Objectives/Purpose of the Assignment
Provide professional services for the generation of technical information to support the development of an integrated restoration monitoring module that includes information from the environment and the agricultural sector and articulate statistical information between IDEAM, MADS, MADR, and other affiliated entities. The consultant will be part of the technical team of the Forest Monitoring System at IDEAM with experience in digital image processing applied to monitor the dynamics of the forest cover in Colombia.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the REDD+ Senior Associate of GGGI Colombia and the co-supervision of a Technical leader for the Forest and Carbon Monitoring System at IDEAM the Consultant will contribute to generating a technical framework for an integrated restoration monitoring module through the provision of technical deliveries in the following:
- Generate a detailed work plan and activities schedule established in agreement with the SMByC coordinator and DBBSE MADS.
- Identify relevant ongoing monitoring systems/modules for Colombia that generate or collect information related to Forest Restauration and its main objectives, operational schemes, functions, information requirements, and implementation challenges (SMByC, CARs, SINA Institutes, etc).
- Analyze databases and generate statistical reports of Forest Restoration Initiatives (CARs, ANLA, SUN-L, private sector, app tree counter, etc) that occurred in the past 10 years.
- Identify at International, National, and Subnational level best practices and technical requirements to establish a Forest Restoration Monitoring Module and how it can be related to the NDP goals and other scheme reports (Sinergia, SIAC, SNIF, RENARE, National Restoration Plan, Private Initiatives, etc.).
- Identify potential articulation options of a Restoration Monitoring Module with the network of permanent monitoring plots and the National Forestry Inventory.
- Support the digital image processing for the generation of the restoration process, regeneration, and/or change detection through the implementation of methodologies/algorithms developed by IDEAM in pilot areas with regional authorities.
- Develop a technical approach (protocol) for Forest Restoration Monitoring in Colombia as a complement to the current MRV system.
- Generate and/or update restoration reports for the periodicity and scales defined by the IDEAM in coordination with MADS.
- Support IDEAM and MADS with the reports of the overall NDP goal related to restoration.
- Participate, when required, in meetings, workshops, forums, or other spaces with public, private entities, NGOs, and/or private organizations.
Output/Reporting Requirements/Deliverables
The expected outputs are the following:
(1) Workplan
A complete workplan based and a detailed methodological approach must be prepared by the consultant.
(2) Ongoing Restoration Systems characterization report
The report must include information related to the ongoing monitoring systems/modules relevant to Colombia that generate or collect information related to Forest Restauration and its main objectives, operational schemes, functions, information requirements and implementation challenges. And the analysis of databases and statistical reports of Forest Restoration Initiatives (CARs, ANLA, SUN-L, private sector) that occurred in the past 10 years.
(3) Restoration Systems´ Best practices report
A document that summarizes the identification of International, National, and Subnational level best practices and technical requirements to establish a Forest Restoration Monitoring System and how it can be related to the NDP goals and other scheme reports (Sinergia, SIAC, SNIF, RENARE, National Restoration Plan, Private Initiatives, etc.).
(4) Integrated Restoration Module draft proposal
The report must present the analysis of the potential articulation options of a Restoration Monitoring Module with the network of permanent monitoring plots and the National Forestry Inventory and a Draft technical approach (protocol) for Forest Restoration Monitoring in Colombia as a complement to current MRV system.
(5) Integrated Restoration Module proposal
The document will include the final technical approach (protocol) for Forest Restoration Monitoring in Colombia as a complement to the current MRV system, a proposal for its implementation at the national and subnational level, and the evidence of the support provided on digital image processing for the generation of the restoration process, regeneration and/or change detection through the implementation of methodologies/algorithms developed by IDEAM in at least two pilot areas with regional authorities.
(6) Consultancy summary
A brief word document no longer than 10 pages and a PowerPoint Slide deck no longer than 5 slides summarizing the main outcomes of this consultancy will be developed by the consultant.
Products 1 and 6 must be produced in English and Spanish, while 2-5 will be developed in Spanish.
Reporting Arrangements
The consultant work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning, and weekly short face-to-face meetings for prioritizing of activities, all of the previous consensus with the Contract Supervisors (GGGI and IDEAM/MADS). In these reviews, meetings will be tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.
Supervision shall be provided by the REDD+ Senior Associate of GGGI Colombia and the co-supervision of the SMByC Coordinator at IDEAM, in order to ensure the timely and quality delivery of products outlined in the contractual objective. The final review and approval of activities and deliverables under the contract are to be made by the REDD+ Senior Associate of the GGGI Colombia team.
Deliverables 1 and 6 must be produced in English and Spanish and reports 2-5 must be written in Spanish, in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g. .docx, .pptx) in an external hard-disk and GGGI SharePoint system. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide sets of raw data, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.
Suggested methodology and competence requirements
The consultant should follow the specific methods provided by the Contract Supervisors. The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information for the development of activities defined under the contract objective. The consultant will always provide the information to the REDD+ Senior Associate of GGGI Colombia for review and approval, prior to taking final action.
Qualifications/Experience/Expertise
The Consultant should demonstrate the credentials described below.
- (MANDATORY) Must hold a valid Work Visa in Colombia
- (MANDATORY) Degree in Forest engineering, environmental engineering, or related engineering degree.
- (MANDATORY) A Postgraduate degree in GIS analysis. Proper management of GIS/Image processing software is a plus.
- (MANDATORY) A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in the field of geographical information systems, forestry studies, environmental zoning or environmental evaluation or monitoring. Also, research in forest products is a plus.
- (MANDATORY) A minimum of six years’ experience in the aforementioned fields when the applicant holds a postgraduate degree in the areas described above.
- (MANDATORY) Experience in Forest Restoration GIS analysis.
- (MANDATORY) A strong understanding of Colombia´s public institutions related with the forest sector is essential.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Proficiency in geospatial analysis tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, ERDAS,) is a plus.
- Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; capacity for synthesis, presentation, and communication; and strategic thinking skills
- Organized with excellent time management and attention to detail.
- Strong and mature interpersonal skills and proven ability to work with teams.
- Ability to work well under pressure and have a flexible approach to tasks given.
Additional Information
Contract duration: October 2020 – October 2021 (full-time)