Requesting Section:                            Forestry Department

BACKGROUND

The current four (4) year European Union Budget Support Programme (EU BSP) initiative which commenced 2018 between the Government of Jamaica and the EU will create increased technical workflows and procurement activities within the Forest Science and Technology Services (FS&TS) Division. Under the 11th EDF, EU BSP for Jamaica, the Forestry Department will conduct core activities that contribute to our national development strategy as outlined in the Agency's National Forest Management and Conservation Plan. Through eight major indicators, the Forestry Department will be implementing key activities which are centered on the environment and climate change focal sector of this financial support initiative. Five (5) of these indicators require direct technical input from the FS&TS Division.  In addition to this, it has become noticeable that the turnover time and response to information requests, especially those from our external clients are not in keeping with the required standards, and as a result, requests for information are not adequately addressed. This results in the client making several formal requests on the same matter to the entity and not receiving a timely response, which may leave the Forestry Department with a poor reputation amongst its stakeholders.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The incumbent will provide technical support to the Senior Director, Forest Science and Technology Services (FS&TS) Division to ensure that the technical outputs from the division are delivered in a timely manner, according to performance standards or guidelines. The incumbent will also assist the Senior Director, with technical duties by providing a wide variety of complex and confidential technical support; communicating information (technical and otherwise) on behalf of the Senior Director to various stakeholders or team leads/members as directed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION SCOPE OF WORK 

The incumbent will be expected to undertake certain key tasks, described below, in order to meet the objectives outlined above in Part 2 of this Terms of Reference.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and or finalization of the Divisional Operational Plans, Procurement Plans, Forest Management Plans and budget and related budgetary programmes;
• Assist in the development of Implementation Plan based on alignment with the Operational and Strategic Plans of the Division and by extension the Agency;
• Draft and/or edit technical correspondence and communications and disseminate final versions as instructed by the Senior Director;
• Monitor technical schedules and timelines for the divisional outputs to meet internal and external demands/requests;
• Assist in organizing and coordinating, technical workshops, seminars, training sessions, exhibitions or forums conducted by the Division;
• Capture and document information coming out of the technical sessions; generate summary reports with major decisions/actions points for follow up with Senior Director on subsequent actions
• Liaise with CEO'S office with regards to technical information requests for review and approval;
• Identify and resolve minor problems and situations that affect the efficient flow of work directed at the Senior Director's desk/office;
• Any other technical related tasks.

Technical/Professional

• Participate in meetings, workshops, seminars and other events as needed;
• Conduct documentary research as requested and compile reports as needed;
• Assist in the preparation of technical material to support the Division/Agency sensitization/education programme;
• Conduct research to assist with the preparation of reports, proposals, project plans and other documents;
• Collate information and prepare the Monthly, Quarterly, Annual, and other special reports and or presentations;
• Edit technical documents/reports/presentation et cetera;
• Schedule and arrange technical meetings, focus groups, field visits et cetera;
• Prepare background technical information and co-ordinate documents or activities that may be needed before meetings;
• Answer technical related queries and prepare responses to requests from internal and external stakeholders;
• Review and proof-read draft and final technical documents from branches directed to the Senior Director;
• Attend technical meetings and produce accurate minutes/notes;
• Provide administrative functions for relevant technical committees, including recording decisions and distributing minutes;
• Read and analyse submissions made to the Senior Director to determine the nature of the submissions and ensure proper dissemination;
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Senior Director from time to time.

DELIVERABLES

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• A First Degree in Forestry/Environmental  or Earth Sciences/Natural Resource Management/Agriculture or Related Science field
• Knowledge of Climate Change strategies and REDD+ would be an asset.
• Two (2) years working experience in a Technical Supporting role.

OR

• Associate Degree in Forestry/Environmental or Earth Sciences/Natural Resource Management/Agriculture or Related Science field.
• Four (4) years working experience in a Technical Supporting role.
• Working knowledge of events planning

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of Government of Jamaica regulations, policies and principles including the Procurement Guidelines
• Basic Project Management skills
• Methodical and analytical skills
• Planning and organizing skills
• Research and information gathering skills
• Competency in the use of Microsoft Suite of tools
• Results and team oriented
• Good time management skills

Skills

• Strong technical report writing skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly productivity applications such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint
• Possess an awareness of Geographic Information Systems (open source and proprietor)
• Basic knowledge in computer solutions to manage and disseminate information, plan and schedule meetings and maintain administrative records.

LOCATION

The main location of the assignment will be at the Forestry Department Head Office- 173 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8. 

ANTICIPATED DURATION

The assignment is to be completed within 24 months following the inception of the contract.

Conflict of Interest

The incumbent is required to comment on any potential conflicts of interest arising out of other assignments or a conflicting involvement in other assignments.

 Confidentiality

The incumbent agrees to keep confidential all information that they receive, directly or indirectly, from Forestry Department or any other stakeholder, as well as all copies that they make, or have been made by third parties, on the basis of such information (collectively, the Material). The incumbent shall use the Material exclusively for the purpose of preparing deliverables relevant to this assignment. The confidentiality obligations shall not apply to information in the public domain. The incumbent shall only permit access to the Material to persons within their organisations on a need-to-know basis. The incumbent shall explicitly inform such persons of the confidential nature of the Material and, prior to providing them the Material, subject them to the confidential obligations contained in this Terms of Reference.

Applications along with resumes should be submitted no later than October 16, 2020 to:

Director,

Human Resource Management & Development

 Forestry Department

73 Constant Spring Road

Kingston 8

Email: hrmd.fd@gmail.com

We thank all persons who express an interest; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Requesting Section: Forestry Department  

BACKGROUND

The Government of Jamaica has committed to maintaining a ‘no-net-loss' forest cover as described in its Forest Policy for Jamaica (2017) and its most recent National Forest Management and Conservation Plan [NFMCP] (2016-2026). REDD+ is a national strategic priority as outlined in the NFMCP, with one of the key outcomes “Outcome 3: Strengthened institutional capacity for REDD+ activities”. The NFMCP defines critical activities to achieve this as outlined in action 3-10 to 13: 

• Action 3-10: Facilitate consultations and support activities for preparation of project      document to fund REDD+ activities 

• Action 3-11: REDD+ readiness - analyse the drivers for deforestation/forest degradation 

• Action3-12: REDD+ - establish Forest Reference Emission Level 

• Action 3-13: REDD+ preparedness - develop information system, environmental and social safeguards 

To successfully achieve this outcome, Jamaica is required to conduct technical studies, develop a National REDD+ Strategy aligned with international requirements under the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, and set up REDD+ national management arrangements, in ways that are inclusive of the key national stakeholders and forest-dependent communities. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

A key objective of this assignment is to assist the national REDD+ Focal point to ensure that the strategic direction for the REDD+ project is implemented according to plan and raise national awareness of this climate change initiative to all stakeholders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION SCOPE OF WORK  

The incumbent will be expected to undertake certain key tasks, described below, in order to meet the objectives outlined above in Part 2 of this Terms of Reference.

Administrative 

• Provide logistical support to event management, particularly workshops and meetings related to Forests and REDD climate change initiatives;

• Work closely with the personnel executing the REDD+ project activities inclusive of readiness initiatives and integrated land management systems;

• Assist the REDD+ consultancy team, in conjunction with the REDD+ Focal Point, with the preparation of a road map to meet other requirements of REDD+ Readiness (National forest Monitoring System and Forest Emission Scenarios);

• Assist the REDD+ consultancy teams, in conjunction with the REDD+ Focal Point, with the desk review of the country's existing capacity to respond to and resolve grievances and conflicts;

• Plan, organize and conduct surveys and present findings to the Senior Research Officer for decision making;

• Research, compile and present information needed to complete reports;

• Collect and/or generate data relating to carbon stock, and forest reference emission levels (FRELs);

• Initiate, manage, and coordinate various project activities, as well as prepare the project reports, and project proposal relating to forest, climate change and the REDD+ initiatives;

• Enable and support public education and awareness initiatives in relation to Forest, climate change and REDD+;

• Work as a team player within the Division to seek support from other relevant partners to promote the REDD+ process;

• Work closely with the interdisciplinary team and maintain professional collaboration with colleagues from partners institutions;

• Ensure that the principles of the REDD+ national process are respected and realized;

Technical 

• Assist in the development of project designs; 

• Implement and monitor activities according to approved REDD+ programme;

• Plan, organize, and conduct surveys/fieldwork associated with REDD+ initiatives especially those relating to SFM and integrated Land management; 

• Track schedules or performance relating to REDD+ initiatives or other field activities;

• Compile/collate/generate and enter data into research database;

• Analyse and interpret data to be utilised in report/technical documents;

• Draft report and/or technical document/papers to be included in external documents; 

• Review and provide comments on technical and other related documents;

• Provide accurate/credible technical information/document to assist in our Public Awareness and Education programmes;

• In the absence of a defined research activity, troubleshoot and make recommendation for incidences and abnormalities relating to the Agency's Climate Change programme – REDD+; 

• Assist in the implementation of the Agency's climate change research programme;

• Ensure the collection and entry of data as per standard, and the timely analyses of same whilst ensuring data storage for easy access and retrieval;

• Assist in training or technical transfer initiatives;

• Initiate, recommend, develop and implement special projects relating to trees/forest health;

• Liaise with other agencies with regard to climate change initiatives.

DELIVERABLES

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• A minimum of First degree or equivalent in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, 

Environmental Science, Environment and Development or related fields;

• A minimum of 3 years of professional or equivalent experience; 

• Experience in project implementation. 

In addition to:

• Proven ability to plan, organize and effectively implement activities;

• Experience in coordination and ability to work in teams, as well as in complex environments;

• Good communication skills, basic proficiency in Spanish or French would be an asset;

• Understanding of government functioning;

• Experience in dialogue processes between Government of Jamaica, Climate change financing Institutions and civil society on consensus building;

• Knowledge of REDD+ and climate change is an asset.

Competencies Required

• Strong research and statistical analyses skills;

• Strong data collection and analytical skills;

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships;

• Good oral, written and presentation skills;

• Keen eye for detail;

• Goal oriented;

• Good interpretative skills;

• Good problem solving skills;

• Strong field navigational skills.

LOCATION 

The main location of the assignment will be at the Forestry Department Head Office- 173 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8.  

ANTICIPATED DURATION 

The assignment is to be completed within 24 months following the inception of the contract.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The incumbent is required to comment on any potential conflicts of interest arising out of other assignments or a conflicting involvement in other assignments.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The incumbent agrees to keep confidential all information that they receive, directly or indirectly, from Forestry Department, the Climate Change Division (Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation), REDD+ Steering Committee and the REDD+ Focal Point, or any other stakeholder, as well as all copies or analyses that they make, or have been made by third parties, on the basis of such information (collectively, the Material). The incumbent shall use the Material exclusively for the purpose of preparing deliverables relevant to this assignment. The confidentiality obligations shall not apply to information in the public domain. The incumbent shall only permit access to the Material to persons within their organisations on a need-to-know basis. The incumbent shall explicitly inform such persons of the confidential nature of the Material and, prior to providing them the Material, subject them to the confidential obligations contained in this Terms of Reference.

Applications along with resumes should be submitted no later than October 16, 2020 to:

Director,

Human Resource Management & Development

 Forestry Department

73 Constant Spring Road

Kingston 8

Email: hrmd.fd@gmail.com

We thank all persons who express an interest; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.