Livelihoods: o Identify and promote alternative livelihoods that support ecosystem restoration, such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, and value chains for biodiversity-based products. o Work with women-led households and unemployed youth to build capacity in business management, marketing, and value addition within these alternative livelihoods. Collaboration with other Experts within the FOLUR Project: o Collaborates with Data Management Expert (M&E) responsible for Component 4 (monitoring and evaluation) to measure project impact. o Collaborates with Conservation Agriculture Experts (FFS/APFS/SLM facilitators) for training exercises, workshops, and support in logistics. o Collaborates with International Agriculture Policy Expert (wheat knowledge) for market trends and value chain development. o Collaborates with Knowledge Management Expert (Communications/Advocacy) for document and promote project results, to gather data, case studies, and outputs from different components for communication and advocacy purposes. o Collaborates with Economist for Ecosystem Service Accounting Expert to support ecological restoration, monitoring and economic modelling outputs. o Coordinates with ILM and Conservation Agriculture Experts for ecological restoration and monitoring. o If actual issues related to the effective achievement of project goals are identified, PES Ecosystem Restoration Expert collaborates with all Experts of the FOLUR Project.
The Expert will focus to Outputs 3.1.1. / 3.1.2. / 3.1.3. / 3.1.4. and will collaborate with other Outputs within the Project: Outcome 3.1.1.: Capacity building and resource mobilization carried out for implementation of ILM plans through local producers, government and other stakeholders – including the private sector for conservation of existing high biodiversity areas or restoration of degraded areas. Through the participant organizations and initial training sessions completed in 2.1.1, select a group of 250 people (50% women) to be further trained and capacitated in ecosystem restoration techniques and processes (youth and women friendly), negotiating with them and their respective organizations to ensure sufficient compensation and incentives are provided for their time and effort. Through PES options, have trained group of people realise ecosystem restoration activities as developed under the ILM plans in Output 1.3.2. Output 3.1.2.: Models of benefit sharing from ILM between communities and other stakeholders for conservation and restoration of habitats/ ecosystems in production landscapes developed. Output 3.1.3.: Alternative livelihoods demonstrated for community members involved in activities that threaten global environmental values for conservation and restoration of habitats/ ecosystems in production landscapes. Output 3.1.4.: Degraded ecosystems/habitats of high nature value in target areas in production landscapes put under sustainable management and restored. Conduct at least one Restoration Opportunity Assessment Methodology (ROAM) using IUCN ROAM methodology to identify options suitable for the project areas near valuable and threatened ecosystems, including PAs and adjacent areas to support ecosystem integrity and ecological connectivity.
Deliverables PES Models Report: A comprehensive report outlining the design, piloting, and scaling of PES models, including benefit-sharing mechanisms, carbon trading options, and incentive structures for restoration activities. Training Materials and Curriculum: Development of gender-responsive and youth-friendly training curricula on ecosystem restoration and SLM principles, along with training reports and participant feedback. Restoration Plans and Reports: Detailed plans for restoration activities, including maps, timelines, resource requirements, and maintenance strategies. Reports on progress and outcomes of restoration efforts. Monitoring and Evaluation Reports: Reports assessing the impact of PES models and restoration activities, with recommendations for improvements and scaling. Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: A strategy for engaging local communities, authorities, and private sector stakeholders in the PES and restoration processes. Sustainability Plan for Nurseries and Livelihoods: A plan for ensuring the financial independence of community nurseries and for creating sustainable markets and livelihoods related to ecosystem services.
Timeline: within 60 days from the Effective Date of the Consultancy Agreement |
Requirements to the candidate |
Age: |
Irrelevant |
Gender: |
Irrelevant |
Residence: |
Uzbekistan |
Education: |
Higher |
Professional requirements |
Applicants must answer the following: Education: • Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, or related field. Experience: • At least 10 years of experience in designing and implementing Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and ecosystem restoration projects. • Proven expertise in capacity building, training, and community engagement in environmental or agricultural contexts. • Experience working with rural communities, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups, in Central Asia or similar regions. • Strong knowledge of sustainable land management, integrated landscape management, and ecosystem restoration techniques. • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and private sector partners. • Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data analysis software. • Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Uzbek and Russian are an advantage, but not a must. Competencies: • Proven ability to apply gender analysis frameworks and tools to program design and implementation. • Strong commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural settings. • Ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, and meet deadlines. Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan Site visits: Project locations Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Kashkadarya |
Working conditions |
Region |
Tashkent |
Employment |
Full |
Salary offered |
TBD |
|
|
|
Personal account |
|