Background

Description of Assignment:                                International Consultant on development of the national agrobiodiversity strategy

Project name:                                                       UNDP/GEF FSP “Sustaining agricultural biodiversity in the face of climate change in Tajikistan”

Period of assignment/services:                             One year

Deadline for application:                                    45 working days within a period of one year (with missions to Tajikistan)

Application procedures:

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online via website www.undp.tj:

-       In order to be considered in the long list of applicants please go to the Registration link, register your account and upload P11 Form. (If you already have a registered account, please use your login and password for further applying)

-       Filled Personal History Form should be uploaded in your account. Please upload the exact P11 form instead of CV or Resume.

-       Further, in the list of announced vacancies click on apply link beside the Vacancy post. You will be receiving a confirmation e-mail in short period to the address indicated in your account.

-       Additional documents should be sent to e-mail address ic.tj@undp.org, for proper evaluation:  

• Proposal:

-       stating your interest and qualifications for the advertised position

-       Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work

• Financial proposal
• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

Please note that incomplete applications will not be further considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Tajikistan is the origin of many cultivated plants worldwide. Availability of various climatic, geologic and ecologic factors creates favorable conditions for sustaining rich biodiversity, counting around 9,800 species. The agricultural biodiversity of the country plays an essential role in meeting the food needs of rural communities. The conservation and effective utilization of the country’s agricultural biodiversity is therefore a priority for socio-economic development and long-term food security at the global and national scale, especially in light of the expected challenges that will arise from changes in climate over the next decades.

The main objective of the project is to ensure that “globally significant agro-biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change are embedded in agricultural and rural development policies and practices at national and local levels in Tajikistan.”

A dual approach will be adopted that integrates the ex situ and in situ conservation of globally significant agro-biodiversity with the employment by farmers of that biodiversity to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and generate income through the establishment of economically viable agro-enterprises.

The project seeks to remove the barriers to conservation and adaptation of the globally significant agro-biodiversity of Tajikistan by a combination of components targeting:

Component 1: Agro-biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change through supportive policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks.

Component 2: Improved capacity for sustaining agro-biodiversity in the face of climate change.

Component 3: Enabling environment for market development for agro-biodiversity products developed.

The project has completed its mid-term evaluation in 2012. The project document and mid-term evaluation report serve as a guidance for the implementation of the project.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of this position is to provide overall project advisory services and technical assistance to the Project Manager (PM) and Deputy Project Manager (DPM), National Project Experts (NPE) and to ensure that the overall technical direction of the project is maintained and flexibly adapted to the meet the practical challenges faced during project implementation.

Duties and responsibilities:

The inputs of the International Consultant will serve as a major guidance for the project, especially in relation to the development of the National Agro-biodiversity Conservation Strategy, exit strategies for different project components, enhancing sustainability of project results, inter alia, on market development, elaboration of knowledge products and dissemination of project level results both nationally and internationally. 

The International Consultant will work in consultation with respective Programme Analyst, and under direct supervision of the Project Manager. He/she will provide technical guidance and develop roadmaps for the implementation of different activities within the project framework.

Component 1. Policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks supportive to agrobiodiversity:

·         Support the development of the National Strategy on Agrobiodiversity Conservation in the face of climate change in collaboration with the project staff and national partners;

·         Provide advisory assistance for integration of agro-biodiversity conservation and climate change issues into the local development planning in the project target areas;

·         Develop exit strategies for all components of the project, ensuring sustainability of the activities beyond the project scope.

Component 2. Improved capacities for sustaining agro-biodiversity in the face of climate change:

·         Provide advice and guidance to the project staff and partners on development and promotion of effective approaches to conserve in-situ and ex-situ ABD among local communities;

·         Provides advice to the process of scaling up the project demonstration activities ensuring their sustainability, and provide overall technical support and guidance during their implementation;

Component 3. Market conditions favour sustainable agro-biodiversity production:

·         Provide technical advice in the development of marketing programs for selected agrobiodiversity climate resilient products, in the project context;

·         Provide advice and technical assistance on certification of products of ABD genetic resources;

·         Support the project team in the establishment of partnerships with international firms and companies interested in marketing agrobiodiversity products targeted by the project team;

Dissemination of Best Practices and Lessons Learned:

·         Develop knowledge products capturing key lessons learned and best practices identified during the project implementation;

·         Provide ongoing advice and guidance to national project staff and counterparts on the implementation of awareness raising activities by the project, including website development;

·         Provide advice and guidance on the best strategy for effective dissemination of best practices and lessons learned.

1.        Based on the existing materials and documentation within the project, and before the missions to the country, draft an outline of the National Strategy on Agrobiodiversity Conservation; identify gaps in the information required;

2.        In consultation with the project team and national experts, prepare a draft version of the National Strategy on Agrobiodiversity Conservation in the face of climate change, based on the current country context and the best practices of the project;;

3.        Finalize the development of the National Strategy on Agrobiodiversity Conservation in the face of climate change;

4.        Technical reviews of the Project Implementation Reports for June 2012 - June 2013;

5.        Based on the project context, identify themes for and prepare two knowledge products capturing key lessons learned and best practices identified during the project implementation;

6.        Draft exit strategies for all components of the project, ensuring sustainability of proposed activities beyond the project scope.

7.        International consultant will prepare a summary report upon each his/her mission to the country.

Competencies

·         Advanced university degree in botany, agriculture, genetic resources, climate change or related fields, or the equivalent combination of education and project implementation experience in a related area; Criteria A

·         Minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience at the international level in a field of promoting agrobiodiversity conservation. Understanding of agrobiodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation is a must; Criteria B

·         Practical experience in development of knowledge products. Knowledge of procedures and requirements for UNDP/GEF projects is an asset; Criteria C

·         Demonstrated experience in capacity development initiatives, notably at the systemic and institutional levels, preferably at the global and international levels; Criteria D

·         Excellent communication (especially writing), negotiation and diplomatic skills; strong analytical skills; comfortable working with a variety of people within a multicultural environment; able to work and follow up independently; ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines; strong work ethic and commitment; organized, resourceful and a team player;

·         Fluent in English both verbal and written. Fluency in Russian is an important asset; Criteria E

·         Previous work experience in Central Asia is welcome.

Required Skills and Experience

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

·         Proposal:

Ø Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;

Ø Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.

·         Financial proposal

·         Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.