UNDP Jobs - 59122- International GEF Project Design and Biodiversity

International GEF Project Design and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist

Location :

Home-based with Travel to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Tanintharyi Region-, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

(50) 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

UNDP Myanmar has been implementing UNDP Country Programme for 2013-2017 with the aim to promoting local governance, growth and sustainable development with the emphasis on rights-based, gender sensitive, inclusive and equity. This goal will be pursued through three complementary components; Local Governance, Environmental Governance and Disaster Resilience, and Democratic Governance.

Environmental Governance and Disaster Resilience Component focuses on strengthening capacities at local, regional and national level to manage and utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, and to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity to long-term climate change including variability impacts and to reduce the associated risk of natural disasters.

UNDP has been closely working with Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MoECAF) to improve environmental governance in Myanmar. UNDP developed the Project Identification Form (PIF) on Ridge to Reef: Integrated Protected Area Land and Seascape Management in Tanintharyi” with the guidance of MOECAF and in consultations with the relevant line departments and Tanintharyi Region Government. The PIF was submitted to Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and it was approved by GEF Secretariat.

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been obtained to carry out necessary preparation of the full-fledge project proposal. In order to ensure the results of the project preparation work, UNDP is seeking an international consultant, GEF Project Design and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist, as a PPG Team Leader to produce a project document with a set of viable documents for submission to the GEF. The approved PIF is attached to further develop it into a fully formulated project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of Programme Specialist/Programme Analyst of UNDP CO and with the guidance of Regional Technical Adviser, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Bangkok Regional Hub, the GEF Project Design and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist is responsible for coordinating the work of all other consultants, and will ensure the quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentation. The PPG Team will compose of:

GEF Project Design and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist,
International Forest Land/seascape Planning and Management Specialist,
International Biodiversity Information and Monitoring Specialist,
National Protected Area Policy, Planning and Management Specialist,
National Fisheries and Marine Resource Management Specialist
National Community and Gender Specialist,
Logistics specialist

In executing necessary preparation of the full-fledge project proposal, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

Provides an overall orientation to the PPG team in relation to GEF requirements for project planning and monitoring.
Provides methodological guidance for data collection related to project planning and monitoring with particular attention given to the description and quantification of the baseline investments.
Compiles and share with the national PPG team and stakeholders the international best experience in policy development, legal and regulatory frameworks and enforcement systems for effective application of ridge to reef and landscape/seascape approach to biodiversity and ecosystem management, including analysis of any relevant GEF projects,
Based on the inputs from national and international experts and in close cooperation with the key national stakeholders compiles final baseline/situational analysis for the full size project (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 and international experts and the best international practice, prepares a quantified assessment of global environmental benefits for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.
Analyse the socio-economic benefits of the proposed interventions at national and local levels.
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 quality control of completed tracking tools for BD, LD and SFM/REDD+, including a set of indicators, baselines and targets.
Establishes baseline and targets for indicators reporting on the UNDP Integrated Results and Resources Framework.
Elaborates a Logical Framework of the project.
Prepares M&E plan and budget.
Prepares an indicative Procurement Plan for the project.
Based on national experts inputs, drafts ToRs for the key consultants/contracts to be employed by the project.
Based on national experts input, elaborates Stakeholder Involvement and Public Participation plans.
Develops action plan for incorporation of gender aspects in the project, with quantifiable baseline and target indicators, as per GEF and UNDP guidance.
Defines recommended project monitoring and evaluation indicators.
Performs final reviews of the required project documentation.
Conducts environmental and social safeguard screening following the UNDP procedure, producing the checklist and summary report.

The final output of the assignment is;

A comprehensive UNDP – GEF Project Document in both GEF/UNP formats and the GEF CEO Endorsement Request (GEF CEO Endorsement template) in a style accessible to senior policy makers.

The final document should make full use of figures, diagrams and boxes to bring out key points and summarize materials emerging from the PPG phase.

Preparation of this key deliverable will include quality control and final formulation of the following indicative sections of a UNDP/GEF compliant project document:

Situation Analysis (including proposal sections on context, threats/root causes/barriers analysis, institutional/sectoral/policy context, stakeholder analysis, business-as-usual-analysis, gender issue analysis, indigenous groups, business-with-GEF-analysis)
Project Strategy (including proposal sections on project rationale and policy conformity, project goal, objective, outcomes, outputs and activities, project indicators, risks and assumptions, country ownership, sustainability and replicability)
Institutional and Management Arrangements
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget
Incremental Cost Analysis (including systems boundary, Summary of costs, additional cost matrix)
Strategic Results Framework (formerly Logical Framework Analysis)
Total Budget and First Annual Work plan
Project Organigram
Project timetable
Terms of Reference for Project staff and main consultants and sub-contracts
Stakeholder involvement Plan with a focus on indigenous groups
Social and Environmental Screening Report
Letters of Endorsement and co-financing
Annexes and additional information annexes including UNDP Environmental and Social Screening and Procurement Plan.

These sections are indicative; As templates may be subject to change, the GEF Project Design and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist will be required to obtain guidance by the UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor and UNDP CO on applicable formats and templates and ensure that his/her work is compliant with UNDP/GEF and UNDP CO requirements.

For more details and documents to be download following link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=24483

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to environmental conservation and lake management;
Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage;
Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners, people skill for conflict resolution and negotiation;
Excellent English language skills with strong technical writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in natural sciences, social sciences, political sciences, environmental management or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in preparing high quality UNDP and GEF project documents;
Sound knowledge and understanding on biodiversity conservation and protected area land/seascape management;
Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project formulation and management experience is preferable);
Work experience in Asian countries preferred;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in the substantive area;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills, ability to manage technical team and long term strategic partnership;
Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and ability to work in an independent manner;
Knowledge of GEF, UNDP policies, procedures and practices and working experience with international organizations or GEF funded biodiversity projects is an advantage;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office).

Language Requirements:

Excellent ability to work in English, effective oral and written communication skills.