Description
Protected areas or natural parks are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organisations involved.
Short Term Assignments Bangladesh General Protected Areas Management, Tourism and Visitor Services Development, Facilities and Infrastructure Design and Development, and Community Involvement 2013?2015
OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) International Technical Assistance Program (ITAP) is seeking to establish a roster of specialists that are interested in participating in a new protected areas/tourism development project in Bangladesh. Please refer to the “Assignment” section below for the list of project components and subthemes. BACKGROUND: DOI?ITAP provides assistance to developing countries on subjects of Departmental expertise on a reimbursable basis. The program is currently operating across the globe with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the State Department, the World Bank, the Inter?American Development Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. DOI?ITAP has managed short? and long?term multi?partner projects in over 50 countries since 1995. Under the direction of USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program (DOI?ITAP) will work with the Bangladesh Forest Department, and other key stakeholders, to: reduce climate change vulnerability and public use threats to forests, parks, and game reserves managed by the Department; enhance the visitor experience; and assist in the education of visitors with the goal of building public support for protecting and strengthening the country’s remarkable natural resources. The basic purpose of this work is to carry out conservation activities at two targeted protected areas (Lawachara National Park and Teknaf Game Reserve) to promote sustainable, climate change?resilient forest ecosystems; while encouraging high?quality, low?impact visitor use of those protected areas to build support for conservation, with the involvement of the indigenous communities. The protected areas of Bangladesh are prime tourist destinations and they conserve the most significant remaining natural resources – in particular, forest resources ?? and cultural resources. These sites provide extensive opportunities to enhance conservation awareness with the general public and they provide numerous economic benefits to the surrounding communities. Thus, developing and managing a professional, efficient visitor support program, one that encompasses community needs, is a basic management approach. To this end, DOI?ITAP will to launch activities that will ultimately enhance the health of these forest resources and thus increase their resiliency to climate change by: a) improving the overall management of the country’s protected areas system, targeting forest resources in particular; and, b) focusing on developing the protected areas system as a prime tourist destination, and promoting community based tourism as an eco?friendly tool to enhance the livelihoods of local communities, and thus reduce or eliminate unsustainable public use pressure on forest resources. DOI?ITAP will work closely with in?country counterparts to develop a best practice, comprehensive approach to sustainable ecotourism development; one that can potentially be
exported throughout the country’s protected areas system. DOI?ITAP will prioritize capacity building exercises involving the Forest Department’s protected area management staff and key stakeholders, particularly those from the local communities. The primary focus of this DOI?ITAP project will fall under the overall umbrella of Integrating Tourism and Visitor Services into Protected Area Management, with associated major components that include: General Orientation, Tourism and Visitor Services Development, Facilities/Infrastructure Design and Development, and Community Involvement. ASSIGNMENT: ITAP is soliciting resumes for experts in the following themes (components). When applying please clearly note on your cover memo what component (s) and subtheme (s) you are applying for. Your name will be retained on our roster for consideration as appropriate opportunities surface throughout the life of the project, which is expected to last at least two years. Once you apply you will receive a note confirming that you are on the roster. If your contact information changes at any time, please let us know. Project components will include: a) Component 1: Briefing for senior protected areas staff on project activities, garnering input, as appropriate, into the design and delivery of training and technical assistance that will be provided to field staff during the life of the project. Orientation for field staff will include issues such as general protected areas management, integrating public use, climate change, management planning and zoning, ecotourism models, sustainability, leadership, partnerships, etc. Anticipated for Quarter 3 of 2013. b) Component 2: Tourism and Visitor Services Development. Activities may include delivering training or other agreed upon technical assistance under the subthemes of interpretation and environmental education, identifying and developing key messages for interpretation products, visitor management, law enforcement and visitor/resource protection, eco?guide and para?biologist training, and various outreach strategies. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 4 of 2013. c) Component 3: Facilities and Infrastructure Design and Development. Activities may include subthemes such as general sustainable facility planning/design, including siting of trails, directional signage, wayside exhibits, parking lots, entrances, and other subthemes. May include eco?friendly maintenance of facilities and development of waste management systems. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 2 of 2014. d) Component 4: Community Involvement. May include subthemes such as concessions management, small scale eco?friendly business development, youth engagement, working with gateway communities, developing special events, and creating a volunteer system. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 3 of 2014. SCHEDULE: Implementation activities for the Bangladesh project is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2013 and continue through at least the first quarter of 2015. Each technical assistance mission will consist of approximately 2?3 weeks in?country (excludes international travel time). The technical assistance missions will likely include time in the capitol of Dhaka and time in one or both of the following field sites: Lawachara National Park and Teknaf Game Reserve. PRE? AND POST?TRIP DUTIES: All travel and in?country logistics will be handled by DOI?ITAP and/or our in?country counterparts. Background material and briefings will be provided to the
selected individuals prior to departure. The selected individuals will be expected to work in collaboration with DOI?ITAP project managers and U.S. Embassy/USAID staff on the preparation and follow?up over phone and email to discuss technical aspects of the project. In addition to time in?country, specialists selected for assignments must be able to dedicate time to pre?trip planning (usually consists of a series of planning calls, reviewing relevant literature, and garnering requisite DOI travel approvals) and address any post?trip requirements, which typically entail a debrief call with DOI?ITAP managers and fine?tuning/finalizing any mission related work reports. Within three weeks of the completion of the trip, the individual will provide the DOI?ITAP managers a brief draft trip report of the trip events, evaluations made, and recommendations for future actions. The trip report may be in addition to other mission related work products. NPS travelers will also submit this report to their Office of International Affairs. COSTS: DOI?ITAP will cover all travel costs associated with this assignment (round?trip airfare, lodging, meals, medical insurance, immunizations, per diem, etc.). The salaries of the team members, however, will be paid by their employing DOI agency for the duration of the international assignment, including pre? and post?trip obligation. Approval of overtime or compensatory time is at the discretion of the employing DOI agencies. No stipends or other compensation is available for retiree candidates. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Competitive applicants for this assignment must: ? ? ? ? ? ? Be a current or retired employee of DOI; Have demonstrated, professional experience in at least one of the targeted components or subthemes, listed under “Assignment”; Experience in multiple components/subthemes, listed under “Assignment”, is a plus; Have demonstrated ability to work with and adapt to the needs and abilities of agencies and professionals of different ethnic or cultural groups; Please note if you are proficient in a non?English language; Previous international experience is desirable, particularly in Southeast or South Asia and/or an Islamic country.
Upon selection, candidates must submit a current physician?signed letter or medical review form indicating fitness for duty. If you are selected for this assignment you will be responsible for obtaining your supervisor's approval to participate in this program, as well as additional approvals up your supervisory chain of command as necessary (see below). HOW TO APPLY Persons interested in being considered for this international assignment must: ? Send a resume and cover letter summarizing direct, relevant work experience, related to the skills listed under application requirements. Please submit electronically to the following project managers: Marc Weitzel, DOI?ITAP Senior Advisor ([email protected], 805/671?9746) and Kim Forrest, FWS Wildlife Refuge
? ?
Manager (209/826?3508, [email protected]) with the subject: “Bangladesh: Component (s) XX, Subtheme (s) XX” If your supervisor has already given approval, please indicate this. All applications should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably before 07 June 2013. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Technical assistance details will be filled as the need surfaces throughout the life of the project.
Any and all questions can be directed to the contact information above for Marc Weitzel or Kim Forrest. NPS applicants should copy their applications to Rudy D’Alessandro ([email protected]) in the NPS Office of International Affairs. All NPS applicants must have the approval to apply from their Associate Director or Regional Director. ADs/RDs fully encourage qualified NPS staff to apply; securing the approval of the ADs/RDs before applying is intended to ensure that supervisory chains are aware of the potential for ITAP engagement. All BLM applicants should copy their applications to Olivia Sierra ([email protected]) in the BLM Office of International Affairs. All USGS applicants should copy their applications to Victor Labson ([email protected]), Director of the Office of International Programs. Employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement are required to have supervisory approval prior to submitting an application. Please note that ITAP travel does not require the use of a field office credit card and travel will not count towards ‘travel caps’. Application Process The entire selection process may take several weeks. A short list of candidates will be interviewed by telephone. All candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process by telephone, email or letter. The position is open to all applicants that meet the stated requirements. If applicants do not receive an email acknowledgement of receipt of their application, please inquire with the Project Managers listed above.
doc_465720954.pdf
Protected areas or natural parks are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organisations involved.
Short Term Assignments Bangladesh General Protected Areas Management, Tourism and Visitor Services Development, Facilities and Infrastructure Design and Development, and Community Involvement 2013?2015
OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) International Technical Assistance Program (ITAP) is seeking to establish a roster of specialists that are interested in participating in a new protected areas/tourism development project in Bangladesh. Please refer to the “Assignment” section below for the list of project components and subthemes. BACKGROUND: DOI?ITAP provides assistance to developing countries on subjects of Departmental expertise on a reimbursable basis. The program is currently operating across the globe with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the State Department, the World Bank, the Inter?American Development Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. DOI?ITAP has managed short? and long?term multi?partner projects in over 50 countries since 1995. Under the direction of USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program (DOI?ITAP) will work with the Bangladesh Forest Department, and other key stakeholders, to: reduce climate change vulnerability and public use threats to forests, parks, and game reserves managed by the Department; enhance the visitor experience; and assist in the education of visitors with the goal of building public support for protecting and strengthening the country’s remarkable natural resources. The basic purpose of this work is to carry out conservation activities at two targeted protected areas (Lawachara National Park and Teknaf Game Reserve) to promote sustainable, climate change?resilient forest ecosystems; while encouraging high?quality, low?impact visitor use of those protected areas to build support for conservation, with the involvement of the indigenous communities. The protected areas of Bangladesh are prime tourist destinations and they conserve the most significant remaining natural resources – in particular, forest resources ?? and cultural resources. These sites provide extensive opportunities to enhance conservation awareness with the general public and they provide numerous economic benefits to the surrounding communities. Thus, developing and managing a professional, efficient visitor support program, one that encompasses community needs, is a basic management approach. To this end, DOI?ITAP will to launch activities that will ultimately enhance the health of these forest resources and thus increase their resiliency to climate change by: a) improving the overall management of the country’s protected areas system, targeting forest resources in particular; and, b) focusing on developing the protected areas system as a prime tourist destination, and promoting community based tourism as an eco?friendly tool to enhance the livelihoods of local communities, and thus reduce or eliminate unsustainable public use pressure on forest resources. DOI?ITAP will work closely with in?country counterparts to develop a best practice, comprehensive approach to sustainable ecotourism development; one that can potentially be
exported throughout the country’s protected areas system. DOI?ITAP will prioritize capacity building exercises involving the Forest Department’s protected area management staff and key stakeholders, particularly those from the local communities. The primary focus of this DOI?ITAP project will fall under the overall umbrella of Integrating Tourism and Visitor Services into Protected Area Management, with associated major components that include: General Orientation, Tourism and Visitor Services Development, Facilities/Infrastructure Design and Development, and Community Involvement. ASSIGNMENT: ITAP is soliciting resumes for experts in the following themes (components). When applying please clearly note on your cover memo what component (s) and subtheme (s) you are applying for. Your name will be retained on our roster for consideration as appropriate opportunities surface throughout the life of the project, which is expected to last at least two years. Once you apply you will receive a note confirming that you are on the roster. If your contact information changes at any time, please let us know. Project components will include: a) Component 1: Briefing for senior protected areas staff on project activities, garnering input, as appropriate, into the design and delivery of training and technical assistance that will be provided to field staff during the life of the project. Orientation for field staff will include issues such as general protected areas management, integrating public use, climate change, management planning and zoning, ecotourism models, sustainability, leadership, partnerships, etc. Anticipated for Quarter 3 of 2013. b) Component 2: Tourism and Visitor Services Development. Activities may include delivering training or other agreed upon technical assistance under the subthemes of interpretation and environmental education, identifying and developing key messages for interpretation products, visitor management, law enforcement and visitor/resource protection, eco?guide and para?biologist training, and various outreach strategies. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 4 of 2013. c) Component 3: Facilities and Infrastructure Design and Development. Activities may include subthemes such as general sustainable facility planning/design, including siting of trails, directional signage, wayside exhibits, parking lots, entrances, and other subthemes. May include eco?friendly maintenance of facilities and development of waste management systems. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 2 of 2014. d) Component 4: Community Involvement. May include subthemes such as concessions management, small scale eco?friendly business development, youth engagement, working with gateway communities, developing special events, and creating a volunteer system. Anticipated to begin in Quarter 3 of 2014. SCHEDULE: Implementation activities for the Bangladesh project is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2013 and continue through at least the first quarter of 2015. Each technical assistance mission will consist of approximately 2?3 weeks in?country (excludes international travel time). The technical assistance missions will likely include time in the capitol of Dhaka and time in one or both of the following field sites: Lawachara National Park and Teknaf Game Reserve. PRE? AND POST?TRIP DUTIES: All travel and in?country logistics will be handled by DOI?ITAP and/or our in?country counterparts. Background material and briefings will be provided to the
selected individuals prior to departure. The selected individuals will be expected to work in collaboration with DOI?ITAP project managers and U.S. Embassy/USAID staff on the preparation and follow?up over phone and email to discuss technical aspects of the project. In addition to time in?country, specialists selected for assignments must be able to dedicate time to pre?trip planning (usually consists of a series of planning calls, reviewing relevant literature, and garnering requisite DOI travel approvals) and address any post?trip requirements, which typically entail a debrief call with DOI?ITAP managers and fine?tuning/finalizing any mission related work reports. Within three weeks of the completion of the trip, the individual will provide the DOI?ITAP managers a brief draft trip report of the trip events, evaluations made, and recommendations for future actions. The trip report may be in addition to other mission related work products. NPS travelers will also submit this report to their Office of International Affairs. COSTS: DOI?ITAP will cover all travel costs associated with this assignment (round?trip airfare, lodging, meals, medical insurance, immunizations, per diem, etc.). The salaries of the team members, however, will be paid by their employing DOI agency for the duration of the international assignment, including pre? and post?trip obligation. Approval of overtime or compensatory time is at the discretion of the employing DOI agencies. No stipends or other compensation is available for retiree candidates. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Competitive applicants for this assignment must: ? ? ? ? ? ? Be a current or retired employee of DOI; Have demonstrated, professional experience in at least one of the targeted components or subthemes, listed under “Assignment”; Experience in multiple components/subthemes, listed under “Assignment”, is a plus; Have demonstrated ability to work with and adapt to the needs and abilities of agencies and professionals of different ethnic or cultural groups; Please note if you are proficient in a non?English language; Previous international experience is desirable, particularly in Southeast or South Asia and/or an Islamic country.
Upon selection, candidates must submit a current physician?signed letter or medical review form indicating fitness for duty. If you are selected for this assignment you will be responsible for obtaining your supervisor's approval to participate in this program, as well as additional approvals up your supervisory chain of command as necessary (see below). HOW TO APPLY Persons interested in being considered for this international assignment must: ? Send a resume and cover letter summarizing direct, relevant work experience, related to the skills listed under application requirements. Please submit electronically to the following project managers: Marc Weitzel, DOI?ITAP Senior Advisor ([email protected], 805/671?9746) and Kim Forrest, FWS Wildlife Refuge
? ?
Manager (209/826?3508, [email protected]) with the subject: “Bangladesh: Component (s) XX, Subtheme (s) XX” If your supervisor has already given approval, please indicate this. All applications should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably before 07 June 2013. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Technical assistance details will be filled as the need surfaces throughout the life of the project.
Any and all questions can be directed to the contact information above for Marc Weitzel or Kim Forrest. NPS applicants should copy their applications to Rudy D’Alessandro ([email protected]) in the NPS Office of International Affairs. All NPS applicants must have the approval to apply from their Associate Director or Regional Director. ADs/RDs fully encourage qualified NPS staff to apply; securing the approval of the ADs/RDs before applying is intended to ensure that supervisory chains are aware of the potential for ITAP engagement. All BLM applicants should copy their applications to Olivia Sierra ([email protected]) in the BLM Office of International Affairs. All USGS applicants should copy their applications to Victor Labson ([email protected]), Director of the Office of International Programs. Employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement are required to have supervisory approval prior to submitting an application. Please note that ITAP travel does not require the use of a field office credit card and travel will not count towards ‘travel caps’. Application Process The entire selection process may take several weeks. A short list of candidates will be interviewed by telephone. All candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process by telephone, email or letter. The position is open to all applicants that meet the stated requirements. If applicants do not receive an email acknowledgement of receipt of their application, please inquire with the Project Managers listed above.
doc_465720954.pdf