Background

The United Nations Development Programme’s Project #00062796 “Building capacity for Strategic Environmental Assessment and environmental conventions implementation in Belarus”, implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Programme in Belarus (UNDP Belarus) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus (Ministry of Environment) within the European Commission Programme “Support to Environment and Sustainable Development in Belarus”, aims to assist Belarus in developing domestic capacity for an effective integration of environmental concerns into the national decision-making through introduction of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and enhancing environmental conventions implementation in the country.
 
Within the current planning system and practice of formulating strategic initiatives applied in Belarus, a majority of developments at the national and/or local levels result from the implementation of a national, sub-national or local policy, programme or plan for socio-economic, sectoral or spatial development. The elaboration of national or sectoral strategic initiatives in Belarus is the responsibility of respective ministries, research institutes, which belong to these ministries, and of the local authorities. The governmental institutions formulate a significant number of policies, strategies, plans and programmes that would provide a basis for SEA application in the country.
 
The current project will assist the Ministry of Environment through carrying out five training workshops in Minsk to develop expert capacity of Belarusian specialists in SEA methodology, approaches and techniques (including application of environmental objectives in SEA; identification of the SEA scope and baseline scenarios; analysis of possible substantial environmental impact, including cumulative impact; comparison of alternatives; consultations with environmental and health authorities and with the general public; analysis of trans-boundary effects and arranging trans-boundary consultations; and managing a SEA process).
 
More information about the project can be found at www.un.by .

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks and responsibilities:
 
The Consultant will be required to prepare two presentations (for about 45 minutes of duration per each one) on SEA and its implementation and deliver them during two one-day workshops within the training course “Strategic Environmental Assessment in Belarus: training of practitioners” (preliminary scheduled for 15-16 October 2009) in Minsk/Minsk region (Belarus). The Consultant will also assist with the coordination of the discussions within the workshops and will provide inputs to preparation of the conclusions. The Consultant will work in close cooperation with the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) of the project.
 
Deliverables:
 
  • The following defines the main milestones where formal reports for which submission for the review by the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) and approval by the UNDP Belarus and Ministry of Environment are required, and which will govern payment under the contract for this assignment.
  • Milestone 1: Two presentations (for about 45 minutes of duration per each one) on SEA and its implementation prepared and submitted to the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions)
  • Milestone 2: Two presentations (for about 45 minutes of duration per each one) delivered during two one-day workshops (preliminary scheduled in the period 15-16 October, 2009) in Minsk/Minsk region (Belarus), active participation in the discussions within the workshops. Assistance in facilitation discussions within the workshops and inputs to preparation of the conclusions from the workshops provided.
  • Milestone 3: Providing inputs to preparation of the conclusions from the workshops.
  • All reports/deliverables within the assignment shall be in English (or Russian) and be provided in MS Office electronic format.
  • The following defines the main milestones where formal reports for which submission for the review by the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) and approval by the UNDP Belarus and Ministry of Environment are required, and which will govern payment under the contract for this assignment.

Competencies

  • Training experience in the field of SEA;
  • Outstanding presenting, lecturing and communication skills;
  • Previous experience and/or knowledge of the SEA systems in former-Soviet Union countries and/or in the Central and
  • Eastern Europe would be an asset;
  • Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and email communication software.
  • Language requirements:English, or Russian

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in natural resource management, environment, biology, geography science or equivalent.

Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of practical experience in SEA.

Applications procedures:

  • Applicants are requested to apply on-line. 

Applicants should:

  • complete the form stating their interest in and qualifications for the position (in English or Russian);
    present most recent CV;
  • give his/her price offer (in USD) indicating the daily remuneration rate.
  • Responsible applicants will be shortlisted, and at least three applicants will gain a personal, or telephone hearing.
  • Women are encouraged to apply. UNDP is non-smoking work environment.