ToR CommunityLiaison Officer

Implementation PRODOC

  1. BACKGROUND

In 2012Suriname re-engaged into a national REDD+ readiness process, after a first initiative in 2009/2010. It aims at getting ready to possibly enter a future international REDD+ mechanism that would compensate financially for national efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Suriname has formulated a five years plan to prepare the country for REDD+ (R-PP). In March 2013, Suriname presented its R-PP to the FCPF Participants Committee meeting (PC14), and received approval for a US$ 3.8M grant to support some of the preparatory activities towards REDD+. These funds from the FCPF will be implemented by UNDP, as delivery partner in Suriname, as core funding to the present project document.

REDD+ readiness process offers an opportunity for the Government of Suriname (GoS) to leverage efforts and results towards sustainable development. Learning from past experience, REDD+ already fostered openness, participation and transparency, improved data collection and analysis, national and multi-sectoral dialogue and cooperation. Key factors for REDD+ readiness success are fully consistent with and supportive to the efforts of the GoS and the United Nations strategy to promote more inclusive, fair, well-informed and robust, climate-compatible and sustainable development. There is obvious win-win potential to be tapped in Suriname between REDD+ and the overall development process. Thus, REDD+ can be seen as a tool to support and foster national dialogue with indigenous and maroon peoples, to strengthen its practice of democracy, to improve public effectiveness and accountability, governance, legislation and the business environment, to accelerate decentralization and to enhance regional and international stance, and diplomatic positioning.

  1. OVERALL SCOPE OF THE WORK

To implement the REDD+ Project Document (PRODOC), a Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established under the direct supervision of the General Director NIMOS (GDN), whereby NIMOS functions as the REDD+ coordinating body. A Project Coordinator will be responsible for daily coordination of the project and project support staff.

Under direct supervision of the Communication Officer, the Community liaison Officer will be responsible for liaising with the local communities in order to maintain good relationships between the communities and NIMOS.

The REDD+ CommunityLiaison Officer works in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator. He/She will also work in collaboration with Project Staff for the organization and execution of national, sectoral and local dialogues and planning and preparation of implementation of media plan. He/She will report to the Communication Officer.

The CommunityLiaison Officer will make records of the national, sectoral and locallevel dialogues involving the different REDD+ stakeholders as well as designing and implementing specific targeted public relations (PR) and media activities.

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

The liaison officer will:

  • Co-develop a strategy for the Improvement of stakeholder participation including Indigenous peoples and Maroons, Government, NGO’s, Private sector and industries, Youth and Children, Women, local authorities, workers and trade unions,farmers;
  • Regularly visit the villages to inform therefore remain of what lives and play;
  • Assist in the selection and Re-evaluation of REDD + assistants collective;
  • Assisting in the train the trainers for REDD + assistants’ collective;
  • Contribute to the knowledge / information provision of the REDD+ assistants collective (empowerment / capacity building);
  • Support to obtain the recognition of the REDD+ assistants within local communities.
  • Facilitate meetings betweenNIMOS and local communities;
  • Proactivelyidentify political,social and economic and technical problems within the local communities and report to NIMOS;
  • Function as the linking pin between NIMOS and local communities so that the interests of both parties are properly represented and balanced;
  • Assist, support and provide logistical support for the visits of the REDD+ assistants in local communities;
  • Plan, prepare and facilitate national, sectoral and local consultations and dialogues involving the different REDD+ stakeholders as well as REDD+ assistants training activities during the transition project;
  • Advise and assist Project Staff on aspects related consultation, dialogue, awareness, and stakeholder engagement;
  • Together with the Project Coordinator and Communications Officer produce regular evaluation reports regarding activities undertaken;
  • Assisting in providing input for development of awareness material for different target groups including government, general public, major groups collective and REDD+ assistants;
  • Assist the REDD+ Communications Officer in the preparation of education and training material developed by the REDD+ Technical officer for the continuation of training of REDD+ assistants;
  • Assist with developing material for engagement of stakeholders in general and specifically for target groups of the major groups collective;
  • Ensure that stakeholder participation follows guidelines appropriate for a participatory and equitable process; and
  • Any other tasks which are related to engagement of stakeholders and logistics

3. EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • At least five years of experience in Advocacy and Awareness regarding issues related to forest-dependent communities.
  • Previous experience in REDD+ related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector/consulting firm is a prerequisite.
  • Experience working with indigenous and/or maroon communities in Suriname, and in-depth knowledge about their cultural aspects, is a prerequisite.
  • Experience working with REDD+ assistants in Suriname is a strong advantage.
  • Active participation in community organizations of forest-dependent communities is an advantage.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PP, etc). Excellent written and verbal Dutch and English skills and verbal Sranan Tongo.
  1. COMPETENCIES
  • Demonstrate integrity by modeling values and ethical standards
  • Ability to express opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Previous experience in working with stakeholder engagement and consultation processes
  • Easily establishes good relationships with external partners and staff; builds wide and effective networks within the project scope, and with external parties
  • Working knowledge of Climate change and being updated in the ongoing global debate in climate change and basic knowledge of REDD+
  • Ability to operate, think and argue as a development professional
  • Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills
  • Demonstrate ability to create teams and promote teamwork
  • Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances
  • Analytical skills
  • Result oriented, flexible and problem solving skills
  1. ESTIMATED DURATION

1 year beginning in August2015

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