Background

1. BACKGROUND

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assists the host Government to implement a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Full-Sized Project: “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity”.

Uzbekistan is globally and regionally important in terms of its biodiversity due to its location between the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian biogeographical regions. Its varying landscapes of high mountain ranges, wide steppes, deserts, riparian wetlands, and the Aral Sea has results in a wide diversity of habitats. UNDP, for many years, have supported the Government of Uzbekistan in tackling environmental challenges, including in the area of biodiversity.

UNDP/GEF and Republic of Uzbekistan project on “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity” will further support the country in addressing biodiversity conservation challenges, specifically with focusing on mountain ecosystems such as the western-most outliers of the western Tian Shan (Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Kuramin ranges) and Pamir-Alai (Gissar, Turkestan and Zaravshan ranges), which are home to the endangered snow leopard, and provide important habitat for its key prey species.

The project objective is ‘To enhance the conservation, and sustainable use, of natural resources in the biodiverse high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Uzbekistan’, and the project is structured into four components, with each component comprising a complementary suite of two to three outputs:

  1. Component 1: Landscape level planning and management decision-making;
  2. Component 2: Strengthening key biodiversity areas;
  3. Component 3: Sustainable economic development incentives for communities;

Component 4: Promoting cooperation and collaboration

Duties and Responsibilities

2. SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The ICSLR&MP will bear responsibility for the following project outputs and will undertake the following functions:

Outputs and deliverables presumed under this assignment will be performed in close collaboration and coordination with the Project Manager, Field Coordinator on knowledge management, national consultant on Snow Leopard Research and Monitoring Programme as well as local/national government agencies.

  • In cooperation with the local consultant on snow leopard monitoring and key stakeholders involved in conservation of snow leopard in Uzbekistan, develop a draft of national snow leopard research and monitoring programme that is consistent with international norms and standards while meeting national needs and priorities, including possible use of the following monitoring techniques, as well as other elements:

-  snow leopard and prey species (e.g. wild ungulates, marmots) transect surveys;

-  camera trapping;

- GPS collaring

-  DNA analyses of snow leopard faecal specimens;

-  assessment of threats for snow leopard and its prey species;

-  data storage and analysis;

-  data mapping

- stakeholder roles and responsibilities

  • Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of monitoring snow leopard populations using faecal DNA analysis;
  • In cooperation with local consultant on snow leopard monitoring and key stakeholders involved in conservation of snow leopard in Uzbekistan, identify key capacity and technology gaps for testing/implementation of the national SL monitoring programme and develop a plan to address these gaps;
  • To assist the project team to address identified gaps (e.g., selection of appropriate camera traps, software, and other equipment);
  • To assist the project team to establishment of the virtual National Snow Leopard Monitoring Center with the support of national consultant on SL monitoring;
  • To host specialist training sessions on the standards and procedures for different monitoring tools and techniques related to the national SL monitoring programme;
  • Provide support (written inputs, review of documentation, and possible attendance and presentations) for regional/international meetings on snow leopard conservation with neighbouring countries, including providing inputs to MoUs on sharing of monitoring data of transboundary populations of snow leopards and prey
  • To organize, with support of the project team, testing of the national SL monitoring system, including planning, methodological recommendations, field work, collection and analysis of survey data;
  • To organise presentations of the survey results to national stakeholders; and peer review publications of the survey results;
  • Based on the results of the system testing, modify the suggested SL monitoring programme; develop SL survey design for 2019-2020 and support its implementation;
  • To develop documentation for SL monitoring programme official approval by the country government, including inputs, review and editing of an annual national State of the Snow Leopard publication;
  • To provide technical backstopping support to national institutions in the implementation of the snow leopard research and monitoring programme
  • Provide inputs to the development of snow leopard conservation landscape management plans for two priority snow leopard landscapes, to support Uzbekistan in contributing to the GSLEP “20 by 2020” goal

 

Outputs

1. A draft national snow leopard research and monitoring programme developed.  This document is expected to include, but not be limited to:

  • Review and assessment of relevance of range of monitoring techniques in the context of Uzbekistan
  • Methodology on surveys of snow leopard and its prey species (e.g. wild ungulates, marmots);
  • Methodology on camera traps installation;
  • Assessment of most reliable and cost-effective methods of DNA analyses of snow leopards (e.g. faecal specimens);
  • Analysis and assessment of local threats to snow leopard and its prey species (e.g. HWC, climate change, etc.);
  • Methods on data collection, aggregation, storage, management, analysis and mapping.

2. A briefing paper evaluating the relevance and cost-effectiveness of DNA analysis for purposes related to snow leopard research, management and conservation prepared.

3. A plan developed to address key capacity and technology gaps for testing/implementation of national snow leopard monitoring programme.

4. Recommendations on appropriate models of camera traps, software and hardware, and other equipment for implementation of the snow leopard monitoring programme provided.

5. Various monitoring tools and techniques as part of the snow leopard monitoring programme developed, and training modules developed and implemented.

6. National snow leopard monitoring system tested which includes, but not limited to, planning, stakeholder engagement, methodological recommendations, field work, collection and analysis of survey data.

7. Review of technical and scientific research publications produced based on data from snow leopard monitoring program, and review of publications of monitoring results.

8. Final draft of the snow leopard monitoring programme developed as well as the survey design for 2019-2020.

9. Documentation for SL monitoring programme officially approved by the country government prepared

10. Reports on country missions and/or participation in snow leopard monitoring activities, trainings and other meetings prepared and submitted. 

11. At least one mission to Uzbekistan per year for a total of 10 to 20 working days each is envisaged.

 

Competencies

Core Competencies

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

Functional Competencies

  • Excellent analytical and research skills;
  • Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational);
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in and with teams;
  • Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

  • Education: Advanced degree (master's level, equivalent or higher) in the field of environment, natural resources management, zoology/biology, or biodiversity-related field.
  • Experience: at least 10 years of practical experience in:
  • Experience in Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects, and in particular focused on promoting sustainable ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, and experience in Central Asian countries will be an asset;
  • Overall experience in work with international nature/biodiversity conservation organizations/NGOs;
  • Experience in wildlife monitoring (e.g. key species of flora and fauna) and data management, and experience in snow leopard conservation will be an asset;
  • Overall experience in work with protected areas, science and research.
  • Language Requirements: Proficiency in English, excellent analytical and presentation skills; working knowledge of written and spoken Russian language will be an asset.
  • Others: Good understanding of local policies and practices in protected areas management. Outstanding time-management, organizational and interpersonal skills.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex III);
  2. Filled in and signed a Personal History Form (P11 form);
  3. Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (max 1 page).

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at http://www.uz.undp.org/. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Only Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide financial offer.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Fixed price contracts

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and international travel costs (in-country air ticket costs will be covered by the project).

Payment will be released in 4 (four) installments below upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Supervisor and UNDP CO.

1st (40% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

2nd (20% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 5 and 6

3rd (15% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 5 and 7

4th (25% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverable 8 and 9

Travel:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

 

EVALUATION

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

 Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the applicant 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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; [70%]

* Financial Criteria weight; [30%]

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation