UNDP Jobs - 15851- International Consultant on SEA Manual

International Consultant on SEA Manual

Location :

Home-based, one trip to Belarus, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Apr-2010

Application Deadline :

15-Apr-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 April 2010 – 31 May 2010 (expected days of work: 13)

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 joint United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and European Union (EU) Project “Building capacity for Strategic Environmental Assessment and environmental conventions implementation in Belarus”, implemented at the national level by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus (Ministry of Environment), 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).

One of the project activities is related to development of a SEA manual for governmental officials and decision-makers in order to raise their awareness about SEA process and benefits. It is expected, that the manual will perform system and user-friendly guide, containing (i) examples from international SEA experience, (ii) demonstration of SEA role in more environmental friendly outcomes and prevention of major environmental problems, (iii) description of effectiveness of SEA techniques and principles in environmental-related policy-making. The manual on SEA will be published and disseminated among Belarusian decision-makers and program developers.

The International Consultant on SEA Manual will provide distant expert input and advice to Belarusian experts and the project in preparation of the manual, based on foreign experience and good practices in the field. He/She will also take part in one-day workshop on preparation of the SEA manual in Minsk/Minsk Region (Belarus) and deliver a presentation on SEA practices in foreign countries and benefits as well as advantages of SEA manuals for decision-makers.

More information about the project can be found at www. ecorazvitie.by.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant on SEA Manual will work in close cooperation with the project team and Belarusian experts, providing distant expert assistance and advisory support to development of the SEA manual. He/she will also prepare a presentation on SEA practices in foreign countries and benefits as well as advantages of SEA manuals and deliver it within the visit to Belarus for participation in one-day workshop on the SEA manual in Minsk/Minsk Region (preliminary scheduled for 28 April 2010, final dates are to be negotiated). The International Consultant on SEA Manual will directly report to the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) of the project on the work done for further consideration and approval of the achieved results by UNDP and the Ministry of Environment.

The selected International Consultant on SEA Manual shall:

Advise Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) and Belarusian experts regarding the structure of the manual as well as brief description of the thematic parts (up to 5 pages, A4 format);
Compile some good examples of foreign manuals on SEA for decision-makers (up to 50 pages) and submit them to the Task Coordinator (SEA-Conventions) for translation into Russian and dissemination among the expert team;
Prepare a presentation (up to 15 slides) on SEA practices in foreign countries and benefits as well as advantages of SEA manuals and deliver it within participation in one-day workshop on the SEA manual in Minsk/Minsk Region (preliminary scheduled for 28 April 2010, the final dates are to be negotiated);
Guide the project experts in development of the manual;
Review draft Manual produced by the national team and provide written recommendations and comments on the draft manual ,
Take part (distantly) in group discussions/debates with Belarusian expert team.

Expected Results/Deliverables:

Written recommendations (up to 5 pages, A4 format) regarding the structure of the manual as well as brief description of the thematic parts (2 working days);
Good examples (up to 50 pages) of foreign manuals on SEA for decision-makers (3 working days);
The presentation (up to 15 slides) on SEA practices in foreign countries and benefits as well as advantages of SEA manuals prepared and delivered at the one-day workshop (preliminary scheduled for 28 April 2010, the final dates are to be negotiated) in Minsk/Minsk Region (4 working days, including travel to Belarus and participation in the workshop);
Written recommendations and comments on the developed draft manual on SEA (4 working days).

Competencies

Training experience in SEA methodology;
Experience of work with CIS-countries in SEA would be a strong asset;
Knowledge of SEA practices and approaches;
Outstanding analytical and organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

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

Experience:

At least, 5 years of work experience in SEA;
Good knowledge of written and spoken English;
Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet and e-mail).

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);
upload recent CV.

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.

Due to the large number of applicants for UNDP positions, UNDP regrets that it is unable to inform unsuccessful candidates about the outcome or status of the recruitment process.