UNDP Jobs - 55087- National Expert on Environment Economics and Team

National Expert on Environment Economics and Team Leader - ( Open to Thai Nationals only)

Location :

Bangkok with no travel required, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

22-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 years 8 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

During May 2015 – December 2016 with maximum of 120 working days

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

Available evidence and the decisions adopted by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) indicate that a significant gap remains in finance for biodiversity management, for countries to drastically scale up their efforts and achieve the 20 Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020. A preliminary assessment recently conducted under the auspices of the High-level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources for Implementing the CBD Strategic Plan estimated that the global investment required ranges between 130 and 440 billion US$ annually. While useful, this and similar other global estimates are based on extrapolations sensitive to the underlying assumptions. To define biodiversity finance needs and gaps with greater precision and determine related challenges and opportunities for resource mobilisation, detailed national-level (bottom-up) assessments are therefore required.

In this context, UNDP in October 2012 launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN, as a new global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner – building a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a particular focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level.

BIOFIN works along two main axes:

Globally-led development of a new methodological framework

An entirely new methodological framework is being developed for undertaking national-level “bottom-up” analyses of the finance-relevant enabling context; for determining the current / baseline investment in biodiversity; for quantifying the full cost of meeting national biodiversity conservation targets and the resulting finance gap; and for assessing the suitability of financial mechanisms and developing national resource mobilisation strategies. The methodologies applied in the project will be refined through regional and global learning, and made available more widely.

Adaptation and implementation of this new methodological framework at national level

To help countries increase the importance attributed to biodiversity and in consequence bridge the financing gap, the work at national level will be led by Ministries of Finance, Planning or Economics and the Ministry of Environment, and is articulated through the following components:

Analyze the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in sectorial and development policy, planning and budgeting.

Participating countries will analyse the current policy and institutional frameworks affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services both positively and negatively, and quantify related investments through comprehensive reviews of past and current (baseline) public and private expenditures. Analyses of impact, effectiveness and coherence will provide key opportunities for mainstreaming, aimed at reducing the cost of biodiversity management, such as through the removal of perverse incentives.

Assess future financing flows, needs and gaps for managing and conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Participating countries will project anticipated future investment in biodiversity, and determine the financing needed to meet agreed national priorities reflecting the CBD Aichi Targets, building on and interacting with the NBSAP process, and taking into account cost-effectiveness and the effects of an improved enabling environment. The difference between the projected future investment and the required investment will enable the quantification of the finance gap.

Develop comprehensive national Resource Mobilisation Strategies to meet the biodiversity finance gap.

Following an assessment of the full range of potential financing mechanisms (traditional and innovative, national and international), each participating country will develop a strategy to address the finance gap, combining suitable and nationally-adapted mechanisms. The strategy will analyse opportunities, risks and barriers related to the implementation of these mechanisms and provide solutions and recommendations, including on the enabling environment and safeguards.

Initiate implementation of the Resource Mobilisation Strategy at national level.

Countries will begin implementing recommendations pertaining to a priority subset of the identified financing mechanisms – regarding aspects such as institutional requirements, laws and regulations, taxes and fees, identification of legal thresholds, removal of perverse incentives, further feasibility studies and implementation plans, certification processes, public-private-partnerships, voluntary agreements, etc.

Currently, there are 19 countries participating in BIOFIN that include Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda and Zambia. Further countries can be supported as additional resources are leveraged.

The BIOFIN in Thailand is designed to support Thailand in translating the direction of Thailand’s 11th National Economics and Social Development Plan which highlights the importance of sustainable utilization of natural resources to as a foundation to green growth and inclusive development into implementation with financial strategies, especially with regards to the Integrated National Biodiversity Plan. The work of BIOFIN is led by the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and other key agencies including Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, incollaboration with UNDP. The initiative will run for 2 years (2014 – 2016).

BIOFIN works along two main axes:

Globally-led development of a new methodological framework

Adaptation and implementation of this new methodological framework at national level

Analyze the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in sectorial and development policy, planning and budgeting.

Assess future financing flows, needs and gaps for managing and conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Develop comprehensive national Resource Mobilisation Strategies to meet the biodiversity finance gap.

Initiate implementation of the Resource Mobilisation Strategy at national level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment:

This TOR is for the position of National Expert on Environment Economics and Team Leader to be part of national BIOFIN team that will develop Public and Private Expenditure Review and the public finance elements of the Strategy for Mobilizing Public and Private Resources.

The selected consultant will become a member of BIOFIN Consultants Team comprising:

Public Finance Expert;
Biodiversity Policy and Institutional National Expert;
National Expert on Environment Economics and Team Leader.

Scope of Work

The National Expert on Environment Economics and Team Leader will be the overall leader and spokesperson of BIOFIN at the national level. S/he is expected to have senior experience and to provide substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies, as well as quality assurance of all national products and processes throughout the duration of the national project.

On the side of the Environmental Economics, the expert will be responsible for completing parts 2 (Finance Needs and Gap Assessment) and 3 (Strategy for Mobilizing Public and Private Resources). He/she will play a leading role in the conduction and write-up of the Finance Needs and Gap Assessment and the Strategy for Mobilizing Public and Private Resources under the BIOIFN process together with Government counterparts and other contributing experts: He/she is also expected to provide horizontal input to all other national BIOFIN outputs, including Policy and Institutional Review, Public and Private Expenditure Reviews, as well as the Summary for Policy Makers; and provide input to the feedback on the methodological framework.

Key duties and responsibilities will include:

Technical Expertise and Leadership

Lead completion of BIOFIN parts 2+3, in close coordination and collaboration with the National BIOFIN Project Coordinator;
Collaborate with the national team to ensure that outputs are delivered on time and on budget and to high quality standards, providing technical guidance as required;
Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant Ministries and partners as required;
Ensure BIOFIN builds on other national projects and activities, including the NBSAP process;
Provide technical support and overall coordination to the national BIOFIN team to complete BIOFIN deliverables in a consistent manner, provide quality assurance of national products;
Ensure that drafts of the work are sent to the BIOFIN team regularly to provide backstopping;
Facilitate coordination of national BIOFIN and NBSAP processes for mutual reinforcement;
Steer the initial implementation of the resource mobilisation strategy that seeks to put the BIOFIN results into action.(This may require expertise from additional professionals still to be identified.)

Project Outreach and Communication:

Preparation of workshops, meetings, networking and presentations as required, to complete parts 2+3 and engage stakeholders;
Training sessions and workshops provided to country partners on BIOFIN methodology;
Collect substantive comments and feedback from team members on how to improve the BIOFIN methodology.

Knowledge Management and Reporting:

Document decisions and assumptions made while completing parts 2+3;
Report writing and document preparation, such as policy and information notes to communicate BIOFIN objectives and results to key stakeholders;
Document lessons learned from conducting the BIOFIN project ranging from institutional considerations to technical issues.
Prepare reports and case studies, as required, for submission to global meetings (e.g. COP12).

Final Products:

The consultant is expected to deliver followings:

Joint Workplan with the other two consultants and detailed approach;
Workbook 1 Policy, Institutions, and Expenditures Review;
Workbook 2 Costing and Needs assessment;
Workbook 3 Resource Mobilization Strategy;
Workbook 4 Project Synthesis Report (with recommendations to government) and Summary for Policy Makers;
Workbook 5 Provisional and final feedback on the BIOFIN methodology including the assessment frameworks.

Contract Duration:

During May 2015 – December 2016 with maximum of 120 working days.

Duty Station:

Bangkok, Thailand with no travel required.

Provision of Monotoring and Progress Controls

The National Expert on Environment Economics and Team Leader will report to UNDP programme specialist on Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development through NESDB and ONEP

Documents to be included when submitting proposal:

Interested individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate your qualifications:

Proposal: Brief proposal explaining why you are the most suitable for this consultancy and Brief Description of Approach to work including confirmation on availability to take up assignment for the whole period;
Financial proposal: The financial proposal must indicate Lump sum professional fee in Thai Baht (THB);To submit Financial Proposal, please use Template of Submission of Financial Proposal provided in Annex I;
Personal CV and/or P.11 including past experience in similar projects and the name and contact details of 3 references.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Financial Proposal

Professional Fee

The contract will be based on Lump sum payment including Professional Fee. The financial proposal will specify the Lump sum professional Fee (with breakdown of Daily fee x number of working day) in Thai Baht (THB). The payments will be made to the Individual Consultant based on the completion of the deliverables indicated in the TOR. To submit Financial Proposal, please use Template of Submission of Financial Proposal provided in Annex I.

Evaluation

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight; 70%:

Experience related to services: 35 points;
Written proposal/test and/or interview result: 30 points;
Expertise & Availability: 35 points

Financial Criteria weight; 30%:

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
Familiarity with government strongly desired.

Client Orientation:

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Doctoral or Master’s degree with 9 years of experience in environmental economics, biodiversity, biology and/or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.

Experience:

Of which at least 7 years of experience in biodiversity field, preferably in the area of economics for biodiversity and ecosystems, valuation of biodiversity resources, financial mechanism for conservation, and/ or other related areas;
Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions;
Sound understanding of biodiversity and ecosystems management and finance;
Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office).

Language:

Good command of English both spoken and written.