UNDP Jobs - 74552- Ref.2017-0051_International Expert in the Rio Conv

Ref.2017-0051_International Expert in the Rio Conventions

Location :

home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

09-Oct-2017

Application Deadline :

24-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 working days during October - November 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 months, part-time 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

Please note!

The proposal (max 10 MB) may be submitted by email to: procurement.kz@undp.org with the indication of Ref.2017-0051 in the subject line not later than September 24, 2017

For detailed information on the position, please refer to the Procurement Notice and Terms of Reference

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing or by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail assel.zhakupbekova@undp.org copying meruyert.bolyssayeva@undp.org

Background:

The UNDP-supported GEF-financed project CB2 is implemented in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Forestry and Wildlife Committee. The goal of this project is to put in place new approaches that will facilitate better development decisions for the global environment. To that end, the project objective will undertake a targeted set of activities to develop technical and institutional capacities for undertaking an economic valuation of global environmental goods and services as potentially impacted by proposed development policies, programmes, plans and projects. Specifically, the project will develop natural resource valuation tools for valuing global environmental benefits; provide training and learn-by-doing exercises on their use; and help institutionalize natural resource valuation.

The economic valuation of natural resources has increasingly gained significant interest and importance, more recently arising from the economic losses attributed to the impacts of climate change, land degradation and in a more in direct way from the loss of globally significant biodiversity. All three Rio Conventions and their accompanying instruments contain specific directives calling on countries to do their share to address these impacts. In more recent years, behavioral changes have been found to be more effective by having a more clear understanding of the economic costs and opportunities arising from the conservation of these shared environmental goods and services.

Kazakhstan ratified the Rio Conventions in different years, thus demonstrating its responsibility in the process of establishing a more sustainable global environment. A number of policy documents were adopted in the country that reflected ways of achieving the international goals aligned with the national priorities. At the same time, goals of the conventions in the field of valuation of natural resources, e.g. the Convention on Biological Diversity are not embodied in the current policy. There are gaps and it is necessary to revise current natural resource valuation standards, procedures, methods and tools and generally common policy of evaluating natural resources, including biological resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The purpose of the work is to develop guidelines on institutionalization and integration of the natural resource valuation and related commitments under the Rio Conventions into the national environmental policy of Kazakhstan.

The relevance of the work is determined by the fact that despite international obligations the system of economic appraisals of production resources is often used in the country where the cost-benefit analysis of sectors and particular enterprises takes place, investment projects and decisions are substantiated at all levels of governance. It is common systematic process, which helps to identify, assess and predict expected ecological consequences of natural resource use.

Such natural resource valuation tools as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Study (FS), protected areas cadaster, forest cadaster, fauna cadaster, including fish cadaster are currently used. They enable to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis, but do not take into account the economic value of resources. Mainstreaming economic valuation of biological resources, recommended by the Convention on Biological Diversity is not enshrined in the legislation and policy. Therefore, it is necessary to institutionalize and integrate the natural resource valuation and related commitments under the Rio Conventions into the national policy.

The results of the work will be sent to all stakeholders as a guidance in the decision-making process.

Scope of Work:

The expert will:

Study major strategic documents of Kazakhstan relating to the environment, national reports on fulfilment of obligations under the Rio Conventions. Develop a questionnaire and conduct an online survey (interview) of stakeholders with the purpose of the expert evaluation (analytical report) of compliance of the measures taken on natural resource valuation with the goals of the Conventions across sectors;
Study the results of the CB2 project and prepare an expert evaluation (analytical report) of the level of efforts and results to achieve the goals of the Rio Conventions by Kazakhstan;
Develop guidelines on institutionalization and integration of the natural resource valuation and related commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought and the Paris Climate Agreement into the national environmental policy of Kazakhstan;
Conduct online consultations and presentations of the work results for the project team

Competencies

Required competences:

Demonstrable analytical skills;
Planning and organization skills;
Excellent communication skills
Competence in adaptive management

Required Skills and Experience

MSc. (PhD would be an asset) in Natural Resources Management;
At least 10-year work experience in programmes and projects relating to conservation of biodiversity, combating desertification and drought, climate change;
Work experience in preparation of strategic documents in the field of conservation and use of natural resources;
Knowledge of the specific character of natural resources management in Central Asia would be an asset;
Fluency in English language, knowledge of Russian language would be an asset.

Application Procedure:

The application of the candidate shall include:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV and/or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Important Note!

The applications (max. 10 MB) may be sent to procurement.kz@undp.org indicating Ref.2017-0051 in the subject line of your e-mail.