Biodiversity and Landscaping Consultant

The Biodiversity and Landscaping Consultant will work under the French Embassy-funded project ‘Biodiversity in a Box - Bringing Nature Back to our City’, implemented by Mada Association in the in the neighborhoods affected by the Beirut Blast.

The Biodiversity and Landscaping Consultant is expected to work between 15 and 20 days from November 2023 to April 2024.

Consultancy Overview

The project will establish 30 Biodiversity Boxes for residential (and potentially office) buildings, to be maintained by the residents in a participatory manner. The Boxes will have numerous purposes ranging from: increasing awareness around the importance of biodiversity and green space in cities; bringing back traditional practices of cultivation of aromatic and edible plants; engaging neighbors and the community as a whole in a collaborative gardening experience for positive interactions and communal benefits; enhancing urban spaces that are increasingly lacking public and green spaces; and potentially ensuring some economic returns to the residents.

Main Tasks Responsibilities

1. Design of the Boxes: following the selection of the spaces where the boxes will be installed, the Consultant will:

• Support Mada to develop a plan for the boxes including size, shape, specifications.
• Develop plans (tailored per box) on the contents: species, varieties, and quantities.
• Support Mada in the procurement of the Planters, water equipment/tools, input kits ((soil, seedlings, seeds, natural fertilizer, basic tools).

2. Develop Crop Rotation Plans and Management Guidelines: In order to ensure sustainability and positive participation of the residents, two main plans will be developed per Biodiversity Box: (1) Crop Rotation Plans – following the principles of agroecology to ensure diversity and proper rotation ; and (2) Management Guidelines – including how the Boxes are managed, how the rotation of the focal point takes place, how decisions are taken, roles and responsibilities, and a plan for potentially income-generation if any crops are used for commercial purposes.
3. Follow-Up on Production and Maintenance: While the focal points of the buildings/locations and Mada will be ultimately responsible for maintenance and production, the Consultant is expected to support the follow-up to ensure maximization of production, high quality, and to provide constant advice and support, including during unforeseen pest outbreaks or weather conditions.
4. Support Mada in the Development and Dissemination of Case Study: Using the lessons learned and best practices gathered, a Case Study will be developed to present the model of the pilot and provide recommendations with clear Dos and Don’ts. This will consist of a precise and easily readable 1-2 pager with figures, pictures and graphics, to be disseminated to all relevant stakeholders including academics, donors, NGOs, authorities, nature enthusiasts, practitioners, scientists, among others. Ultimately, the hope will be for the project to be replicated in other neighborhoods and even cities across Lebanon.

Knowledge and Skills

• Mandatory Higher Education Degree in Biodiversity, Environmental Protection, Botany, Plant Biology, Ecology, or related fields
• At least 10 years of experience in similar missions/activities.
• Full adherence to Mada’s mission and vision, as well as Ethics Code.
• Experience working with NGOs in the development and environment sector is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, coordination and time-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluent in English and Arabic; French is a plus.
• Proactive, flexible and dynamic.
• Knowledge of the target area and its authorities and communities is a plus.