Background

The Philippines is the world’s second largest archipelago, consisting of 7,107 islands covering 30 million hectares of land territory. It is part of the Southeast Asian region, located in the westernmost side, facing the Pacific Ocean. The country’s complex geological history, long periods of isolation from major continents, and unique climatic conditions produced a wide variety of land and water forms, thus giving rise to high levels of biodiversity and endemism. As a tropical country, it is endowed with high valued dipterocarp forests, other forest ecosystem types, expansive coral reef, and rich marine life and resources.

The ancestry of the Philippines is just as diverse, comprising more than a hundred ethno linguistic groups distributed along the country’s fragile ecosystems. The NCIP estimates the population of indigenous peoples in the Philippines between 12 and 15 million (or 12-15% of the total population) distributed into approximately 100 different indigenous cultural communities (ICCs).

It is estimated that in the Philippines, the overlap between PAs and ancestral domains is 1,440,000 hectares, or about 26% of the total PA estate; while the overlap between KBAs and CADTs can reach about 1,345,198 hectares (involving 91 CADTs in 65 KBAs). This means that 29% of the entire area of KBAs requiring protection falls into territories occupied by indigenous peoples. Moreover, spatial analysis showed that in KBAs that are not covered by PAs, ancestral domains is the de facto governance regime, and that in these areas – the governance by IP communities have contributed to the continued protection of existing forest cover, despite the absence of PA. Globally, in areas where IPs continue the protection of existing forest cover is called ICCAs. ICCAs present a long history of conservation and sustainable use that is much older than the government-managed protected areas. Indigenous peoples and local communities, both sedentary and mobile, have for millennia played a critical role in conserving a variety of natural environments and species. ICCA is not a new concept to indigenous peoples, including in the Philippines, where the indigenous peoples generally term their territories as ancestral domains. As such, indigenous peoples areas do not refer only to hectarage or physical features.

To further support the management of ICCAs, the DENR-BMB will be implementing a Project entitled “Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories”. It aims to strengthen the conservation, protection and management of key biodiversity sites in the Philippines by institutionalizing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs) as a sustainable addition to the national PA estate. Hence, to ensure that the objectives under this Project are implemented accordingly, a project management unit was set-up in the Biodiversity Management Bureau. The unit will include a Project Support Officer as one of its key staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the Project Support Officer will be responsible for coordinating and providing technical assistance in facilitating the organization of BUKLURAN. He/she will assist in the implementation of the activities identified in the BUKLURAN 2019 Work and Financial Plan.

He/she will support the Project Management Unit in coordinating the BUKLURAN activities under the Philippine ICCA Project. He/she will support the Project Management Unit in complying with reportorial requirements of UNDP, DENR, and other agencies. He/she will also support the Project Management Unit and partners in fulfilling the Project targets concerning the strengthening of BUKLURAN capacities.

The Project Support Officer shall have the following responsibilities:

• Assist the BUKLURAN Convener in facilitating the organization of BUKLURAN. This include performing the following tasks:
• Set-up the BUKLURAN Secretariat and its Office;
• Set-up the meetings and workshops of BUKLURAN's Steering Committee Members;
• Facilitate communication and coordination between and among BUKLURAN's Steering Committee Members and partner indigenous peoples' organizations, government agencies, international organizations and funders; and other civil society organizations; and
• Assist BUKLURAN increase its membership to at least 22 indigenous peoples' organizations.

Assist in the implementation of the activities identified in the BUKLURAN 2019 Work and Financial Plan

• Prepare the activity design for each training (concept, objectives, budgetary requirements, supplies needed);
• Identify the participants, resource persons, and facilitators;
• Coordinate and organize logistical arrangements for the activities
• Implement / lead the conduct of activities
• Coordinate and spearhead BUKLURAN cross - visits.

Assist in the management of BUKLURAN, including the following:

• Prepare project proposals;
• Prepare BUKLURAN’s Annual Work and Financial Plan;
• Gather, verify, and analyze information affecting the BUKLURAN's performance within one-year period; and
• Review work practices and adapt them to optimize efficiency

Provide technical assistance in the following:

• Conduct orientation on ICCA concepts and processes for ICCA declaration, recognition, and registration;
• Prepare inputs for working papers and other materials; and
• Prepare position papers on ICCA recognition.

Assist in raising funds for the operations of BUKLURAN, including, but not limited to the following purposes:

• Hiring of additional BUKLURAN Secretariat Staff;
• Conducting the BUKLURAN General Assembly;
• BUKLURAN's capacity building and training activities;
• Implementation of the BUKLURAN Five-Year Development Plan; and
• Sustainability of BUKLURAN beyond the Project period.

Ensure the documentation of all BUKLURAN activities

• Document meetings of the Steering Committee/ Board of Trustees;
• Transcribe, edit, analyze and summarize proceedings;
• Translate proceedings in a language indigenous leader understand;
• Package the proceedings into two reports: English and Tagalog
• Print and distribute the Reports; and
• Organizing and keeping records of meetings.

Assist in establishing linkages and network with partners, including but not limited to the following:

• the Philippine ICCA Project Management Unit for the conduct of all ICCA activities;
• partner communities of the Philippine ICCA Project;
• the DENR, the NCIP, DILG, HLURB, DA-BFAR and other relevant agencies for the recognition of ICCAs;
• national and international conservation groups; and
• support NGOs, solidarity groups, and donor partners.

Perform any other tasks as maybe assigned from time to time by the BUKLURAN Convener, BUKLURAN Steering Committee, and the Project Manager of the Philippine ICCA Project.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies:

• Experience working on issues around indigenous peoples, biodiversity conservation
• Strong ability to share complex information simply and clearly
• Has excellent knowledge and skills in producing effective communication materials
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills working with civil society groups, government agencies, and community-based organizations
• Experience in partner coordination and management
• Experience in organizing training, workshops, seminars
• Hands-on experience in report writing, analytical pieces, desirable
• Experience working in a government agency and/or UNDP project, desirable
• Can work well under pressure
• Cultural sensitivity in dealing with indigenous peoples
• Highly organized, takes initiative, works autonomously
• Strong attention to details
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver projects within assigned deadlines
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University degree in Development Communication and/or other related social science field

Experience:

• Has 3 – 5 years of experience in doing managing project with indigenous people’s issues and concerns; preferably indigenous person (IP)
• Experience in organizational development, program planning, project planning and implementation, research and documentation, policy advocacy and engagement, writing, presentation, facilitation, networking and coordination is an advantage.
• Must be a member of an IP community in the Philippines

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English; well versed in national language.

Source:https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=20404&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2