UNDP Jobs - 57857- International Biodiversity Specialist

International Biodiversity Specialist

Location :

Home-based Assignment with Two Missions, UZBEKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 business days for the whole contract period from 10 August 2015 through 30 June 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of this preparatory-phase (PPG) project is to develop a Full Project Document (ProDoc) and CEO Endorsement Request for a national UNDP/GEF full-size (FS) project that aims to demonstrate viability of landscape approach to conservation of internationally important biodiversity, land and forest resources in Uzbekistan’s Mountain Ecosytems in harmony with sustainable development of local communities.

The PPG will address comments of the GEF Secretariat, STAP, and Council. The PPG activities will take into account the lessons learnt from previous UNDP-GEF projects in Uzbekistan and projects of other agencies and donors relevant to the subject matter of the project. The project’s technical feasibility and economic viability will be assessed, as will the risks associated with its implementation.

General Background Information

This project is in line with the objectives, outcomes and core expected outputs of the Biodiversity Area for GEF-6. During the initiation plan period, a number of studies and stakeholder consultations will be undertaken with the view to further develop the approved PIF into a fully formulated project document. The final output of the initiation plan will be a UNDP-GEF project document and GEF CEO endorsement template ready for submission to UNDP and GEF.

The main directions addressed by the project are as follows:

Landscape level planning and management decision-making for Pamir Alay and Tian Shan mountain landscape;
Strengthening key biodiversity areas within Pamir Alay and Tian Shan landscape;
Sustainable economic development incentives for communities to reverse environmental degradation in Tian Shan and Pamir Alay Landscape;
Promoting regional and global cooperation in combating poaching, advancing monitoring and research on key species, setting the scene for up-scaling.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Specialist on Biodiversity Conservation is the key international consultant, who will provide active/full support and technical advice to Task Manager/Team Leader. S/he should have a solid international expertise in biodiversity conservation initiatives, coordinating/facilitating several working groups and maintaining integrity of the outputs. S/he will provide in-depth technical advice and proactive support to national specialist with coordination of the work of all other national and international consultants, is responsible for quality control and preparation of all reports and documentation on time.

Throughout the assignment the International Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Task Manager/Team Leader and under overall guidance of UNDP’s Head of Environment & Energy Unit, and in close coordination with Biodiversity Focal Point of the EEU UNDP Uzbekistan and Regional Technical Advisor at UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). The International Consultant shall establish close cooperation with other national and international experts involved in the corresponding activities of the project.

The assignment will be based on the deskwork at home-country and with at least two missions (each week-long) to Uzbekistan that will include visits of the project pilot sites located in the provinces of Uzbekistan (specific location of pilot sites to be specified later). Specific dates of missions to Uzbekistan will be discussed and agreed with Task Manager during contract negotiations. The International Consultant will be fully and solely responsible for undertaking the above tasks and quality and timely producing the expected outputs and deliverables indicated below.

Responsibilities

He/she guides the work of the national consultants, in cooperation with UNDP Country office and GEF RTA, and is responsible for quality control and delivery of the following points:

Reviews baseline information delivered by the local experts, and provides feedback on the quality of data and further information required;
Compiles and shares with the national PPG team and stakeholders the international best experience in policy development, legal and regulatory frameworks and enforcement systems for protected area management and connectivity instruments, such as buffer zones and corridors; as well as integration of biodiversity into territorial planning
Provides support and guidance to the national team leader in planning and management of the PPG implementation,
Faciltates roundtables/workshops and/or platform discussions with key national/internationalstakeholders and partners for building consensus on project design and expected outputs/outcomes;
Based on the inputs from national experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders compiles final baseline/situational analysis for the FSP. This will include a precise definition of baseline projects, activities, budgets, goals and co-financial links to GEF outcomes; definition of GEF incremental value per outcome and output; presentation of results of the incremental cost-analysis in matrices.
Based on the inputs from national experts and the best international practice, prepares a quantified assessment of global environmental benefits for biodiversity, land resources and forests.
Based on the international experience, assists in reconfirming/specifying the project strategy, finalizing project sections on: (a) An assessment of the social, economic and financial sustainability of 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; (e) incremental cost analysis;
Based on national experts inputs, develops project monitoring and evaluation system for the FSP including the completed tracking tool, including a set of indicators, baselines and targets.
Elaborates a Logical Framework of the project. Leads the workshop for the logical framework analysis;
Prepares M&E plan and budget;
Analysis of the training, public awareness raising and other capacity building needs and finalizing the project’s capacity training strategy and activities;
Based on national experts input, elaborates Stakeholder Involvement and Public Participation plans, along with an action plan for incorporation of the gender aspects in the project.
Based on inputs of local experts, prepares the draft of the quantified description of the global environmental benefits of the project;
Prepares METTs for the project target sites;
Assists in addressing comments of STAP, Council and GEF Secretariat.
Based on national experts inputs, drafts ToRs for the key consultants/contracts to be employed by the project;
Reviews baseline information delivered by the local experts;
Facilitates several stakeholder workshops in Uzbekistan on threat/ root cause/ barrier analysis and log-frame, based on which the project interventions will be designed. The log-frame exercise will also identify the indicators for which baseline values should be collected during the preparation stage;
Prepares the threats-analysis matrix and narrative; barrier analysis; and log-frame with clear indicators for the objective and outcome level, including the baseline and target values for the indicators;
Assesses the capacity building needs for the implementation of the proposed project interventions;
Assesses sustainability of suggested project outcomes and outputs;
Assists the project in the development of co-funding matrix for the full project;
Provides answers and updates in the FSP based on the comments of GEF Council, the GEF Secretariat, the STAP, the GEF Agencies, Government of Uzbekistan and other parties related to this project.
Finalizes GEF full project proposals (CEO endorsement request and Project Document);
Provides other required guidance and support for the successful preparation, submission and endorsement by GEF and the Government of Uzbekistan of the FSP proposal, as required by the supervisor.

Deliverables:

Developed and finalized detailed Work Plan, Budget and ToRs of all national/international consultants for PPG stage. Conducted first mission to Uzbekistan, moderated workshop and established working relationships with key national stakeholders / other parties involved in PPG stage. Submitted detailed methodology, incl. overview of major milestones, for development of CEO Endorsement Request. Deadline: 10 October 2015;
Prepared first draft of the CEO endorsement request according to the latest templates, including all attachments. Deadline: 15 January 2015;
Developed, finalized and cleared by GEF the CEO endorsement document according to the latest templates, including all attachments. Deadline: 25 April 2016;
Developed, finalized and cleared by relevant parties, incl. Government of Uzbekistan, the FSP Project Document according to the latest templates, including all the attachments. Deadline: 15 June 2016;
Prepared and finalized response to GEF Comments and related replies to all other parties, incl. Government of Uzbekistan, in a tabular form. Deadline: 29 June 2016.

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include all costs of consultancy, including costs of international and local travel, accommodation and meal (DSA or per diems) and visa costs required to produce the abovementioned deliverables.

Payments will be released in 3 installments:

First installment (15% of total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 1;
Second installment (25% of total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 2;
Third installment (60% of total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverables 3, 4 & 5.

Upon timely submission of respective deliverables in English and their acceptance by the Supervisor and UNDP CO.

Competencies

Excellent written and oral communication skills;
Focus on results;
Ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;Initiative;
Good analytical skills;
Ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement;
Ethics and honesty;
Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master's or higher degree in natural sciences, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management or relatedfield.

Experience:

Minimum five years of practical experience in international project development related to bidoveristy/forestry/ sustainable land management. Recent experience in project development in relevant fields according to UNDP and GEF policies and procedures is a great advantage;
Prior proven experience in developing CEO endorsement document for UNDP-GEF projects related to land management or other relevant fields;
Familiarity with land management policies and structures in Central Asian countries and, particularly, in Uzbekistan. Relevant experience in the Central Asian region in development and implementation of GEF-funded sustainable land management related projects is a great advantage;
Perfect knowledge of land conservation and management tools, preferably in the area of forestry and biodiversity conservation;
Awareness and understanding of the relevant land degradation, biodiversity, climate change, and other related conventions;
Minimum eight years of experience in facilitating roundtables and platform discussions;
Minimum of seven years of experience in project cycle management;
Minimum of seven years of experience of preparation of project documents, including budgeting, workplans and short-term ToRs of consultants;
Experience in global and international meetings on various land and natural resources management related environmental issues.

Language:

Proficiency in both written and oral English.

Other:

Recent knowledge of relevant GEF/UNDP policies and procedures related to development and approval of project design documents;
Recognized expertise in the biodiversity will be an asset;
Experience with multilaterally or bilaterally supported natural resource management projects;
Full computer literacy and be fluent in English with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills.
Ability to share knowledge and experience;
Understanding of development issues, and role of gender in development;
Initiative and strong leadership skills; results-orientation; self-management.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Proposal- provide brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (2 pages or less);
P-11 form and Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability;
Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and submit it to the online application;
Above mentioned documents can be obtained at http://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/operations/jobs/

Application process

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) and Offeror’s Letter;
Merge your P11, Offeror’s Letter and Proposal into a single file;
Click on the Job Title;
Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”;
Upload your forms

You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Note:

Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contracts:

This is a lump sum contract. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days);
The payment will be made in two installments to be issued upon completion and submission of Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed as indicated in the terms of reference.

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation

The individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis methodology.

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

Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
Having received the highest score out of the set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
Technical Criteria weight – 70%;
Financial Criteria weight – 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for the Technical Criteria will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.