UNDP Jobs - 65370- Project Expert, Resource Mobilization for Biodiver

Project Expert, Resource Mobilization for Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation

Location :

Astana, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

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

In 2010, during the meeting of the Biodiversity Convention (BC) parties in Japan, the international community defined a range of global tasks aimed at biodiversity funding shortage replenishment, as according to the international research, biodiversity conservation funding gaps were 130 - 440 bn. USD annually. In this connection, the countries - BC parties should activate their efforts to provide the funds to perform 20 target tasks approved in Aichi and specified in the Strategic Biodiversity Plan for 2011-2020.

Task 20 of Aichi urges the countries to evaluate their financial needs and to mobilize financial resources for efficient BC Strategic Plan performance at the national level. In addition, by the decision ?/3 of the 10th Parties Conference, the BC asks the Parties to inform on their financial needs, deficit and priorities associated with the national implementation of resources mobilization strategy and to prepare national financial plans on biodiversity conservation.

According to the existing practice in Kazakhstan, up to 90% of environmental activities are funded by the state budget. Within this, there is a trend of allocated budget reduction, which can eventually cause the environmental tasks failure and ecosystems and biodiversity degradation.

In this context, UNDP projects “Creation of transformation policy and financial mechanisms to increase investments in biodiversity management” (Biofin), “Economic evaluation mechanisms for improved decision-making process and commitments management within the global environmental agreements” (??2), and “Increase of the protected areas sustainability in desert ecosystems through the promotion of biodiversity compatible livelihoods in and around the protected areas” (Desert project) are aimed at providing support for the countries in extending the range of biodiversity financing mechanisms, in involving the private sector in these issues and achieving the tasks set forth within such international agreements as BC, CCD, UN FCCC etc. Three projects synergy allows to comprehensively mobilize resources (funding) through the new economic mechanisms which have not been used in Kazakhstan before.

Extending the funding and resources mobilization in Kazakhstan provides adjustment of the range of regulatory legal acts in the field of payments and taxation, subsidizing, evaluation and compensatory payments along with the budgetary provisions stimulation for the needs of biodiversity and related ecosystem services. Biodiversity funding is the investment that can help to solve the problems and tasks more extensively in such areas as food security, water resources management, disaster risk reduction, livelihoods provision, poverty reduction and economic growth.

Such economic biodiversity funding mechanisms as payments for ecosystem services (PES), compensatory payments for biodiversity and ecosystems loss (offset), market certification, tax incentives, positive subsidies etc. are successfully used in the world. These economic mechanisms approved themselves as successful biodiversity and ecosystems conservation investment mechanisms, developing different cooperation levels between the subsoil users. They are new for Kazakhstan and they can be introduced through the pilot projects demonstration and legal reforms.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project expert is responsible for promotion of PES and compensatory mechanisms for biodiversity and ecosystems loss (offset) in Kazakhstan, scheduled and implemented within UNDP Biofin and CB2 projects.

Project expert provides timely and rational planning, activities performance and results achievement in accordance with the project document and prepares reports on the implementation of the approved activities associated with the implementation of PES pilot schemes and compensatory mechanisms for biodiversity and ecosystems loss (offset).

The main functions of the Expert are not limited by Biofin and CB2 projects and provide the involvement into other UNDP initiatives in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

The main aim of the project expert is successful demonstration of resources mobilization for biodiversity and ecosystems conservation through PES schemes and compensatory mechanisms:

Proficiency in PES mechanism biodiversity conservation policy and practice:

Prepares the feasibility for the need of PES schemes introduction;
Jointly with the stakeholders works out PES pilot schemes taking into account the economic and social status of the regions;
Compiles the list of the stakeholders and creates working groups on each of the planned PES schemes;
Defines the list of resources required for PES launch (technical assistance, trainings, financial support etc.);
Thinks over the institutional payments collection, allocation and monitoring mechanism;
Establishes the efficient cooperation with the relevant state authorities in PES pilot schemes implementation in Ile-Balkhash and Aral-Syrdarya districts;
Organizes working meetings with the stakeholders and agrees PES pilot schemes on each stage of their implementation;
Jointly with the industrial experts prepares draft PES contracts between the ecosystem services suppliers and consumers;
Studies the practice of other countries on PES and introduces proposals on PES schemes adoption in Kazakhstan on a stable basis;
Provides performance of the necessary research, analysis and proposes possible policies on environmental activities funding systems improvement through PES schemes;
Participates in the work on legislative regulations implementation for PES introduction and compensatory mechanisms.

Proficiency in biodiversity conservation policy and practice through compensatory mechanism for the biodiversity loss (biodiversity offset):

Studies, analyses international practice of compensatory mechanism implementation for the biodiversity and ecosystems loss, prepares summary materials for publication;
Studies the project on “Kansu” gas field development in Mangystau region;
Participates in the work of the expert team on the ES economic analysis in order to work out compensatory mechanisms for the biodiversity loss at “Kansu” site near Ustyurt SNR;
Defines the list of resources required for the compensatory mechanisms promotion on the national level (technical assistance, trainings, financial support etc.);
Strengthens cooperation with the industrial enterprises, promotes the biodiversity conservation activities in the environmental activities plans of industrial and energy companies;

Planning and reporting:

Ensures an efficient planning of activities on PES and biodiversity offsetimplementation through the work plan development and ensures the achievement of tasks;
Develops draft terms of reference to perform contract and expert services;
Tracks the results achievement and activities performance by the employed industry experts;
Organizes meetings to agree the results of the investigations with all the stakeholders;
Prepares the minutes, resolutions of the conducted meetings, workshops and other activities;
Prepares reports within the performed tasks in accordance with the requirements of GEF, UNDP and monitoring and reporting forms in the field
Ensures the timely work execution;
Ensures the development and production of information leaflets, publications and other information materials within the works performed;
Attends workshops, trainings on economic biodiversity funding mechanisms;
Ensures execution of all documents prepared and used in PES and compensatory mechanisms implementation (full description of data, resources, assumptions and decisions; full references to data and information, as well as the responses of internal and external reviewers to the comments);
Makes timely proposals on topical issues to the members of PMC and Working Group on Biofin project implementation. Coordinates activities and results with the members of the Working Group on Biofin project implementation;
Carries out another functions within UNDP project activities in the field of biodiversity and for successful results achievement.

Competencies

Knowledge and skills:

demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards;
promotes the UNDP vision, mission and strategic goals;
demonstrates awareness and ability to adapt to the cultural, gender, religious, racial, national and age factors;
treats everyone fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree in economics or finance.

Work expereince:

Work experience of at least 5 years;
Work experience in the field of finance, economics, budget planning of at least 3 years;
Work experience with central and local state authorities, financial and non-governmental organizations;
Work experience in international/country projects in the field of natural resources, biodiversity management of at least 1 year;
Experience in strategic, industrial documents development, knowledge of statutory frameworks of biodiversity conservation in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
Experience in conducting research and preparation of analytical documentation, reports, publications, guidelines or other materials;
Computer skills, software products using skills.

Language Requirements:

Fluent oral and written Russian and English;
Knowledge of Kazakh language is desirable.

NB! How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through this site by clicking "APPLY NOW" button. Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (on the 2nd page of the applicatoin by selecting "UPLOAD RESUME" option) Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.

Please note that only short-listed applications will be contacted.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.