UNDP Jobs - 68536- International Consultant

International Consultant – Technical Advisor for PAN and NBSAP Project

Location :

Port Louis, MAURITIUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2016

Application Deadline :

22-Oct-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

175 working days (8 field missions and home-based) until April 2018

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

175 working days (8 field missions and home-based) until April 2018

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

Project titles:

GEF-funded UNDP-supported NIM-executed ‘Expanding coverage and Management Effectiveness of the Protected Area Network (PAN) on the island of Mauritius’ and ‘National Biodiversity Planning to Support the implementation of the CBD 2011-2020 Strategic Plan in Mauritius’ project’

Project Description:

Under the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security, the following two projects (funded by the Global Environment Facility) are being implemented and a Technical Advisor is required to overlook both projects.

PAN Project

Mauritius, like most oceanic islands, has high levels of floral and faunal endemicity and has suffered high extinction rates caused by a growing human population, habitat destruction and degradation. In order to safeguard the remaining biodiversity, the Government of Mauritius have established a terrestrial protected area network on the mainland, and associated offshore islets, comprising 20 formal state protected areas (8027ha). This is supplemented by a number of different types of less secure conservation areas (7,168ha), under varying levels of protection. Under current conditions, the terrestrial protected area network (PAN) is however not effectively safeguarding the country’s unique terrestrial biodiversity because: a number of natural ecosystem processes, habitats and species are not adequately represented in the existing PAS; the capacity of the institutions responsible for the planning and management of the protected areas is generally weak; and the technical knowledge to cost-effectively contain the threats to biodiversity within the PAN is under-developed.

Refer to detailed TOR for more description about PAN Project.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)

In 2013, Mauritius accessed the Biodiversity Enabling Activity (BD EA) funding window of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for updating its NBSAP. The objective of the BD EA project is to integrate Mauritius obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) into its national development and sectoral planning frameworks through a renewed and participative ‘biodiversity planning’ and strategizing process, in a manner that is in line with the global guidance contained in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020.

Refer to detailed TOR for more description about NBSAP Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The Technical Advisor (TA) will be responsible for the technical quality control of Projects and support through advisory and capacity building services to the overall process.

For PAN project, he/she will support the Project Management Unit (PMU) in developing Annual Workplan and overall strategy for dynamic implementation by providing an international perspective on PA management and expansion. He/she will provide technical inputs, trainings, prepare/review of Terms of Reference and review of the outputs and deliverables of consultants and other sub-contractors, build capacities and provide technical support to stakeholders in the areas of protected area management and planning, management of Invasive Alien species removal activities, knowledge and information management, communication and marketing, monitoring, and impact assessment.

For NBSAP project he/she will provide technical leadership and support through advisory and capacity building services to the overall process of the stocktaking, stakeholder consultation, and national target setting. He/she will be an experienced individual, with wide international experience in biodiversity management, including in Africa and preferably in SIDS and will be responsible for the technical quality control on the process of drafting and finalizing the NBSAP, and a number of other related products.

Duties and Responsibilities:
For PAN project:

Support the Project Manager in reviewing / assessing the work and deliverables of all consultants and sub-contractors, ensuring the technical quality and timely delivery of expected outputs; Ensure an effective synergy among the various consultancies and sub-contracted activities for the timely and effective implementation of all components of the project;
Contribute to the preparation of Terms of Reference / Request for Proposals for consultants and sub-contractors, participate in the selection process and assessment of consultants’ CVs or Firms proposals; review CVs and technical proposals and provide comments to the Bid Evaluation Committee on procurement and recruitment as required;
Contribute to the preparation of Terms of Reference and operationalisation of the PAN Stewardship Unit and the PAN Conservation Planning Units;
Track the implementation of the Action Plan in response to the Mid-Term Review;
Support the Project Manager in preparing and revising project action plans, work plans and financial plans;
Contribute to the development of the Project’s sustainability plan;
Provide any required input to ensure timely submission of the Combined Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), Technical Reports, quarterly financial reports, and other reports as may be required by UNDP, GEF, DGA and other relevant agencies, as per his role of Technical Quality Control;
Provide technical support to the operationalisation of the PAN Knowledge Management framework and overseeing the sharing of experiences and lessons learned with all institutional stakeholders and community based integrated conservation activities both nationally and internationally;
Make recommendations to the Project Steering Committee for more effective implementation / coordination of project and capacity building / training activities;
Assist community groups, NGOs, staff, students and others with development of essential skills through training workshops (training on protected area management, conservation of biodiversity, management of Invasive Alien Species, conservation stewardship) and on the job training thereby upgrading their capabilities, following the developed detailed training plan;
Advise personnel responsible for marketing and communication, for documentaries, TV spots, guidebooks and awareness campaign, and review all communications and awareness raising material produced for technical soundness, clarity and conciseness, etc.

For NBSAP project:

Provide technical support and advice of high technical quality to the Ministry of Agro-industry, the National Parks and Conservation Services and other stakeholders for the preparation and finalization of the second NBSAP;
Assist the Enabling Activity Coordinator in striking the right balance with respect to the scope of project, its duration and budget, and the tasks to be accomplished by the different project stakeholders and consultants. This will imply support in coordination of working groups and supporting the Coordinator in recruitment of consultants and procurement of service providers upon request;
Help the coordinator and working groups in preparing and submitting all studies and reports of the NBSAP activities to the Coordinator, key national implementing partners and UNDP technical staff, as per reporting timelines agreed upon or before the inception meeting;
Act as workshop / working group facilitator upon request (training resources may be drawn from the NBSAP Forum (nbsapforum.net);
Ensure that all Climate Change-related issues highlighted in the second National Communication to the UNFCCC that affect Biodiversity (Adaptation) or are affected by Biodiversity (Mitigation) are integrated and addressed in the final NBSAP. Guidance from the Ad hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) will apply;
Ensure that all lessons learnt in the mainstreaming of biodiversity into the production sectors are incorporated into the NBSAP;
Identify implementation partners for the undertaking of the various activities and develop an overall implementation plan;
Submit a final draft NBSAP to the National Project Director, incorporating stakeholder inputs and guidance provided.

In addition, the incumbent will help populate the NBSAP Forum pages relevant to Mauritius by:

creating a lively, globally linked and primarily electronic community of practice related to the NBSAP revision and implementation process in the country;
facilitating the adherence to and engagement of national stakeholders in the NBSAP Forum.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The Technical Advisor shall be remunerated in accordance with the following time schedule and deliverables:

Activity – Fees (%)

PAN project:

Produce an approved assignment work plan – 10%;
Produce approved TORs for the PAN Stewardship Unit and the PAN Conservation Planning Units – 8%;
Update the existing multi-year workplan for the remainder of the project – 4%;
Facilitate the PAN Knowledge Management Framework Orientation Workshop – 4%;
Finalise production of the Good Practice Guide to Forest Restoration in Mauritius – 8%;
Facilitate the Stakeholder Workshop to launch the PAN Expansion Strategy – 4%;
Finalise a monitoring protocol to review the effectiveness of Project communication and outreach activities – 4%;
Produce a Conservation Stewardship Agreement Template – 4%;
Provide timely technical inputs for the preparation of the Project Implementation Report – 4%;
Technical assistance and backstopping for awareness activities – 4%;
Facilitate the Stakeholder Workshop to review PAN Expansion Strategy implementation – 4%;
Review of all training materials and the implementation of the technical training programme in technical training modules in protected area management for Mauritian protected area institution staff – 8%;
Facilitate the final Stakeholder Workshop to review PAN Expansion Strategy implementation – 4%;
Production of Project Sustainability Plan – 4%;
Calculate end of Project METT, Financial and Capacity Development Scorecards – 8%.

NBSAP project:

Produce an approved assignment work plan – 2%;
Biodiversity Targets for Republic of Mauritius established as part of national efforts to implement the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020 (including workshop/working group facilitation) – 2%;
Finalisation of Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Mauritius comprising the following – 6%:

Sub-product 1 - Study on Ecosystem Valuation in the Republic of Mauritius;

Sub-product 2 - Study on Advances in Sectoral Mainstreaming in Mauritius;

Sub-product 3 - Study on the Incorporation of Challenges and Opportunities linked to ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Resilience within Mauritius’ protected area network.

Set of ‘straight-forward’ and feasible NBSAP implementation plans, which ensure the effective implementation of the Action Plan contained in the NBSAP produced – 4%;
Technical inputs into a fully functional CHM for Mauritius, based on best international good practice – 4%.

Refer to detailed TOR for more description about expected output and deliverables.

Duration of the Work

The Technical Adviser shall be for 175 working days (8 field missions and home-based) until April 2018 with the following breakdown:

PAN project: 145 days (105 field mission days and 40 days home based);
NBSAP Project: 30 days (15 field mission days and 15 days home based).

Duty Station

During the field-based part of the assignment, the Technical Adviser will be based as relevant at the National Parks and Conservation Services, Reduit.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of program, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responses positively to feedback.

Skills:

Knowledge of Project Adaptive Management, as applied to conservation or natural resource management projects;
Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
Ability to train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills, excellent written communication skills;
A good personality with strong leadership skills;
Ability to administer budgets;
Strong computer skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree (Masters or PhD) in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management or other relevant field; PhD is desirable but not a requirement.

Experience:

At least 15 years of experience in natural resources planning and management, preferably protected areas planning and management (Protected Areas Network expansion, Invasive Alien Species removal, land use planning and management, PAN financial sustainability, PAN management effectiveness, institutional framework for biodiversity conservation, etc.);
Of which minimum 10 years specific experience at international level in Biodiversity planning, protected area management strategies, capacity building, action plans, global biodiversity targets;
Very good knowledge of the NBSAP updating process, preferably with experience developing/updating at least 1 NBSAP;
Excellent, demonstrable knowledge of CBD Strategic Plan’s Aichi Targets;
Working experience with private sector and project national stakeholder institutions and agencies is desired;
Experience with GEF Tracking Tools (financial scorecard and METT) is an asset;
Knowledge of SIDS Biodiversity challenges would be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is a must. Knowledge of French and Creole is an asset.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial offer should be quoted as a lump sum amount, all-inclusive (professional fee, insurance, all travel costs, per diem, etc.). In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. In the case of unforeseeable travel (additional mission for example), payment of travel costs including tickets, accommodation and terminal expenses should be agreed upon prior to travel between UNDP and Individual Consultant and will be reimbursed.

Payments will be effected based on deliverables as per above.