UNDP Jobs - 56593- Environmental Economist: Initial Assessment and Sc

Environmental Economist: Initial Assessment and Scoping of the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Location :

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

12-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 months (1 July - 1 December 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

Malaysia, a mega-biodiversity country, is a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1994. Malaysia had benefitted from the utilization of rich biodiversity and natural resources in its economic and social development. At the same time, Malaysia is taking a balanced approach in the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services to ensure that these services are utilized in a sustainable manner.

As a CBD country party and joining the global efforts to implement the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Malaysia is now in the process of updating its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), or known as the National Policy on Biological Diversity 1998. This project titled “National Biodiversity Planning to Support the implementation of the CBD 2011 – 2020 strategic plan in Malaysia” (NBSAP) is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant financing under its Biodiversity Enabling Activities. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) is the implementing agency for this project.

This project seeks to integrate Malaysia’s obligations under the CBD into its national development and sectoral planning frameworks through a renewed and participative biodiversity planning and strategizing process, in a manner that is in line with the global guidance in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011 – 2020.

One of the key project outputs to conduct an Initial Assessment and Scoping of the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Malaysia. This assessment will allow Malaysia to estimate benefits and values of ecosystems and biodiversity at the national level, and highlight its contribution to the national economy. In addition, the assessment will also recommend way forward for conducting a comprehensive TEEB Malaysia with thematic and/or sectoral focus under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

NBSAP project information can be accessed on UNDP Malaysia Country Office website at:

http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/82290_nbsap.html

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP Malaysia requires an Environmental Economist to conduct the Initial Assessment and Scoping of TEEB Malaysia with the following tasks:

Conduct literature review of past, existing and updated information on economic valuation studies of ecosystems and biodiversity from government, higher learning and research institutions, NGOs, etc;
Estimate the total economic values of biodiversity and ecosystems in Malaysia;
Estimate the current and potential contribution of biodiversity and ecosystems to the national economy (Gross Domestic Product/Gross National Income, etc.);
Identify gaps and lessons learned on the methodologies and findings of economic valuation studies on biodiversity and ecosystems which have been conducted in Malaysia;
Identify and propose appropriate methodologies to recognize, capture and demonstrate the value of key ecosystems and biodiversity within the Malaysia development context;
Identify stakeholders/beneficiaries/users of TEEB Malaysia and their concerns; and
Recommend thematic or sectoral focus and next steps to conduct a comprehensive TEEB Malaysia under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Expected Outputs:

Provide meeting and consultation workshop reports with stakeholders.
Initial Assessment and Scoping Report of TEEB Malaysia structured along the outline indicated in Annex I Proposed Outline of the Initial Assessment and Scoping Report for the Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Malaysia. A detailed record of consultations with stakeholders will need to be produced and provided, as an annex to the main report.
Policy brief for policy-makers of not more than 10 pages.

Methodology:

The expert will use a number of investigative, analytical and consultative methods and tools to complete his/her tasks:

Desktop research of official and/or published documents including policies and plans, study reports, research papers, journals, etc.
Interviews with key stakeholders (ministries/departments/agencies, owner and beneficiaries of initiatives/programmes);
Stakeholder consultations;
Facilitate workshop for focus group or technical working group to complete the initial assessment and scoping.

Data, Information, and Documents Management:

All data, information and documents obtained under this assignment is the property of the Government of Malaysia and United Nations Development Programme, and be treated as strictly confidential.
No such information shall be used and cited by the expert for any other purpose other than the preparation of the Initial Assessment and Scoping of TEEB Malaysia.
All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and UNDP Malaysia upon completion of this assignment.

Institutional Arrangement:

Reporting Structure - The expert will report to the Programme Manager of UNDP Malaysia, and work under the guidance of National Project Director, Biodiversity and Forestry Management Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and UNDP Malaysia.
Duty Station - The expert will be based at their home office unless meetings with UNDP Malaysia and NRE are held. Scheduling of meetings (frequency & duration) will be arranged and fixed based on discussions between the expert, UNDP and NRE. The expert is responsible for his/her own travel arrangement.
Briefing to Expert - Upon appointment, the expert will receive a detailed briefing by UNDP Malaysia on the required scope of work and work plan.

Duration:

The assignment will require 45 working days starting from 1 July 2015 to 1 December 2015.

Terms of Payment:

The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by UNDP Malaysia and NRE.

20% upon submission and acceptance of detailed work plan by UNDP Malaysia and NRE;
40% upon submission and acceptance of the First Draft of the Initial Assessment and Scoping Report of TEEB Malaysia by UNDP Malaysia and NRE;
40% upon submission and acceptance of the Final Draft of the Initial Assessment and Scoping Report of TEEB Malaysia by UNDP Malaysia and NRE.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent organizational skills;
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
Ability to manage and 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, academics and civil society strongly desired.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental economics, ecological economics, natural resource economics or related discipline.
A first degree in environmental economics, ecological economics, natural resource economics or related discipline with a minimum of 15 years of experience can be accepted in lieu of a postgraduate degree.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in economic valuation and/or natural accounting of biodiversity and ecosystems.
Professional experience in cost-benefit analysis, economic valuation tools, economic modelling tools such as econometrics, statistics, quantitative and qualitative analysis, etc.
Solid knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems in Malaysia.
Experience in facilitating and presenting in technical workshop or stakeholder consultation sessions.
Experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations.

Language:

Excellent command of English and Malay.

Application Procedure: Documents to be included when submitting proposals:

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

Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a detailed methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment.
Financial Proposal should specify a total lump sum amount including a breakdown of professional fees, working days, travel and relevant costs using the financial proposal template in Annex III; Please download Annex I-IV at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2015_021%20Annex%20I-IV.docx
Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references in the format of UN Personal History Form (P11 form). The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/jobs/

Note:

Please scan, save and upload all documents (proposals and P11 Form) into one PDF file. (The system does not allow more than 1 attachment).
For clarifications, please send an email to: http://www.procurement.my@undp.org
and indicate reference number MyIC_2015_021 as the subject title.
Incomplete submissions shall not be considered.

Documents to be included when submitting proposals: Interested individual applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a detailed methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment.
Financial Proposal should specify a total lump sum amount including a breakdown of professional fees, working days, travel and relevant costs using the financial proposal template in Annex III; Please download Annex I-IV at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2015_021%20Annex%20I-IV.docx
Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references in the format of UN Personal History Form (P11 form). The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/jobs/

Important: This assignment is open to Malaysian Nationals only.