1. Project Background
The project, Sustainable Finance of Papua New Guinea’s Protected Area Network, will extend Government of PNG’s ability to fulfil its protected area mandate and implement the Protected Area Policy: (i) secure stable and long-term financial resources for the management of protected areas across the country; (ii) ensure that these financial resources are allocated to contribute to improving effectiveness of the management of the protected areas across the country; and (iii) ensure that they are managed cost-effectively and efficiently with respect to their conservation and other complementary development objectives. In recognition of this need, the project will assist with the development of a diversified mix of conventional and innovative funding sources and consolidate revenues to finance the ongoing costs of establishing and managing protected areas, and assist the Government to establish a Biodiversity Fund – that will be built on a secure, accountable and transparent financial mechanism, for receiving, administering and disbursing funds. The project will, therefore, result in a system that will provide catalytic and long-term financial support that will lead to stable ecosystems (both within and outside of protected areas), coupled with the social transformations to make that happen (including transforming institutions to become supporters/facilitators of that process, and the establishment of long-term partnerships).
The Communications Consultant will ensure that the progress, results and outputs of the project are communicated effectively both internally, with stakeholders within PNG, and externally, with the international conservation finance community. S/he will be responsible for production and dissemination of communication materials related to project activities, outputs, results and missions. S/he will be working closely with the project team and the UNDP PNG Country Office to provide targeted and consistent high-level exposure for the project.
2. Objective
The objective of the consultancy is to develop and implement the Communications Strategy for the project, developing outputs which assist to effectively communicate the project progress and results with its stakeholders, nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the project will support the establishment of a Biodiversity Fund in PNG. The consultant will be expected to develop and manage the website for the Fund, as well as its communication materials.