Background
Available evidence and the decisions adopted by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) indicate a significant gap in finance for biodiversity management, for countries to scale up their efforts and achieve the 20 Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020. A recent global top-down assessment conducted by the CBD High Level Panel for Resource Mobilisation estimated that the global investment required amounts to between US$ 130 and 440 billion annually. However, detailed national-level (bottom-up) assessments are required to provide more robust information on the biodiversity finance gap, fully taking into account the effects of the enabling policy environment. In this context, at COP-11 in October 2012, UNDP and the European Commission (EC) launched a new partnership project “Building Transformative Policy and Financing Frameworks to Increase Investment in Biodiversity Management” that seeks to build a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity at the national level. With the Governments of Germany and Switzerland having recently joined, this project has since grown into a multi-partner global endeavour – the UNDP-managed Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN).
BIOFIN is managed by UNDP, in partnership with the European Commission and the Governments of Germany, Flanders, Norway and Switzerland. The $28 million initiative was launched in October 2012 and will run until 2018 including 29 member countries.
Guided by a steering committee representing the partners, BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national resource mobilising strategies.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work:
The BIOFIN team is seeking a Junior Consultant to support administrative and project activities:
- Assisting in preparing and reviewing travel documents including: clearance of travel requests from consultants or workshop participants, clearing budget availability, processing F10s, payment processes and other related tasks ensuring compliance with UNDP Regulations and Rules and policies;
- Assisting in preparing and reviewing procurement support documents for contractors and services including: first clearance of TORs and request for proposals, longlisting of candidates, minutes of interview meetings, analysis of vendor payments, report drafting, requests for contracts, processing payments and evaluations ensuring compliance with UNDP Regulations and Rules and policies;
- Assisting in the co-organization of project events as needed (workshops, meetings, and other): booking rooms, calendars, organizing conference calls (via Skype, Lync, Telephone, Go-to-meeting), drafting meeting notes, supporting delivery of invitations, budget authorizations, catering, etc.
- Maintaining electronic recordings, updating contact databases, filing documents, and updating financial monitoring tools as needed;
- Other related tasks as needed.
Information on Working Arrangements:
- The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
- The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
- The consultant needs to be fully connected via Internet, email, and telephone so that all of the tasks can be conducted via electronic means. The consultant is required to have all the equipment, software packages and licenses necessary to execute this assignment (Office package: word, excel; PDF);
- Irrespective of his/her location, the consultant is expected to be available for skype/phone meetings and be in reliable email contact partially during the New York HQ business hours (at least between 09:00 – 13:00 EST);
- Payments will be made upon submission of a certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the supervisor/s of satisfactory receipt of deliverables.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Uses a proactive approach to foresee road-blocks and suggest solutions;
- Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision;
- Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate, being able to work independently while meeting deadlines, being pro-active and taking initiatives;
- Strong analytical skills;
- Technical knowledge to perform effectively in own specialty;
- Full computer literacy. Proven ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource;
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities, produce quality outputs, manage many tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
- Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills including ability to handle a large volume of data accurately and thoroughly with great attention to detail within an overall context of high-performance.
Client Orientation:
- Maintains relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
- Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education with training and qualifications in management, administration, travel or a closely related field is required (max 15 points);
- University degree in management, administration, environment, sustainable development and other closely related fields will be considered an advantage (Max 5 points).
Experience:
- At least 3 years of experience in UNDP project support functions, including operations (max 20 points);
- Experience in procurement, recruitments, organization of workshops and meetings (max 10 Points);
- Experience in providing travel assistance in UNDP (calculating travel related entitlements, reviewing F10s for completeness) (max 10 points);
- Experience with ERP software desirable, particularly: travel requests, purchase orders, receipts, running project reports, etc. (7 points);
- Demonstrated ability to, and experience in, working with others remotely using diverse and appropriate forms of communication and data sharing would be an advantage. (max 3 points).
Language:
- Excellent knowledge of English required (10 points);
- Knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage (max 5 points).
Evaluation method and Award of Contract:
- Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
- Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical criteria will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
- The technical criteria (education, experience, languages (max 85 points), and written test (max 45pts)) will be based on a maximum 130 points. Only the top 5 candidates scoring 60pts or higher from the review of the education, experience, languages will be considered for the written test and financial evaluation;
- Financial score (max 100 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified;
- The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive daily fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment);
- Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.
Documentation to be submitted:
- Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the below link;
- Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
Note
Please note that you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
General Conditions of Contract for the ICs
UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.