UNDP Jobs - 60836- Protected Area Specialist

Protected Area Specialist - Enhancing Effectiveness and Financial Sustainability in Malaysia

Location :

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Dec-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

150 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12.5 months (16 December 2015 - 31 December 2016)

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 is one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world, with a wealth of biological diversity in its terrestrial and marine zones. The flora and fauna of Malaysia exceedingly rich and is conservatively estimated to contain about 12,500 species of flowering plants, approximately 307 species of mammals, more than 742 species of birds, and 547 species of reptiles, including a large number of endemics. In order to safeguard the globally significant biodiversity, Malaysia has established networks of protected areas (PAs). In Peninsular Malaysia alone, there are at least four PA networks covering a total area of 2.98 million hectares managed by different agencies including the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC), Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC) and state forestry departments. PAs under different networks are governed laws with varying degree of protection status, and gazetting and de-gazetting procedures. There is no single national system or framework in Malaysia for protected area management.

What is common between the different PA networks is that these PAs are largely characterized as sub-optimally managed and severely underfinanced. There are four main reasons for this: i) non-existent of uniform system of national PAs under a common umbrella for achievement of biodiversity conservation goals; ii) insufficient understanding of economic values of PAs and essential contribution they make to national development; iii) insufficient incentives on the part of state government to invest in PA management due to the perception that they are foregoing revenue generation opportunities through other forms of land use; and iv) sub-optimal capacity at the PA management agencies for site management and PA system management.

The GEF in 2012 has approved a project titled “ Enhancing Effectiveness and Financial Sustainability of Protected Areas in Malaysia” (PA Financing), which is implemented by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) and supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The objective of the project is to establish a performance based financing structure for effective protected area system management in Malaysia.

Under Component/Outcome 1, the PA Financing project is expected to establish a national framework in support of developing a national protected area system, with uniform criteria for protected area establishment and management standards that are in line with international best practices. This national framework will provide a solid foundation for the performance based financing structure to incentivize protected area establishment and enhanced protected area management at the state/sub-national level.

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

Project document: http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/enhancing-effectiveness-and-financial-sustainability-of-protecte.html;
Project Inception Report: refer to Annex I PA Financing Project Inception Report, which can be downloaded from http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement;/MyIC%202015-029%20Annex%20I%20PA%20Financing%20Project%20Inception%20Report.pdf.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP Malaysia is seeking for a Protected Area Specialist to develop a National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia with the following tasks:

To determine the types of habitats and ecosystems represented in the existing system of protected areas gazetted under the federal and state legislations;
To conduct gap analysis on the representation of key and critical habitats and ecosystems in the existing system of protected areas in Malaysia for future incorporation, based on Global Aichi Biodiversity Target 11;
To develop a standardized set of national PA categories/classification based on regional and global adopted criteria and classification for consultation with key stakeholders including NGO, academics, communities etc.;
To draft the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia;
To facilitate consultations with Federal and State Governments, and relevant protected area authorities on the preparation and adoption of the National Framework;
To prepare a strategy and action plan to operationalize the National Framework;
To provide inputs to the communication and advocacy process to build consensus for the implementation of the National Framework.

Expected outputs:

The expert would be expected to produce the following:

Reports of the Consultation and/or Working Sessions with stakeholders;
Gap Analysis Report;
Draft National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia. A detailed record of consultations with stakeholders will need to be produced and provided, as an annex to the National Framework;
Strategy and Action Plan for the operationalization of the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia.

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);
Facilitate stakeholder consultation session/workshop/write shop to solicit inputs and complete the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia.

Handling of data, information and documents

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 development of the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia.

All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and UNDP Malaysia upon completion of this assignment.

Institutional arrangement:

Reporting Structure

The specialist will report to the Programme Manager of UNDP Malaysia, and work under the guidance of the Project Management Unit led by the National Project Director, Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
He/she will also work closely with the Legal Analyst in the preparation of the National Framework.

Duty Station:

The specialist will be based at his/her home office unless meetings and/or consultation sessions with UNDP Malaysia, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and relevant stakeholders are held. Scheduling of meetings and/or consultation sessions (frequency & duration) will be arranged and fixed based on discussion between the specialist and the PA Financing project team. The specialist is responsible for his/her own travel arrangement.

Briefing to Specialist:

Upon appointment, the specialist will receive a detailed briefing by UNDP Malaysia on the required scope of work and work plan.

Duration:

The assignment will require 150 working days starting from 15 December 2015 to 31 December 2016 and missions to the following locations:

Ipoh, State of Perak;
Kuantan, State of Pahang;
Kuala Terengganu, State of Terengganu;
Kota Bahru, State of Kelantan;
Nusajaya/Johor Bahru, State of Johor;
Kota Kinabalu, State of Sabah;
Kuching, State of Sarawak.

Deliverables and timeline

The specialist will be responsible for the delivery, content, technical quality and accuracy of the deliverables. All deliverables shall be submitted to the Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia in accordance to Annex II Deliverables and Timeline. Applicants may propose a different timeline.

Payment of payment

The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by PA Financing Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia. For payment in instalments, certification of satisfactory performance at each phase is required.

10% (15 working days) upon submission and acceptance of detailed work plan including approach/methodology, stakeholder mapping and data/information requirement by PA Financing Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia;
20% (30 working days) upon submission and acceptance of a Gap Analysis Report by PA Financing Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia;
30% (45 working days) upon submission and acceptance of the First Draft of the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia by PA Financing Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia;
20% (30 working days) upon submission and acceptance of the Final Draft of the National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia by PA Financing Project Management Unit and UNDP Malaysia;
20% (30 working days) upon submission and acceptance of the Strategy and Action Plan for the operationalization of National Framework for Protected Area System in Malaysia.

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. The technical proposal should include the following:

Overview of protected area management in Malaysia;
Detailed methodology on how to conduct the assignment;
Indicative outline for the National Framework on Protected Area System in Malaysia;
Indicative outline for the Strategy and Action Plan;
Indicative list of key stakeholders;
Milestone chart.

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, which can be downloaded from http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC%202015-029%20Annex%20II%20-%20IV.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 (technical and financial proposals, and P11 Form) into one PDF file. (The system does not allow more than 1 attachment).

For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org and put the reference number MyIC_2015_029 as the subject title before 20 October 2015.

Incomplete submission shall not be considered.

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;
Demonstrated capacity of team-orientation work, excellent planning and organizational skills;
Sensitivity and respect for human rights and gender equality.

Functional competencies:

Excellent organizational skills;
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
Ability to prepare and deliver reports and presentations in a timely manner;
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 UNDP, government, academics and civil society strongly desired.

Required Skills and Experience

This assignment is open to Malaysian nationals and residents only.

Education:

Postgraduate degree (PhD or Masters) in ecology, environmental science/management, protected area management, wildlife conservation, zoology or related discipline.
A first degree in ecology, environmental science/management, protected area management, wildlife conservation, zoology 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 professional experience in protected area conservation and management;
Solid knowledge of protected areas in Malaysia;
Solid knowledge of IUCN protected area categories;
Demonstrated experience in drafting policy documents/strategy/action plan and reports (please provide evidence/records/references);
Experience in facilitating and presenting in stakeholder consultation sessions, workshops or write shops;
Experience in working with government agencies and UNDP.

Language:

Excellent command of English and Malay.