UNDP Jobs - 51144- International Consultant

International Consultant – GEF Project Development

Location :

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

24-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

16-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10/30/2015

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP Azerbaijan jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan has prepared a project concept on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Globally Important Agro-biodiversity. The project concept aims to address the key challenges causing the loss of threatened local plant genetic resources important to biodiversity, land integrity and food security of Azerbaijan. The project concentrates on the steppe, arid and semi-arid zones in Shaki, Goranboy and Kurdemir rayons.

The key project components are:

Component I. In-situ and ex-situ conservation of genetic biodiversity

Activities under this Component will seek to ensure long-term protection for targeted genetic resources (Annex through: i) establishment and operationalization of 70 hectares of Crop Wild Relative Mini-Reserves; ii) establishment and operationalization of Native Seed Depository, and iii) establishment and operationalization of local seed distribution system.

Component II. Investment in community-based intensified agricultural practices using traditional crop material

The expected output of this component will be improved state of agricultural lands at over 0.1 mln ha of productive landscapes in three districts. The activities include: i) establishment of Regional Associations of Small Scale Farmers and three Rayon Agriculture Centers as vehicles to implement sustainable land management through intensified native crop agriculture and take it to markets; ii) delivery of training to farmers and subsequent cultivation of native seeds through intensive agriculture at 0.1 mln ha, and iii) promotion of market access mechanisms and local brands.

Component III. Enabling policy environment and setting the scene for up-scaling

The activities under this Component will contribute to creating an enabling environment to ensure that by 2025 use of local varieties and landraces is embedded as standard agricultural practices at over 70% (app. 0.9 mln ha) of arable agricultural land. The indicative activities include: i) development of enabling policies for subsidizing highly degraded land owners/farmers willing to apply local agro-biodiversity material, ii) providing wide access to information on value of local crop varieties to all farmers, iii) preparation of Post-project management plan and fund raising for the Seed Depository, and iv) development and delivery of vocational training program for farmers in integrated land management and sustainable intensified agriculture using native seed materials.

Duties and Responsibilities

The tasks of the International Consultant will be to ensure that essential steps in the process of developing of the GEF FSP are undertaken in line with GEF guidance.

The International Consultant will be responsible for leading the team of national and international experts for planning and effectively undertaking the required baseline studies and other preparatory work, establishing a dialogue and working relations with relevant stakeholders and timely producing qualitative deliverables.

Under the overall guidance of Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Azerbaijan, and in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and as informed by guidance from the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor, the International Consultant will be tasked with the following duties and responsibilities:

Provide an overall orientation to the PPG team of local and international consultants in relation to the GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring;
Review and, if necessary, further clarify/fine-tune the Terms of Reference for a team of local and international consultants to be hired under the PPG stage;
Provide methodological guidance for data collection related to the project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments;
Review baseline studies and data/information collected and delivered by local and international experts, and compile the situational analysis for the project. This will include precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financing links to GEF project outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; and development of incremental costs matrices;
In close cooperation with the team of national and international project experts, define and validate the project outcomes, outputs and activities based on a logical framework analysis and the results of the PPG studies undertaken by the expert team;
Prepare a quantified assessment of the project’s global environmental benefits for conservation of agro-biodiversity based on inputs from local experts;
In close collaboration with the PPG expert team, assess cost-effectiveness and incrementality of proposed FSP activities; assess sustainability of proposed FSP activities and provide recommendations for ensuring sustainability of project outcomes; provide recommendations for capacity building and stakeholder engagement activities planned for the FSP; provide recommendations for the set of log frame indicators.

Assist the expert team in reconfirming/specifying the project strategy, finalizing project sections on:

(a) An assessment of the social, economic and financial sustainabilityof proposed project activities;
(b) Assessment of alternatives to the project strategy and establishing the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy and suite of activities;
(c) A replication strategy for project activities;
(d) Assessment of the risks to the proposed project activities and identifying measure to mitigate these risks.

Work closely with UNDP colleagues to ensure that all co-funders are fully engaged in the PPG activities and by the end of the PPG phase are fully on board with project implementation and co-funding arrangements.

Develop the Stakeholder Involvement and Public Participation Plan, including incorporation of gender aspects into the project;

Assist the PPG Team in completing all relevant tracking tools;

Consolidate all inputs into a GEF CEO Endorsement Document and UNDP Prodoc (templates and requirements are available at www.thegef.org)

Address Comments from UNDP, the Government, GEF Secretariat and the STAP for resubmission as necessary.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills;
Planning, organizing and multi-tasking;
Sharing knowledge and experience, communicating ideas and managing information flow;
Strong team management skills;
Good inter-personal and communication skills;
Good ability in partnering and networking;
Excellent written and spoken English and strong writing skills;
Outstanding time management and organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in environmental/natural resource management, agriculture or related area.

Experience:

At least 10 years of working experience in the field of biodiversity conservation, agricultural development and other fields related to the project
Proven experience in designing, planning, monitoring GEF-projects, including experience in incremental cost –analysis, and in UNDP and GEF Project Document Preparation
Previous experience of working in the region/country would be an asset.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English;
Working knowledge of Azerbaijani or Russian an asset, but not a requirement