Payment for Environment Services Associate Advisor

SNV Bhutan is looking for a:

Payment for Environment Services Associate Advisor

Bhutanese, Indian and other nationalities are invited to apply.

This position will be confirmed only upon the approval of project funding.

Duty station: Thimphu, Bhutan

(Consultancy contract)

SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation working in over 30 developing countries for more than 40 years. SNV has been working in Bhutan since 1988 and is active in all of SNV’s three sectors (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Renewable Energy and Agriculture).

Payment for Environmental Services (PES) is an incentive-based direct approach to conservation of natural resources whereby service providers receive payments that are conditional on acceptable conservation performance. PES doesn’t only offer financing mechanism for sustainable land management but also provides a benefit sharing mechanism aspired by the Gross National Happiness policy (main over-arching policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan - RGoB). PES also has scope in adapting to climate change which poses high risk especially in the Himalayan region.

Since 2007, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), national governments have been deliberating and developing a carbon sequestration mechanism – ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries’ – REDD+.  Recently (April 2011), the RGoB committed to the development of a national REDD+ strategy, which will need to be integrated with other emerging PES policies and practice interventions, such as that proposed here. 

SNV Bhutan is likely to soon start a new project. The overall goal of the project is to develop, and operationalize PES demonstration models that would contribute to the development of an informed PES policy framework, which is fully integrated with REDD+. Such an integrated PES policy framework and working models will serve as market-based incentives for land management adapted to foreseen climate change and generate revenues for local communities from payments made by users benefiting from natural resource stewardship.

SNV Bhutan is looking for a highly qualified and experienced candidate responsible for technically assisting the development of a PES policy framework; development of pilot PES schemes and contractual agreements; and strengthening of capacities at various levels in Bhutan.

Responsibilities:

·          Technically assisting the drafting of national REDD+ strategy and PES policy framework documents

·          Reviewing existing policies related to PES to inform preparation of options papers providing guidance on developing PFM at the local level

·          Creating awareness, and managing expectations among stakeholders at different levels, of potential PES and REDD+ costs and benefits

·          Technically and operationally facilitating development of pilot PES schemes at 3 sites

·          Facilitating national workshops to develop national PES and REDD+ strategies integrating carbon and non-carbon environmental services opportunities

·          Facilitating negotiation of contractual agreements between providers and buyers for the identified services.

·          Assisting development of pilot BDS and PFM models that inform national REDD+ strategy

·          Contributing to lessons learnt document on PES (policy brief)

·          Co-ordinating trainings on PES identification and negotiation processes

·          Providing on-going support to WMD and other RGoB partners in developing national PES and REDD+ strategy frameworks

·          Facilitating, developing TORs and overseeing the technical inputs of international advisors/consultants

·          Preparing progress, mid-term review and final evaluation reports for project proponents and donors

·          PES and REDD+ will be the main area of work, but additional tasks will develop as the SNV Bhutan programme develops

Likely deliverables, to be determined in consultation with the main client:

Component 1

a)    Inputs into the national REDD+ strategy incorporating broader PES opportunities

b)    Inputs into national PES policy framework document that integrates the national REDD+ strategy

Component 2

c)     Paper on use of hydropower royalty

d)    Domestic PES lessons learnt and options paper identifying potential sites, services valuation, sites; PES valuation; buyers and suppliers

e)    Contractual agreements between providers and buyers for the identified services drafted for 3 PES schemes

Component 3

f)     PES implementation guidelines for PES stakeholders and intermediaries

g)    Guidelines for valuation of ES services targeting public and private sector facilitating and support agencies

Project-wide

h)    Concise internal mid-term review and final project evaluation reports for project proponents, donors, SNV.

i)      1 documentary and printed brochures on PES

j)     Implement Managing for Results (planning, monitoring and evaluation)

Partnerships:

The project will be implemented by the Watershed Management Division (WMD) under the Department of Forest & Park Services (DoFPS), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), with the following agencies & Institutions as key partners/ associates:

·          Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) and all Divisions thereof

·          Policy & Planning Division of MoAF

·          Policy & Technical Working Groups of REDD+ & PES in Bhutan

·          Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC)

·          Ministry of Finance agencies

·          Selected local governments (Dzongkhag, Geogs, Chiwogs)

·          Local stakeholders, particularly participating local communities

·          SNV’s global REDD+ programme

·          UN REDD

·          FAO

·          IFAD

·          Other international partners, donors, institutions

Candidate Profile:

·          Education: Master’s Degree in natural resource management or other relevant disciplines

·          Minimum 5 years professional work experience, including international experience as advisor natural resource management.

·          With proven record in REDD+ and/or Payment for Environmental Services outside Bhutan.

·          Experience in benefit distribution systems, participatory monitoring and related policy development

·          Proven track record in acquisition, proposal development and mobilizing of resources

·          Demonstrated project management skills

·          Experience in writing practice-based knowledge documents

·          Knowledge of gender and social inclusion concepts

·          Proficient in English

·          Interest to work at both policy level and community level

·          Flexible and open attitude to take up additional tasks as the SNV Bhutan programme develops

Description of duty station: Thimphu

Medical services: Standard healthcare facilities available free of cost; more complicated issues are dealt with in Bangkok or India

Educational facilities: International schooling systems in English (up to VI), English medium schools with Hindi.

Security situation: Good. Peace and security throughout the country.

Accessibility: 4 days per week flights to Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkatta, Katmandu and Dhaka.

Salary: A consultancy package USD 1700 to 2000 per month all inclusive, depending on the experience of the candidate.

Contract period: 2 years with possibility of extension

Desired start date: 1 August 2013

How to apply?

Please apply by clicking on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/327829 and completing your application in our in-house recruitment system before 30 June 2013.

More information about SNV

SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation. We believe that no-one should have to live in poverty and that all people should have the opportunity to pursue their own sustainable development.

Starting out in the Netherlands more than 40 years ago, we now work in over 30 of the poorest countries worldwide. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services - empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

By sharing our specialist expertise in Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, we contribute to solving some of the leading problems facing the world today – helping to find local solutions to global challenges and sowing the seeds of lasting change.

SNV aims to make a lasting difference in the lives of 40 million people living in poverty over the period 2011-2015.

For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org