Mali: Consultant, National Expert Specializing in Adaptation to Climate Change, in Particular in the Field of Agriculture / Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

Mar 7, 2021 | UNDP
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The Mopti region has attracted considerable attention in recent years from government and international actors engaged in the development and stability of the country. Since 2015, this region has become a hotbed of insecurity where the jihadist threat, military operations, inter-community violence and conflicts between herders and farmers converge. As the State does not demonstrate effective authority and does not exercise a monopoly of force in this region, chronic insecurity reigns there and compromises the prospects for peace, socio-economic development and respect for the Rule of law. Violence between pastoralist and farming communities in the Mopti region is mainly due to competition for land and water resources. Land is needed to maintain economic livelihoods amid climate change, changing demographics, outside ideological influences, an ongoing jihadist insurgency, and political manipulation by local elites. Rising tensions between farmers and pastoralists exacerbate a fragile security environment in central Mali.

It is urgent to articulate immediate recovery interventions and long-term sustainable development in accordance with the Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development (CREDD 2019-2023) of the Government of Mali for the sustainable management of natural resources, the strengthening of the resilience of communities and vulnerable groups, the consolidation of peace and social cohesion to cope with external shocks.

Faced with land degradation and the negative impacts of climate change on the ecosystem, conflicts in the Mopti region are aggravated by competition for natural resources between farmers and pastoralists, weak governance, the fragility of the State, inequality and widespread insecurity with the emergence of militias

Historically, in the Mopti region, conflicts between farmers and pastoralists are traditionally resolved by local customary mechanisms and traditional agreements (Djowro) for the management of pastures (bourgouttières) and agricultural land. Increasingly, however, the system for regulating access to pasture has collapsed or traditional authorities are restricting access. There is currently an acute competition between groups of pastoralists and between pastoralists, rice farmers and fishermen. As pastoralism conditions have deteriorated in the surrounding areas (on the plateaus and in the dry areas of the Seeno, Gurma and Mema rivers), pastoralists are now more numerous to move to the interior delta during the dry season which cannot no longer bear it. 

In order to reverse the degradation of natural resources, the deterioration of traditional management mechanisms and to mitigate the effects of climate change, inter-community conflicts and violent extremism, the government of Mali, with the help of its partners, the UNDP and the GEF, propose to develop a project on the sustainable management of natural resources (land, water, fish, pastures), reconstruction and strengthening of livelihoods for the consolidation of peace and social cohesion. 

It is within this framework (PPG), the UNDP is looking for a national consultant (NC) to assist an international consultant (IC) in supporting the Government of Mali to prepare a project document (ProDoc) in order to access funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through UNDP. 

Main objectives of the mission:

The objective for the specialist is to support the team leader in defining the activities of the project "Climate security and sustainable management of natural resources in the central regions of Mali for the consolidation of peace" in terms of adaptation to climate change, in particular in the area of ​​agriculture and ecosystem-based adaptation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of responsibilities / Scope of work:

The national expert in adaptation to climate change will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data from the baseline project in terms of adaptation to climate change, in particular in the field of agriculture and of ecosystem-based adaptation, under the leadership of the team leader. She / he will support the PPG team leader and other members in the preparation of all other analyzes (gender, safeguarding, livelihoods and private sector) during the preparation of the ProDoc.

Deliverables:

• Contribute to the inception report and support presentation and discussion during the inception workshop

Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews: Provide inputs and support required analyzes / studies as agreed with the PPG Team Leader, including:

• Report on the baseline situation. This report will include an analysis of the baseline situation in terms of adaptation to climate change, in particular in the area of ​​agriculture / Ecosystem-based adaptation. The report will provide an inventory and analysis of planned and ongoing programs, projects and activities relevant to the formulation and implementation of the project (at Mopti, Mali or regional level).
• Support stakeholder consultations and ensure that interviews are complete and exhaustive. In particular, identify and engage partners involved in climate risk and vulnerability assessments, including Mali Météo and research institutes (the Geographic Institute of Mali). Ensure the involvement of young people in the activities of the project;
• Based on stakeholder consultations and desk reviews, identify the successes and challenges of current and past initiatives and projects focusing on climate-smart agriculture, grassland / shrub and wetland restoration, especially in areas affected by conflict;
• Provide inputs for the preparation of the gender analysis and the project's innovation strategy and private sector engagement;
• Technically support safeguard studies in the areas of adaptation to climate change, in particular in terms of smart agriculture and ecosystem-based adaptation; 
• Support the identification of project sites for field activities (smart agriculture and restoration works), using criteria of vulnerability to climate and conflict, providing geographic analysis and documentation of selection criteria;
• Support the completion of any additional studies deemed necessary for the preparation of ProDoc and all other final products, by providing information, data and analysis in the area of ​​adaptation to climate change, in particular agriculture / Adaptation based on ecosystems.
• Under the direction of the team leader and with the participation of the team of consultants, discuss the results, products and activities of the project based on the results of the consultations and desk reviews;
• Formulate the appropriate indicators and results framework targets related to smart agriculture and ecosystem-based adaptation for the respective outputs and outcomes; collect baseline data for relevant indicators; choose the means of measurement; and define the objectives, the main risks and the assumptions linked to these indicators; 
• Assess options and priorities for increasing the climate change resilience of targeted communities. This will involve working with the private sector and innovation specialists to provide business opportunities to vulnerable households; 
• Support the team leader in the study review / validation workshop

Support the formulation of the project document and mandatory and project-specific annexes: Provide contributions from the perspective of adaptation to climate change and support the development of final deliverables of the PPG, as agreed with the Head of PPG team. 

Validation workshop: 

• Technically contribute to the validation workshop; and
• Support any necessary post-workshop revisions, if applicable.

Deliverables:

• Inception report and strategy with methodology and updated timeline 30% 5 days
• Report of preparatory studies and technical examinations 50% 40 days
• Report on relevant contributions to the project document and annexes 20% 10 days
• Total: 100% 55 days

Monitoring / Reporting Requirements

The national consultant:

• will work with a team of international and national consultants and under the guidance of the international consultant - PPG team leader
• Engage regularly with Supervisor, other team members and UNDP Country Office via email and Zoom / Teams / Skype as needed
• is bound by the duties of neutrality, confidentiality and reserve implied by his position as a consultant to UNDP.
• The deliverables will be approved by UNDP Mali.
• Duration of the assignment / or end date (if applicable): 55 days until October 2021
• Administrative arrangements: The national consultant will provide his workstation (laptop, Internet, telephone, scanner / printer, etc.) The national consultant will be based at home, with missions in Mopti; Travel expenses and any DSA incurred will be reimbursed by UNDP Mali.

Travel cost:

All contemplated travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to the duty station / repatriation trips. In general, UNDP should not accept higher travel costs than an economy class ticket. If the IC wishes to travel in a higher class, it must do so using its own resources.

Competencies

The national consultant must demonstrate proven capacities in terms of facilitation, teamwork and great adaptability. He will also have to:

• Demonstrates integrity by shaping the values ​​and ethical standards of the United Nations;
• Promote the vision, mission and strategic objectives of UNDP;
• Demonstrates sensitivity and adaptability in matters of culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
• Treat all people fairly without favoritism;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as to work collaboratively with a team;
• Ability to respond to customer requests constructively;
• Excellent proposal writing skills;
• Have a spirit of initiative;
• Be open and have a great listening capacity;
• Have the ability to work in a team and in a multicultural environment;
• Development and operational efficiency;
• Ability to support the identification, formulation, implementation of development programs and projects;

Experience and qualification requirements:

Education:

• Masters degree or higher degree in a relevant field, such as natural or environmental sciences, climate security, geography, smart agriculture or other relevant disciplines;

Languages:

• Fluency in fluent French is essential as well as excellent writing, synthesis and communication skills

Professional experience :

• At least 7 years of demonstrable experience in the technical field of adaptation to climate change, climate security, climate smart agriculture and in particular in agriculture and value chains of agricultural products in the context of climate change; including in the development and / or management, monitoring and evaluation of projects
• In-depth knowledge and past experience in Mali and the Mopti region or conflict zones are required;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and field research, in particular with local authorities, civil society, and other actors is required