Consultant at Wetlands International

The Niger Delta in Nigeria is the largest wetland in Africa and the third largest mangrove forest in the world. The region is known for its richness in biodiversity as well as its oil and gas resources. Wetland ecosystems play a critical role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in the delta. At the same time they are being degraded by unsustainable practices and a legacy of pollution and oil spills. Wetlands International with its regional offices is bringing new perspectives to the fields of biodiversity conversation and sustainable development, putting the conservation and restoration of wetlands at the center of achieving both livelihood and biodiversity improvements.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Project (SLBP), under Wetlands International - Shell Partnership, is developed with the aim to sustain and restore wetlands in Niger Delta. The project has three objectives. The objective of the first component is to demonstrate how restoration and/or conservation of wetlands can be linked to improved livelihood opportunities in local communities and engage local communities to integrate wetland values into development plans, with ambitions to enhance ecosystems and sustain livelihoods through incentive systems such as Bio-rights.

Wetlands International's Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Project (SLBP) is looking for a Consultant who understands the steps in implementing Bio-right approach an well versed with the community based microfinance sector in Niger Delta Region.

Job Position: Consultant

Location: Niger Delta

Job Description
Objectives of the Consultancy:
The main objective of the consultancy is to assist the Wetlands International's Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Project (SLBP) in designing an appropriate community-based financing mechanism such as Bio-rights that links restoration and/or conservation of wetland ecosystems to livelihood improvement of project communities, namely: Abobiri (Bayelsa State), Ajaetan (Delta State), Asarama (Rivers State) and Opume (Bayelsa State) communities.

Specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

• Examine and describe the entire community-based financial system through a savings "lens", focusing on the following two: 1. Client/community-level demand and 2) Micro-financial institutions that offer deposit facilities;
• Highlight lessons learnt from the implementation of the above named financial system (microfinance practices and experience in these communities);
• Describe the Bio-rights approach and dialogue with communities to explore community acceptance of this approach;
• Dialogue with the micro-credit institutions to explore the possibility (modalities) of reaching an agreement with them on the implementation of the Bio-right approach;
• Accurately analyze the opportunities and constraints to implementing Bio-right approach in each pilot project community, and
• Use all of the above information, in the production of a report with specifications on the Bio-rights approach adapted to the project community contexts.

Responsibilities and Tasks:
In order to achieve the above listed objectives and ensure adequate information exchange, although not limited, the Consultant's tasks are:

• Submission of a detailed proposal based on the above defined objectives, including the work plan and methodology;
• Read about and be well versed with the community-based microfinance sector in Niger Delta
• Region, including its members operations and practices;
• Prepare and deliver complete documents about the associated and concerned micro-finance institutions;
• Provide detailed and precise responses to comments and questions in relation to the modalities for implementing the Bio-rights approach in the project communities;
• Prepare a report with concrete guidance on the steps for implementing Bio-right approach in each pilot project community.

Deliverables:
Meet deadlines in delivering the following:

• Submit the draft report with specifications on the Bio-rights approach adapted to the project community contexts, including conclusions and recommendations;
• Submit a final report with specifications on the Bio-rights approach adapted to the project community contexts, including conclusions and recommendations.

Duration of the Assignment:

• The assignment should be a total of 14 working days. This includes: information collection, field visits to the targeted communities, drafting and finalizing of report. The assignment will begin once the agreement is signed.

Requirements
The Contractor should meet the following:

• Master's Degree, in Management, Finance, Economics or any related microfinance area;
• Minimum of 5 years experience in microfinance within the region or international preferably associated to a Microfinance Institution;
• Experience and knowledge in microfinance program managements, administration, operations management, risk management, internal auditing, and financial management;
• Proven ability to nurture a smooth working relationship with varied stakeholders (technical assistance providers, international donors, research agencies, etc.);
• Strong communication, public relations, organization and leadership skills;
• Mature and very energetic and dynamic;
• Sound knowledge of microfinance products and delivery mechanisms;
• Possess the ability to produce accurate and precise reports to top management level;
• Very competent with the use of computers;
• High proficiency in written and spoken English.

Application Closing Date
11th March, 2014.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send a cover letter and the list of human resources and their CV to WIA, Email: [email protected] with copy to [email protected]