UNDP: Support to the Development of Community Forests (Myanmar)

Deadline: 22-Sep-21

UNDP is requesting for proposals to Support to the Development of Community Forests, Community Forest Enterprises and Community Protected Areas in Mon State and Tanintharyi Region.

Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Their high rates of net primary productivity deliver significant ecosystem goods and benefits to society, including support to coastal fisheries, shoreline stabilization, timber and non-timber forest products, protection from coastal storms, storm surges and tsunami, and sequestration of carbon dioxide. Myanmar is one of the mangroves-richest countries in the world.

The Government of Norway is providing funding to the UN-REDD Programme to address the integration of mangroves’ sustainable management, restoration and conservation into REDD+ implementation in Myanmar.

UN-REDD Mangroves TA is being implemented jointly by UN-FAO, UNEP and UNDP in the delta region and southeastern Myanmar.

The UN-REDD Mangroves TA was designed to strengthen the capacities of grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities in natural resource management.

Through UN-REDD TA and under UNDP’s Governance for Resilience and Sustainability Project (GRSP), UNDP in close collaboration with FAO and UNEP will support Myanmar in reducing its emissions as well as enhancing livelihoods of forest communities in six districts (covering 56% of national mangrove cover) in Ayeyarwady, Mon, Rakhine and Tanintharyi.

A major component of the TA directly implemented by UNDP will support;

Capacity building of local communities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the establishment of Community Protected Areas (CPA) in southeastern Myanmar; and
Capacity building of local communities and CSOs in the establishment of Community Forests (CF) and Community Forest Enterprises (CFE) in southeastern Myanmar.

Activities

Working under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative, and day to day supervision of the Activity Manager, UN-REDD Mangroves TA and under the overall guidance of the Project Manager/Chief Technical Advisor, GRSP, the service provider will undertake the following activities:

Strengthening local communities and CSOs’ capacity for establishing and managing Community Protected Areas in south-eastern Myanmar specifically
Support local communities and CSOs’ in the establishment of Community Forests in southeastern Myanmar specifically
Support local communities and CSOs in the establishment of Community Forestry Enterprises in south-eastern Myanmar, specifically

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

The outputs and deliverables required are:

A workplan for the assignment including risk mitigation and management,
A list of locations with high potential for CF/CFE/CPA along with profile of each location and an assessment of how and why those locations are selected,
1 st progress report after 5 months of signing the contract with 50% of work completed,
2 nd progress report after 8 months of signing the contract with 80% of work completed,
Final narrative report incorporating lessons learned along with financial report.

Location of Work: Mawlamyaing District in Mon State and Dawei and Myeik District in Tanintharyi region

Qualifications Required

The contracted organization shall meet the following criteria:
- At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in developing CFs, CFEs;
- Demonstrated experience working with local communities, including ethnic minorities, particularly supporting community-based natural resource management;
- Demonstrated experience in mangrove conservation, restoration and management
- Experience in working with ethnic armed organizations is desirable;
- Expertise on REDD+ and/or climate change is desirable.
Team Leader
- The Team Leader will be responsible for the day-to-day technical delivery of the deliverables:
- At least 5 years working experience in the establishment of community forest, community forestry enterprise and community-based natural resource management in Myanmar
- Strong relationships with CSOs, CBOs and local communities in Mon state and Tanintharyi region
- At least a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences or equivalent qualification;
- Excellent Myanmar and English language skills.
Community Forestry Specialist
- Master’s degree in Forestry or equivalent qualification;
- Familiarity with Market Analysis and Development methodologies;
- Experience working with local communities and CSOs, CBOs in southeast Myanmar;
- At least 3 years of experience in CF/CFE establishment in Myanmar
- Excellent Myanmar and English language skills
International Advisor
- Regional experience on mangrove conservation and sustainable management in Southeast Asia
- CF/CFE establishment experience in Myanmar;
- Excellent English writing skills
Field Officer
- Experience working with CSOs, CBOs and local communities on CF/CFE in southeast Myanmar
- Good facilitation and community mobilization skills.