UNDP Jobs - 13754- Consultant: International Biodiversity Expert:UNDP

Consultant: International Biodiversity Expert:UNDP/GEF Project of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin

Location :

Xinyang, Henan Province, CHINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Dec-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

36 weeks over period of 2010-2013

Languages Required :

English

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

The UNDP/GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin (GEF-HHRB)” forms a key element of the China Biodiversity Partnership Framework (CBPF) for Action. It aims to ensure that global biodiversity conservation values are integrated into the management of Important Ecological Function Areas (IEFAs). Baseline efforts to develop specialized management regimes for such areas provide an opportunity to mainstream biodiversity conservation into the management of significant numbers of important landscapes across China by building on the complementarities and synergies between ecosystem function conservation and biodiversity conservation. Such a solution would offer an essential complementary element to China’s protected area strategy. The project will work with relevant stakeholders at national, provincial and local levels to address barriers to launching this important management approach and to ensure biodiversity conservation is an integral component. The project will demonstrate mainstreaming in the national-level IEFA to be established in the Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin, a biodiversity rich area considered a high priority by the Ministry of Environment Protection. Based on the HHRB pilot experience, the project will seek encourage replication at IEFAs throughout China. Mainstreaming work here will include both at a landscape level and at selected sectoral levels such as in medicinal plants, mining and tourism. The project consists of four mutually supportive outcomes: 1) Biodiversity and ecological function conservation mainstreamed into HHRB planning and monitoring; 2) Biodiversity and ecological function conservation mainstreamed into key productive sectors; 3) Biodiversity and ecosystem function considerations are regularly mainstreamed into poverty alleviation strategies and programmes; 4) Lessons learned at HHRB inform and strengthen ongoing efforts to manage IEFAs throughout China.

Additional information can be found at the project website at http://www.hhrp.org.cn.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project will be implemented conforming to UNDP National Execution (NEX) procedures. The executing agency is Xinyang Municipal Government with cooperation partners of Foreign Economic Cooperation Office, Ministry of Environmental Protection of China and Henan Provincial Finance Bureau. According to the implementation arrangement of the project, 2 international consultants (Biodiversity, Ecological Economist) will be recruited by the Project Management Office of Xinyang Municipal Government.

The International Biodiversity Expert will provide technical support on incorporating international best practices in the field of biodiversity to the HHRB project and Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in the overall implementation of the project. Specifically:

Provide capacity building support for ecosystem function and biodiversity friendly production methods;
Provide technical support and recommendations for development of biodiversity overlays and for municipal and county-level land use plans.
Technical support for development of Conservation and Construction Plan of HHRB National IEFA.
Technical support for development and pilot implementation of revised IEFA-specific ecological and biodiversity monitoring standards.
Provide technical support and recommendations for development and pilot implementation of IEFA-specific policies, regulations, standards and enforcement strategies.

Competencies

Have current and international experiences and be recognized as experts in their respective areas
Cross-cultural sense and demonstrated ability to deal with a multi-cultural working environment with government counterparts and various international/ national organizations.
Experiences and knowledge on the natural and/or social situation in China and in Huaihe River Headwaters area will be preferable.
Familiarization with GEF policy and UNDP procedures highly desirable
Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing are essential. Fluency in English required.
Good team work spirit.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced degree in their respective areas or related disciplines
Have documented adequate technical/social expertise and skill to conduct the work in their respective areas
At least ten years of demonstrated experiences in their field of expertise related to sustainable development, ecosystem management, and biodiversity conservation