TONGA: LEAD CONSULTANT
JOB DETAIL
TONGA: LEAD CONSULTANT
INTRODUCTION TO GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Project: Lead Consultant
- Duty Station: Preferably in Tonga or in Pacific Region
- Contract Duration: 1 October 2023 – 31 May 2024
- Number of Work Days Estimated (internal purpose only): 45 person days
- Consultant Level: Level 5 (USD 450/day)
- Total Fees: USD 20,250
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international organization headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea. GGGI supports its members and partner countries to transition to a model of green growth, which is economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. The organization’s strategic direction is driven by its 43 Members, including five Pacific Island Countries (PICs): Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu. GGGI also works with all 14 PICs through its broader Pacific Regional Programs, and to date has actively provided technical support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. During Phase III of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, GGGI is supporting a number of country requests across PICs to assist countries in NDC implementation, capacity building, transparency in reporting as well as strengthening institutional settings.
GGGI is supporting Tonga’s preparation to conduct a National Forest Inventory. The proposed work will extend FAO’s Technical Support for National Forest Inventory, which was completed in 2022. Under FAO’s Technical Support for National Forest Inventory 2019-2022, the following two outputs have been carried out:
- Improved technical knowledge and skills for 20 core Government staff on land forest assessment, monitoring and reporting.
- Best forest inventory methodology, practice and technologies for Tonga identified, discussed, documented and pilot sites established, and field tested.
While the first output has been completed under FAO’s support, the second output was only partially achieved because of delays in provision of training and COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Following completion of the training program, insufficient time remained to enable the pilot testing of forest inventory methodologies and practices.
As per Tonga’s request, following two activities will be carried out under Regional Pacific NDC Hub’s Phase III:
- Activity 1: Pilot testing of forest inventory methodologies and practices
Under activity 1 the best forest inventory methodology for Tonga will be identified, discussed, documented and pilot sites will be established, and field test will be completed.
- Activity 2: Field testing by selecting pilot sites.
Under this activity 2, pilot test of forest inventory methodologies and practices will be executed.
The pilot site selection and testing of selected methodology will assist Tonga in conducting National Forest Inventory. In particular, selection of pilot is to test feasibility of implementation (e.g., are the plots too large/too small, what field conditions may impact the ability to collect data), to determine amount of time required to measure a field plot, assess the variability within plots to determine whether they are large enough to adequately capture the variability, etc.).
In implementing these activities, GGGI is recruiting a Lead Consultant, potentially based in Tonga to support key activities in Tonga, including, but not limited to, leading the two activities with defined activities and outputs.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Lead Consultant will coordinate closely with GGGI offices in the Pacific and Department of Forest, Tonga. The Lead Consultant will support GGGI in delivering the following activities:
- Stock-take from FAO’s work on best forest inventory methodology, practice and technologies for Tonga identified, discussed, documented and pilot sites established.
- Organize a pre-inventory workshop (in-person in Tonga) to determine most suitable methodologies and practices to assess Tonga’s land, forest and tree resources;
- Based on the results of the above workshop, compile forest inventory manual/guidelines;
- Train selected staff on the most suitable and cost-effective forest inventory methodologies and practices.
- Pilot test forest inventory methodology and practices
- Select forest site(s)
- Organize teams (amongst trained selected staff) to carry out field sampling and data collection.
- Pilot test forest inventory methodologies and practices on selected site(s);
All activities will be conducted upon consultation with respective stakeholders and in compliance with Tonga’s traditional and customary norms and standards, rules and regulatory frameworks.
Lead Consultant will work closely with CFAN advisor, Senior Officer – MRV and NDC Enhancement, Department of Forestry, Tonga and others as required.
DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Deliverables will be in accordance with the Project Work plan timeline. Deliverables will be reviewed by GGGI and Department of Forest, Tonga.
Payment schedule:
| Deliverables | Timetable | Payments for fees subject to acceptance of deliverable by GGGI and Department of Forest |
| Deliverable 1 – Project Plan with Stock-take from FAO’s work – detailed project plan, stock take report from FAO’s work delivered (including online training, training materials, forest inventory manual/guidelines). | 30 October 2023 | 20% 4050 |
| Deliverable 2 – Selection of forest site for piloting forest inventory methodologies and practices – report including approach and site details. | 15 December 2023 | 20% 4050 |
| Deliverable 3 – Organize teams (amongst trained selected staff) to carry out field sampling and data collection. | 28 Feb 2024 | 20% 4050 |
| Deliverable 4 – Pilot test forest inventory methodologies and practices on pilot sites – report, data and information. | 30 March 2024 | 40% 8100 |
- All deliverables, reports, data and information, and other documents prepared or received from the stakeholders from the start to the end of the assignment shall be saved in MS Teams Platform created by GGGI.
- The Lead Consultant shall submit each deliverable report in electronic versions readable by a Microsoft Office application.
- All outputs must be in English.
EXPERTISE REQUIRED
The Lead Consultant must:
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in Forestry, GIS, Environment, Climate Change, Economics, or any other relevant field.
- At least 8 years of work experience.
- Experience in forest inventories, forest mapping, forest carbon stock, GIS together with stakeholder engagement, and consultations.
- Knowledge of Pacific Islands Countries national circumstances or direct working experience in the Pacific Islands Countries will be an asset.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and prioritization skills are essential.
- Ideally located in Tonga or in the Pacific Region.
ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
The Lead Consultant will ensure:
- Availability during the project period.
- No conflict of interest arises while taking this assignment.
