Project Title_ Supporting Sustainable Ecosystem by Strengthening the Effectiveness of Dominica’s Protected Area System
Background
Morne Trois Piton National Park (MTPNP) was designated as a National Park under the National Parks ND Protected Areas Act # 16 of 1975. MTPNP includes large highly scenic tracts of the most extensive almost undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles and the headwaters of most of the major streams and rivers in the southern half of the island. These support a high level of biodiversity. The Park lies within a Conservation International- designated Conservation Hotspot, a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity and a Bird Life-designated Endemic Bird Area. In 2011 the Revised Management plan recommended the following proposed buffer zone for the MTPNP WHS consisting of the establishment of a 305m buffer in the northern area of the park in the Pont Casse areas where approved building development has been granted to land owners. In other areas of the park a 200 m buffer was recommended.
Noting the challenges faced by the communities on the edge of MTPNP and the threat that poses to the protection of MTPNP, the Government of Dominica initiated the project Supporting Sustainable Ecosystem by Strengthening the Effectiveness of Dominica’s Protected Area System. The project aims to demonstrate a model for effective integrated landscape management encompassing the strengthening of an existing PA (Morne Trois Pitons National Park) and establishment of its buffer zone in order to reduce threats to biodiversity and ecological functioning. The project has the following two components_
Component 1_ Strengthening the core zone management of Protected Areas at systemic level and scale up innovative interventions at core zone of selected PAs to improve Sustainability.
Component 2: Establish and manage Buffer Zone as a key component of National Protected Area System and select experiences to be scaled up beyond the buffer zone
Activity Description
- Identify and define the boundaries of the buffer zone through studies and consultations that develop indicators and criteria for the buffer zone designation processes and address ecological conditions, watersheds, key species, land uses, socioeconomic conditions of communities, and land tenure in an area outside of the MTPNP boundaries of an estimated 2,000 hectares. Incorporate Pond Casse site development plans into the designation process, carry out additional studies as needed (building on the 2011 buffer zone plan), and conduct extensive stakeholder consultations to identify development priorities and conservation strategies that address critical threats to biodiversity and ecological functioning
- Demarcate the buffer zone with signposts. The project will ensure that the buffer zone areas are officially established under existing laws and regulations, and then demarcated and signposted. Boundary areas of the MTPNP requiring demarcation will also be signposted.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- The consultant will conduct a literature review of documents to include the MTNP Management Plan and the 2011 Buffer Zone Plan to understand the Park and the recommendations for the buffer zone
- Conduct a reconnaissance of the area being considered for the buffer zone and visit the communities around the MTNP to understand the socioeconomic conditions of communities and land tenure in the and around the park.
- The consultant will submit weekly/monthly progress reports to the Project Coordinator and the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment.
- The consultant will work with a team of people to be comprised of_
- 4 cutlass men
- 1 chainsaw operator
- 1 surveyor
- 1 Team leader /Technician
- Work with the Physical Planning Division to look at plans such as the Pond Casse site development plan to understand how it would integrate with the buffer zone
- Work with the Forestry Division and the Lands and Surveys Division to produce a report to identify and define the boundaries of the buffer zone to include maps
- Demarcation with sign posts to be done in collaboration with the Forestry Division for guidance
- Submit a report to include consultations held throughout the process, a final report identifying and defining the boundaries of the buffer zone for the MTNP with indicators and criteria for the buffer zone designation process to include maps
Consultant should submit a brief technical proposal and a brief financial proposal when applying for the position.
Qualifications & Experience
- A university degree (Bachelors or higher) in Land Survey, Geography, Planning, Management or similar discipline
- At least 5 years of experience in Natural Resource Management, Land use or Forest Management.
- At least 5 years of professional experience related to land surveying
- Experience working with land owners, farmers and or squatter communities
- Demonstrated leadership ability and technical ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing
- Knowledge of Dominica’s social structure and development challenges
Payment Schedule_
- 10% upon receipt and approval of work plan with time lines and methodology (2 weeks)
- 20% upon receipt and approval of a report with consultations held with the stakeholders/land owners ensuring that they understand the importance of the buffer zone and its implications (1 month)
- 20% upon receipt of a report from consultations held with the Forestry Division and Physical Planning Division (2 months)
- 30% Upon receipt and approval of a draft report identifying and defining the boundaries of the MTNP buffer zone to include maps and pictures of work completed (4 months)
- 20% upon a final approved report to include consultations held throughout the process, a final report identifying and defining the boundaries of the buffer zone for the MTNP to include final maps. Consultant must provide concrete evidence of demarcation of the buffer zone (6 months)
Consultant should work in close collaboration with consultants on the SSE Project namely the Land Tenure Specialist, The GIS Specialist, Community Resource Management Specialist, Biodiversity Firm and Legislation Specialist to maximize outputs and reduce overlap.
Language Requirements_
• Excellent English, both written and oral