Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP helps Kazakhstan honor its Paris Agreement commitments by supporting the expansion of the \"green economy\" to tap into new opportunities for jobs and businesses. It partners with other United Nations agencies to provide technical expertise to translate strategies into action, establish a monitoring framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and develop plans for transition to green energy, land management, climate-proof agriculture, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management. By catalyzing SDG and Paris-aligned investments (public and private), UNDP delivers client-focused solutions that respond to immediate, mid and long-term recovery and socio-economic development priorities, and by leveraging on-the-ground presence and networks, we unlock bottom-up solutions towards lasting impacts at the country level, benefitting most disadvantaged and leaving no one behind.
Project Description
The project was developed as part of the global GEF Impact Program on Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) to trigger wide-scale adoption of efficient land management technologies and promote green value chains to reduce degradation of productive agricultural land and associated high value ecosystems in the Northern Kazakhstan Landscape (NKL). The project will support Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) policies, capacities and incentives, thus ensuring the enabling environment for transformation of land use practices to avoid ecosystem and land degradation. The project will support establishment of the cooperative platform with wheat exporters and retail companies, led by the Government and focusing on green wheat as key commodity. For the agricultural landscape, the project will support diversification and improved management of productive croplands, introduce agro-environmental incentives for sustainable food production, restore pasture land and introduce sustainable pasture management techniques. The project will support the establishment of a network of high-nature value ecosystems within game reserves, high nature value forest districts, wetlands, a local protected area and a connecting corridor. The project will finance innovative reforestation pilots and replicable restoration demos for dryland forests, degraded lake and wetland ecosystems. Within its knowledge management component, the project will assist the sectoral stakeholders with the establishment of a national experience exchange network on sustainable food production, organization of vocational and academic training programs in agricultural colleges and universities, awareness raising and advocacy for sustainable food production, SLM, conservation and sustainable use of valuable natural ecosystems in productive landscapes.
Duties and Responsibilities Provide support for creating and operationalizing a new Protected Area (PA) and eco-corridor in the Kokshetau Uplands; Ensure development of management plans for target PAs and forestries, ensuring high-nature value ecosystems, including HCVFs (High Conservation Value Forests), are managed based on international standards; Assess the management and financial effectiveness of PAs and forestries; Ensure planning for adequate biodiversity monitoring, fire prevention, and control systems for PAs and forestries; Build the capacity of PA and forestry staff based on capacity needs assessment; Oversee the preparation of studies on creation/expansion of the PA system and eco corridor in project sites, demonstration activities at selected pilot sites on restoring productivity of degraded wetland areas in NKL; Ensure timely and efficient planning, execution of activities and result delivery in accordance with the project document and reporting on the progress of approved activities under Outcome 3 of the project; Coordinate and implement relevant activities within Components 1, 2, 3 & 4 where the PA management and biodiversity conservation issues are addressed; Ensure development of species and habitat management plans; Analyze patterns of natural resource utilization for landscape planning in Protected Areas (PAs) and forest management; Organize vocal and academic training programs; Conduct awareness-raising initiatives and coordinate advocacy events; The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.Institutional Arrangement
The Project Analyst on Protected Areas and Eco-corridors reports to the National Project Coordinator and closely collaborates with Task Leaders of Components 1,2 and 3. Under the guidance of the NPC, the Project Analyst is responsible for the timely delivery and quality of outputs and technical advice. The job holder will ensure to provide quality advice to NPC and comply with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures.
CompetenciesCore competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross Functional and Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy - Business Acumen Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organisation and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Business Direction & Strategy - Negotiation and Influence Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations Business Development - Human-centered Design Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process Business Development - Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Business Development - Collective Intelligence Design Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions 2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management Required Skills and ExperienceRequired skills:
Demonstrated experience in applying laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of protected areas and ecological corridors is an asset. Proven previous experience and knowledge of the specifics of PAs is an asset.Desired skills:
Experience working with UNDP or other international organizations in biodiversity, ecosystems would be an asset. Work experience in projects related to such fields as fishery/agriculture/hunting at national level is desired.Languages:
Fluency in Russian and Kazakh is required. Knowledge of English would be an asset. Disclaimer Applicant information about UNDP rosters