Sustainable Development Goals
The Challenge
The Fundasaun Haburas Moris (FHM) needed a Project Management Mentor to support the management for the long-term “Inclusive Social Forestry with small-holder farmers in Timor-Leste” project, which they are undertaking in conjunction with Value Network Ventures Advisory Services (VNV). The project is establishing sustainable agroforestry systems through carbon finance and includes maintenance and monitoring of the agroforestry systems to ensure long term survival.
Located near the Indonesian border, the majority of Maliana’s population is heavily dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. For these farming communities (who make up 80% of Timor-Leste’s population), deforestation poses a real threat to their rural livelihoods. Reforestation offers a way to combat land degradation and adapt to climate change with more resilient landscapes and incomes.
How We’re Helping
The project is providing farmers with seedlings of suitable agroforestry species to plant on their lands by using various agroforestry models. The species selected for the project will be species that will contribute to the farmers’ livelihood or food security and include species for timber, fruit, medicine and other important needs.
This will help generate higher nutritional status, overall community empowerment in addition to fostering protection and enhancement of local and regional ecosystems and biological diversity.
FHM requested a person who could integrate into the organisation and help build capacity as a peer/ colleague, from within.
Richard Murphy, accompanied by his wife Ursula, will assist to embed best practice and sustainable procedures into management systems and support all aspects of organisational development. His role will include:
- Providing coaching and mentoring to FHM staff on project management processes
- Guiding FHM staff in designing and developing appropriate project management activities, data collection tools and M&E frameworks
- Working with FHM staff to strengthen communication and reporting relationships between and amongst stakeholders
- Producing reports for donors
Is the Project Sustainable?
Richard’s demonstrated experience in project management role and strong organisational and communication skills will build the local capacity by providing coaching and mentoring to FHM staff on project management processes. His has the ability to gently persist with multiple tasks in an environment of change where work practices and pace of work are different from metropolitan societies and where many interruptions and delays will occur. By guiding FHM staff in designing and developing appropriate project management activities, data collection tools and M&E frameworks he will be future-proofing the organisation by growing the capacity of FHM to continue his work at the end of his volunteer term.
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