CBNRM Specialist

Description

• Job TypeFreelance
• Experience5 Year+
• Min Salary$1,000+

The Project entitled "INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (INRM) IN THE PRODUCTIVE, NATURAL AND FORESTED LANDSCAPE OF NORTHERN REGION OF CAMBODIA (FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION COMPONENT)" is looking for a CBNRM Specialist.

I. Position Information
- Job Title: CBNRM Specialist
- Report to: Project Director and Project Management Board
- Contract Type: National Consultant (NC)
- Duty Station: Phnom Penh
- Expected Places to Travel: Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces
- Contract Duration: Task-1 (17 days), Task-2 (5 days), Task-3 (11 days), Task-4 (17 days), Task-5 (15 days) from April to September 2024

II. Background
Cambodian forests are intimately linked to agriculture and in-land fisheries, and to maintaining the sustainability and productivity of both these sectors. Services provided by forest ecosystems include regulation of local water-circulation, mitigation of droughts and flash foods, and reduction of waterway sedimentation. Forests are, therefore, a key factor in national development, and their sustainable use could provide considerable benefits to our country and her people. The majority of our rural population are subsistence farmers, 75% of these, depend on access to natural forest resources for essential products, energy and food, particularly in times of hardship. Forests also provide household opportunities for diversification, supplementary income, and employment created by forest product-based enterprises.

The challenges faced in managing the forests in a sustainable manner are inherently linked to opportunities in socio-economic development. These are outlined below initially focusing on macro-level country issues and then focusing on more specific forest related challenges which encompassed forest contribution to poverty alleviation, livelihoods and the economy; climate change will affect forest based livelihoods, sectoral land-use planning, illegal activities and weak collaboration, forest conflicts, limited of capacity and knowledge, Forest degradation, suitability of management models and Financing and degraded farmland of local communities.

To achieve sustainable forest management, community livelihood enhancement and conservation of habitats and biodiversity set out in the National Forest Program, and other related forest program, substantial financial and technical support combined with capacity building of stakeholders are important through bilateral, multilateral assistance and contribution from virous sources to address challenges in the management of forest resources and conservation of biodiversity. A number of Activities prepared in the Integrated Natural Resource Management in Productive, Natural and Forested Landscape of Northern Region of Cambodia (INRM project) are consistent with strategic implementation program of the National Forest Program. The Implementation of a number of activities and sub-activities of the project will contribute to the achievement of targets and indicators in the National Forest Program.

The objective of grant proposal is to enhance community forestry based natural resource management to improve protection, restoration and conservation of production forest which contribute to habitat connectivity, biodiversity conservation and livelihood of local community in the northern plains of Cambodia.

III. Scope of Work:
Under supervision and overall guidance of the Project Management Board (PMB), the CBNRM and Sustainable Livelihood Specialist will work closely with the Project Coordinator, project technical field assistants, targeted local communities forestry and/or CPAs, and local competent authorities to define CBNRM elements and criteria, list the sites for project pilot sites, conduct SWOT analysis on the four selected CBNRN sites against project objectives, and propose options and development of action plans for improvement CBNRN management. Finally, it is to conduct a study on opportunities for sustainable income generation from CBNRMs and sites selecting to pilot (one or two sites selected as appropriate), including Orchid Center.
The work will support the Output 2.3: Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programs established and managed by community, which include the following activities:
• Activity 2.3.1: Inventory existing CBNRM sites across the Northern Landscape, with a catchment overlay to show links between catchment and CBNRM.
• Activity 2.3.2: Reviewing the existing CBNRM arrangements and linkages to sustainable land, water and forest management, and propose relevant improvements for developing more efficient management of such sites, including options to improve community incomes and benefits.
• Activity 2.3.5: Identify opportunities for sustainable income generation from CBNRMs, including sustainable ecotourism activities (homestays, tour guides and services, handicrafts, bird watching, agro-based tourism products, green labelling, etc.).

IV. Duties and Responsibilities
The CBNRM Specialist will execute duties and responsibilities bellow:
Task-1 & Task-2:
• Review existing elements and criteria of CBNRM;
• Conduct consultations with provincial Forestry Administration officials and local stakeholders to develop elements and criteria of CBNRM;
• Finalize the key elements and criteria of CBNRM based on consultations and reviews;
• List the potential CBNRM sites based on elements and criteria suitable, and prepare maps of CBNRM project sites (a list of potential communities forestry);
• Prepare a technical report on development of elements and criteria for the potential CBNRM project sites suitable, and submit the report to project coordinator;
• Perform other tasks assigned by project coordinator.
Expected deliverables and delivery date:
• Map showing the number of the potential CBNRM sites based on elements and criteria suitable for CBNRM project sites (April-May 2024);
• A review and consultation report on development of elements and criteria suitable for the potential CBNRM project sites (May 2024);
Task-3 & Task-4:
• Conduct SWOT analysis on the four selected CBNRN sites against project objectives;
• Assess each existing potential of the selected CBNRM project sites;
• Propose options and develop action plans for improvement of CBNRM practices management;
• Conduct consultation meeting with relevant stakeholders and field visit to validate the findings;
• Prepare a technical report on development of action plans for improvement of CBNRM practices, and submit the report to project coordinator;
• Perform other tasks assigned by project coordinator.
Expected deliverables and delivery date:
• Action plans for improvement of CBNRM practices (May-June 2024);
• A technical report on development of action plans for improvement of CBNRM practices, including the SWOT analysis on the four selected CBNRN sites against project objectives (June 2024).
Task-5:
• Conduct literature reviews on sustainable income generation from CBNRM in Cambodia;
• Collaborate with provincial Forestry Administration officials and CBNRM committees to conduct consultations on opportunities for sustainable income generation of CBNRM;
• Identify pilot sites to be selected for income generation;
• Develop action plans for income generation in consultation with CBNRM committee;
• Prepare a report of the study and implementation of CBNRMs’ income generation, and submit to project coordinator;
• Perform other tasks as necessary.
Expected deliverables and delivery date:
• Listing of pilot sites to be selected for income generation and action plans for income generation in consultation with CBNRM committee (July 2024);
• A report on consultation and reviews on sustainable income generation from CBNRM for the selected potential CBNRM of the project sites (August 2024);
• A technical report on the study and implementation of CBNRMs’ income generation (September 2024).

V. Recruitment Qualifications
- Education: At least Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Environment, Biodiversity, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experiences:
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Community-Based National Resource Management (CBNRM), local income generation, agro-based tourism products, and sustainable livelihood development in Cambodia;
• Experience with GEF/UNDP procedures will be an advantage.
- Competencies:
• Very strong grantees or recipient grants orientation;
• Strong expertise in Community-Based National Resource Management (CBNRM), local income generation, agro-based tourism products, sustainable livelihood development, and small business development;
• Excellent skills in the usage of computers and software, including ArcGIS, Microsoft Office applications;
• Display sensitivity and adaptability to different cultures, genders, religions, races, nationalities and age groups;
• Good team player, self‐starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships;
• Willingness to travel to the field as required.
- Language Requirements: Excellent command of Khmer and English (both spoken and written).

VI. How to Apply
Interested individual should submit a cover letter, CV and support reference no later than March 29, 2024 (5:00 PM) to the Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity (DWB), Forestry Administration.
Address: Hanoi Blvd, Roung Chakr Village, Sangkat Kouk Khleang, Khan Sen Sok Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity (DWB), The Institute of Forest and Wildlife Research and Development (IRD).
And / or email to: sot*******@gmail.com ចុចដើម្បីផ្ញើអ៊ីម៉ែល/Click To Send Email. Contact: (+855) 017592xxx ចុចដើម្បីតេ/Click To Call, Mr. Hort Sothea, Deputy Director of the Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity (DWB).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.