Mauritius From Ridge to Ridge

Technical assistance for (1) Assessment of invasive alien plant species management in Mauritius; and (2) Design and Formulation of a Biodiversity Stewardship Programme through the adoption of an incentive (monetary and non-monetary) tool box to support the Ridge to Reef approaches to management of forests and other natural ecosystems in Mauritius

Mauritius is commitment towards the Paris Agreement and towards the global efforts to address climate change. The Government has adopted a series of national policies, including a National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework which provides the basis for mainstreaming climate change and disaster risk reduction into core development policies, strategies and plans.

The restoration of forests is one of the priority mitigation actions of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and its 2021 revised version. By restoring the degraded native forests, the action also has the merit of simultaneously halting acute biodiversity loss caused by loss of natural habitats for several endemic plants and animals.

However, A diverse suite of invasive alien plants is threatening all the remaining fragments of native forests. With poor controls on the spread of these alien plants on both state and private land, many have undergone population explosions.

I. ASSESSMENT OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN MAURITIUS

I.1. Global objective: By optimising the contribution of land to climate change mitigation and adaptation, preservation of biodiversity and food security, the global objective is to assist the Republic of Mauritius in meeting its commitments taken at international instances, notably the Convention of Biological Diversity, the Paris Agreement and the Ramsar Convention.

I.2 Specific objective(s) Assist Government of Mauritius in the preservation and restoration of its native forest through a cost- effective and eco-friendly/sustainable method of eradication of alien invasive species in line with Biosphere guidelines.

II. FORMULATION BIODIVERSITY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMME

II.1 Global objective By optimising the contribution of land to climate change mitigation and adaptation, preservation of biodiversity and food security, the action has an as global objective to assist the Republic of Mauritius in meeting its commitments taken at international instances, notably the Convention of Biological Diversity, the Paris Agreement and the Ramsar Convention.

II.2 Specific objective(s). Assist Government of Mauritius in the development of a Biodiversity Stewardship Programme for the promotion of Reef to Ridge approach to manage forests and other natural ecosystems with the goal of increasing the land under protected areas network. This will involve preservation and restoration of its native forest through a cost-effective and eco-friendly/sustainable methods of eradication of alien invasive species in line with Biosphere guidelines.

Lead on the development and implementation of strategies for flora restoration on mainland and other protected islets and contribute to other relevant strategies; Participate in meetings, workshops, and presentations in support of NPCS’s and EU’s conservation priorities; Ensure reporting to EU Delegation and the NPCS, coordinating the team, contributing to the specific technical activities and assuring the quality, timing and comprehensiveness of the assignment’s deliverables

At least a Master's degree in natural resources management, biological sciences or any related subject

Good communication and report writing skills in English, both oral and written

General professional experience: Minimum 12 years of general professional experience with demonstrated experience working in the invasive plant species management field.

Specific professional experience: • Minimum of 5 years’ specific experience in assessing invasive species control techniques and managing invasive plant species for natural resources management • Minimum of 5 years’ specific experience delivering training in invasive plant species management including risk assessment • Proven experience working in the related domain in tropical countries • Knowledge and experience in ecosystem restoration in natural resources management including for biodiversity protection • Demonstrable experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating delivery/work plans • Experience in the design, planning, implementation, and management of forest conservation and restoration projects • A knowledge of and, ideally, experience of implementing, the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation is desirable • People management, coaching and capacity building/development skills • GIS skills • Strong skills in project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation • Excellent report writing skills

The following will be considered as plus points: • Experience in delivering training • Experience working in the related domain in tropical countries • Good knowledge of the CBD • A knowledge of and, ideally, experience of implementing, the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation • People management, coaching and capacity building/development skills • GIS skills • Strong skills in project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation

The expert has the responsibility of contributing to the report of the team Leader. contribute to the specific technical activities and assure the quality, timing and comprehensiveness of the assignment’s deliverable

At least a Master's degree in Environmental Economics or related subject

Good communication and report writing skills in English, both oral and written

General professional experience: Minimum 12 years of general professional experience with demonstrated experience working in the environmental economics field.

Specific professional experience: • Minimum of 5 years’ specific experience in devising environmental schemes or financial incentives in forest, natural ecosystem or protected areas management • Proven experience working in the related domain in tropical countries • Good knowledge of the CBD