Background

Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply.

The project envisages comprehensive activities to build up the organizational capacity of the Russian energy sector to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity, and mainstream biodiversity considerations in Russia’s energy sector development policies as well as the operations of power producing companies, by conducting pilot events in seven demonstration territories across Russia. The project’s demonstration areas cover a number of ecosystems which allows building up a wealth of experience on preserving global biodiversity through long-term environmental sustainability of biomes in the arctic, tundra and boreal forest areas, and vulnerable ecosystems of the Far East.
The project was developed to mitigate weakness in addressing biodiversity management in the Russian energy sector. In the project document it was identified that the core of the weakness is the fact that the general principle of “avoid-minimize-restore-compensate” with respect to biodiversity is not followed.

Two major barriers are identified:

• Barrier 1 - The current legal and policy environment promotes quick maximization of financial returns in the energy sector, underestimates biodiversity risks, and excludes positive incentives for biodiversity friendly investment;
• Barrier 2 - Inadequate knowledge, technology and management culture.

The project is characterized by a focus on practical validation and introduction in the demonstration territories of modern methods and practices within energy sector industries compatible with the principles of biodiversity preservation. It is simultaneously centered on three energy sectors – oil, coal, hydropower – with the purpose of mainstreaming biodiversity in business management practices.

In particular the project will:

• Compile best available practices for sound biodiversity management and conservation;
• Set up an open platform for best available practices collection, codification, exchange and dissemination;
• Support an on-going dialogue among energy companies, government, NGOs and professional community on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation in the production sector.

This particular ToR is focused on hydropower sector. The UNDP/GEF project “Mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into Russia’s energy sector policies and operations” aims, among others, a more responsible, sustainable development of the hydropower sector in Russia, by making key sector organizations – legislative and executive governing authorities, developers, operators, and financers – more aware and accountable of the sector’s environmental impacts, through the application of better environmental performance standards. 

To strengthen the knowledge and understanding of hydropower sector stakeholders in Russia on best practices applied worldwide related to alternative considerations and better management of biodiversity-related issues in the sector, the UNDP/GEF project prepared a draft “Compendium of innovative solutions to biodiversity for the hydropower sector”. The compendium presents examples not only of technical approaches to reduce hydropower sector impact on biodiversity, but also of best practice planning processes applied, on assessing impacts on biodiversity as well company management arrangements to avoid and mitigate negative impacts, including data management and reporting.

To further strengthen the practical understanding of a management approach to comprehensively plan for avoiding and minimizing impacts from hydropower development on biodiversity, in its demonstration area in the Amur Oblast the UNDP/GEF project entered into a quadripartite agreement on the conservation of biodiversity related to the construction of the Nizhne-Bureyskaya hydroelectric power plant (NBHPP). Other signatory partners are the JSC NBHPP, the directorate for the protection and use of wildlife and protected areas (DPUWPA) of the Amur Region and the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Amur region (MNR-AM). The agreement also includes a detailed distribution of responsibilities between the parties with regard to the implementation of environmental and compensatory measures during the construction and operation of the NBHPP.

The NBHPP is currently under construction on the Bureya river, a tributary to the Amur river, and the initial filling of the reservoir is planned to start in 2016. The filling of the reservoir and the subsequent operations of the NBHPP is envisioned to cause significant impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and natural habitats in the flooded zone as well as in the downstream river section. 

The signatory parties to the quadripartite agreement have expressed the wish to enter into a process of developing a consolidated biodiversity action plan (BAP) for the NBHPP. In line with international best practice, a BAP can be described as a set of agreed actions that will lead to the conservation or enhancement of biodiversity in relation to a specific project. Besides being a suitable instrument for a government authority to elaborate the basis for policy development and normative-legislative regulations, a BAP is also increasing used by the private sector to guide their economic development projects within established principles of sustainability. A BAP typically builds upon environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA), and fits into any corporate framework of environmental management plans or systems (EMP, EMS), or likewise instruments used to address possible impacts of development activities on the environment, including biodiversity.

A typical BAP includes:

• Comprehensive description and assessment of pre-project biodiversity features;
• Comprehensive description of all envisioned project-specific impacts on biodiversity;
• Establishment of priorities for biodiversity conservation;
• Formulation of objectives and measurable targets to address priority biodiversity conservation issues;
• Description of actions and activities to be undertaken to reach objectives and targets;
• Budget and timelines for the implementation of defined actions, financial arrangements;
• Institutional partnerships for implementation of the BAP;
• Description of involvement, awareness raising and capacity building of relevant stakeholders;
• M&E plan to ensure that the measures outlined in the BAP are implemented effectively, that corporate management is adaptive against its outcomes.

As part of a past initiative, the UNDP/GEF project prepared a draft table of content for the NBHPP BAP, which shall be evaluated, reconsidered and adapted as needed during the inception phase of the envisioned contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant shall provide leading inputs to prepare a BAP in line with best international practices. The BAP shall include a consolidated set of actions formulated for the mitigation and enhancement of biodiversity in response to identified or expected impacts from the ongoing construction and planned operation of the NBHPP in the Amur Oblast.

Specifically the consultant shall:

Describe the enabling framework for developing the NBHPP BAP, with respect to relevant RusHydro’s corporate policies on the environment and sustainability, adopted international, national and/or regional strategic & legislative-regulatory frameworks for biodiversity conservation, specifically Russia’s national biodiversity strategy & action plan adopted under the country’s obligations to the convention on biodiversity conservation, as well as international best practice guidance for addressing impacts on biodiversity from private sector development, specifically the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) performance standard 6 “Biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources”.

Prepare a baseline description of environmental and biodiversity features of the zone of impact of the NBHPP. This shall include:

• Environmental baseline;
• Biodiversity baseline – flora, fauna and habitats, with specific focus on valuable biodiversity (rare, endangered, endemic, restricted- range, charismatic or otherwise important species occurring year-round or seasonally in the region) as well as critical habitats;
• Identification of priorities for biodiversity conservation.

Summarize envisioned key threats and impacts from the NBHPP on biodiversity

Formulate measures to mitigate impacts from the NBHPP on biodiversity, including:

• Status of mitigation measures implemented to date;
• Additional proposed priority measures, if any, to mitigate impacts from the NBHPP on biodiversity;
• Overview of data completeness and recommendations for additional data collection needed;
• Monitoring requirements to assess outputs from the implementation of mitigation measures and needs for adaptive management.
• Include the «avoid-mitigate-restore-offset» biodiversity mitigation hierarchy into BAP.
• Review of lessons learned in planning and implementing biodiversity mitigation measures in hydropower development.

Work of the consultant shall be based on identified literature sources, which shall be listed accordingly in the final BAP, as well as relevant corporate documentation prepared during the early stage (planning), preparation (design) and implementation (construction) phases of the NBHPP project.

The UNDP/GEF project shall be responsible for arranging delivery of all relevant information to the consultant in digital format. As available and relevant, this may include, but not be limited to, information and data related to past and present monitoring activities by RusHydro, any of its subsidiaries or subcontractors in relation to the planning, construction and operation of the NBHPP. As appropriate and requested, the consultant may need to sign a declaration of confidentiality with respect to the distribution of information and/or data to third parties.

For the completion of tasks under this consultancy, the consultant shall not conduct nor arrange for conducting any field-based data collection.

A detailed table of content (ToC) for the BAP will be proposed by the consultant at the start of the consultancy, to be formally approved by the UNDP/GEF project team, RusHydro and relevant regional government authorities in the Amur Oblast.

The ToC shall be designed in line with international best practice corporate examples, making use of IFC’s performance requirement 6 and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association’s (IPIECA) guide to developing biodiversity action plans for the oil & gas sector. In line with IPIECA’s recommendations this shall include:

• (i) Formulate prerequisites;
• (ii) Establish priorities for conservation;
• (iii) Identify conservation actions;
• (iv) Implement the BAP;
• (v) M&E and improvement; and (vi) reporting, communication and verification.

Expected outcomes and tentative timeframe

The results of the study will be delivered in the form of a BAP report with appendices. The report will be structured based on the categories of specific duties and responsibilities discussed in chapter 2.

The report is proposed to be developed into 3 stages:

Inception Phase:

• Preparation of the detailed table of content (ToC) for the NBHPP BAP, approval of the ToC by relevant stakeholders – UNDP/GEF project team, RusHydro, regional government authorities in the Amur Oblast.

Stage deliverable:

• Approved ToC of BAP in the JCS «NBHPP».

Development Phase-1:

• preparation of the draft BAP document chapters 1-4 outlining introduction, legal requirements, project overview, BAP development need, goals and phases to be approved in the JCS «NBHPP».

Development Phase-2:

• Preparation of the full draft BAP document in line with the approved ToC, based on existing materials provided by the UNDP/GEF project, RusHydro, others as relevant.

Stage deliverable:

• Approved full draft approved BAP in the JCS «NBHPP».

Approval Phase:

• Presentation of the draft BAP document to relevant stakeholders. Submission of written recommendations by relevant stakeholders, discussion of recommendations, and preparation of the revised final BAP for the NBHPP.

Stage deliverable:

• Approved revised as per recommendations and discussions full BAP for the NBHPP.

Each stage report shall be submitted for review at the end of the stage. The consultant shall maintain appropriate records of resources consulted. Comments to each report shall be provided by a specially designated representative of the UNDP/GEF project, involving other experts as needed. Skype conversations between the consultant and UNDP/GEF project representatives can be organized as needed based on mutual agreement.

All reports shall be submitted in concise and grammatically correct English and presented in electronic form in MS Word format.

The international consultant is expected to work 36 weeks (60 working days + missions) within the following tentative framework:

• Stage 1 – 6 weeks – Inception phase;
• Stage 2 – 6 weeks – Development phase-1;
• Stage 3 – 12 weeks – Development phase-2;
• Stage 4 – 12 weeks – Approval phase.      

The timeframe includes time allocated for the review process by the UNDP/GEF project, and shall be considered indicative in line with stakeholder consultations.

The consultant shall submit the results of his/her work in accordance with the established stages and time schedule. The beginning and end dates of the stages, as well as the work scope under each stage may be adjusted by the project manager subject to the consultant’s sound reasoning, or time allocated by the project manager for the report review process, and shall be considered indicative also in line with planned expert consultations.

Payment Terms

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. The international consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative expenses associated with the assignment which includes all printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies included in this assignment.

Payments will be released in 3 instalments to be made upon timely submission of respective deliverables in English and their acceptance by the project manager.

The remuneration of work performed will be conducted as follows:

• First payment: 20 % of the total contract amount upon approval of the stage 2 (Development phase 1);
• Second payment: 40 % of the total contract amount upon approval of the stage 3 (Development phase 2);
• Final payment: 40 % of the total contract amount upon approval of the final BAP document.

Competencies

• Excellent communications and presentation skills;
• Good analytical and writing skills;
• Ability to use modern technology;
• Ability to share knowledge and experience;
• Client oriented, capable of team working;
• Ability to perform under tight deadlines and timely task performance, ethics and honesty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Higher education in the corresponding field (environmental science, ecology, conservation research, natural resources management);
• Master degree in engineering.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of the work experience in projects related to freshwater resources and biodiversity management, preferably related to energy sector operations;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in assessing ecological impacts from river-related developments, specifically hydropower, and implementing and reporting with respect to monitoring programs.

Languages:

• Fluent English (spoken and written). Good knowledge of the Russian language is an asset.

Other:

• Knowledge of international best practices on minimizing impact on biodiversity from HPP development, as formulated in environmental management plans, BAPs, etc.;
• Understanding of principles and practices of environmental flow regimes in relation to development;
• Significant work experience in Russian speaking countries including Russia and/or CIS countries on environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring and with river basin biodiversity projects is a plus;
• Experience in working with international organizations, including UN/UNDP, is preferred but not required.

Evaluation of applicants

Applications will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

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

• a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11/CV desk review and technical assessment) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Candidates who pass the technical scoring threshold will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points (desk review – 45 points; technical assessment – 25 points):

• Master degree in engineering, environmental science or equivalent (10 points);
• At least 10 years of the work experience in projects related to freshwater resources and biodiversity management, preferably related to energy sector operations and at least 5 years of professional experience in the field of assessing ecological impacts from river-related developments, specifically hydropower, and implementing and reporting with respect to monitoring programs (10 points);
• Knowledge of and experience with international best practices on minimizing impact on biodiversity from HPP development, as formulated in environmental management plans, BAPs, and an understanding of principles and practices on environmental flow regimes in relation to development (10 points);
• Work experience in Russian speaking countries including Russia and/or former CIS countries is a plus (5 points);
• Experience in working with international organizations, including UN/UNDP, is preferred but not required (5 points);
• Language skills: Fluent English writing and communication skills, good knowledge of the Russian language is an asset (5 point).

Technical Assessment – 25 points.  Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications by September 25, 2015 4 pm CET.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (based or commenting on the requirements indicated in this TOR);
• Filled  P11 Personal History form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees;
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days – in home office and on mission, international travel, per diems and any other possible costs), using the template below.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please make sure you have provided all requested information:

Home Based Work                            days            man/days         rate/USD          total USD

Work on mission                                

Mission 1 to Moscow                            days          man/days         rate/USD          total USD

Mission 2 to Moscow                           days              man/days         rate/USD          total USD

Sub-total fee                                                                                                              total USD

Travel costs                                  

International travel to/from country/ies     days              missions           rate/USD          total USD

DSA                                                           days              overnights         rate/USD         total USD

Local travel                                                                  destination       rate/USD          total USD

Sub-total travel costs                                                                                                    total USD

Total                                                                                                                            total USD

Estimates are indicated in the TOR, the applicant is requested to review and revise, if applicable.

Add rows as needed.                                  

UN DSA for Moscow is US$464 per day but the international consultant can bid lower amount.                             

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of service, etc.). All envisaged international travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN medical director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.