UNDP Jobs - 59492- International Forest/Pasture Carbon Expert

International Forest/Pasture Carbon Expert

Location :

Home Based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Two month

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Draft NBSAP was implemented as part of UNDP projects in Kazakhstan in 2014-2015, known as the Concept on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030 (Concept) and Action Plan for 2015-2020 on Concept implementation (Action Plan). Concept has 20 targets, covering sustainable use and development issues for the following sectors: fishery, forestry, agriculture, hunting management, protected areas, climate change, soil contamination, waste management, etc., as well as related field of activities for the period from 2015 to 2020.

In almost 90% of cases the financing of environmental projects comes from the state budget. At the same time, the current trend is reduction of allocated budget funds that eventually may result in the failure of environmental targets and deteriorated state of ecosystems and biodiversity.
At the international level financing deficit for biodiversity is up to USD 450 billion annually. Budget of Action Plan also exceeds annually allocated budget funds, thus forming the deficit of financing.

Since September 2013 the international regional project “Building transformative policy and financing frameworks to increase investmnets in biodiversity management (BioFin)” is implemented in Kazakhstan. The goal of project is to assist Government in determining the status and trends with regards to biodiversity financing at a national level and solution of problems connected with resource shortage.
Objectives of the Project correspond to CBD resolution on encouragement of Parties to improve existing financial information, assess country specific needs in resources and develop mobilizing strategy.

CBD recommends 12 financing mechanisms for biodiversity and ecosystems, such as positive tax incentives, negative tax incentives, payment for ecosystem services, compensation for biodiversity, positive and negative subsidies, etc.
In light of the aforesaid, in 2015 BioFin project has initiated works on the preparation of the financing mobilization plan for biodiversity and capacity assessment of new mechanisms to the point of their integration to the nature resources management policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Collect and process official statistical materials on the forest fund of Kazakhstan;
Collect and process official statistical materials on pasture resources of Kazakhstan.

In order to achieve aims of work consultant will be provided with official statistical data on the forest fund and pastures of the RK for processing and evaluation.

Determine volumes of 2 absorption by forests of Kazakhstan with a breakdown into forest trees;
Determine volumes of 2 absorption by pastures of Kazakhstan with a breakdown into their types.

Consultant submits analytical ) with detailed dematerial (reportscription of methodology and calculations made:

Perform calculations of the potential of forest ecosystems of Kazakhstan on carbon sequestration and perform calculations on predicted trends in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by forests for the each of the following periods: (1) 2016-2020, (2) 2021-2025, (3) 2026-2030;
Perform calculations of the potential of forest ecosystems of Kazakhstan on carbon sequestration and perform calculations on predicted trends in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by various types of pastures for the each of the following periods: (1) 2016-2020, (2) 2021-2025, (3) 2026-2030;
Elaborate specific recommendations in order to use the results of work for making industry decisions;
Prepare the methodology of conducted work for publication in the source book of methodologies on economic mechanisms and financial tools of biodiversity conservation;
Develop the investment mobilization plan to the good of conservation of forests and pasture ecosystems of Kazakhstan through financial and economic mechanisms on adaptation to climate change for the period until 030 according to the table in the TOR;
Present the results of work for concerned central government authorities.Consultant gives a presentation of the results of his/her work as part of the official meeting of state bodies and concerned authorities related to climate change and measures taken (dates will be identified later).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
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:

Expert ensures timely implementation of activities and achievement of deliverables in accordance with the TOR;
Expert is responsible for the quality of materials prepared as part of the TOR;
Expert is responsible for the reliability of calculations and other data to be provided as part of the TOR;
Expert works under the supervision of the UNDP biodiversity projects manager in close cooperation with the expert on economic mechanisms of biodiversity management;
Expert produces reports in Russian language in Word;
Expert submits calculations in Excel.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Nature Resource Management.

Experience:

At least 3 years of work experience or participation in nature resource management or biodiversity projects;
Work experience in preparation of similar calculations;
Experience in preparation of state sectoral programs, action plans;
Knowledge of international legislation and situational awareness related to measures on adaptation to climate change;
Work experience in conduction of studies and preparation of analytical papers, reports, publications, manuals and other materials;
Basic knowledge of PC, software-using skills.

Language:

Knowledge of English to work with English sources.

Note:

For complete information about this vacancy, including detailed tasks and responsibilities, full and detailed description of the evaluation procedure which will be applied, as well as templates of P11 and Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the individual contractor (IC) assignment (incl. breakdown of cost in USD), please refer to the Terms of Reference and the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice published at the UNDP Kazakhstan website http://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/operations/procurement/ic-contracts/international-forest-pasture-carbon-expert-0.html Procurement, subsection: Individual Contracts. Please follow the application instructions described therein.