Background

UNDP Bratislava Regional Center are inviting applications from qualified experts to establish a roster of consultants to work on various consultancy assignments in the region related to the development of Biodiversity and Land Degradation Projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultants selected for the roster will be working with the Country Offices and with the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center and reporting technically to the relevant Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) of UNDP/GEF in UNDP Bratislava Regional Center. Final agreement on operational reporting lines will be made during the contract negotiations. The consultants will be expected to undertake specific tasks in order to fully develop the Biodiversity and Land Degradation projects at the country level (most of the projects will be multiple focal area projects), these tasks may include but not limited to, the following, and will be finally agreed upon, in the contract negotiations.
  • Assist the Regional Coordination Unit and the UNDP Country Offices in responding to the government requests for developing Project Identification Forms (PIF) for the nationally identified priorities in biodiversity and land degradation;
  • Familiarize with the existing land degradation and biodiversity portfolio under implementation in the respective country and propose ideas for combined biodiversity and land-degradation projects. This can be sector specific (e.g. agriculture, forestry, water management), but can also touch upon protected areas and carbon sink issues where feasible;
  • Based on desk review and mission travel to the country, develop a PIF in collaboration with the government, the UNDP CO and the relevant Regional Technical Adviser;
  • Based on the identified long-term solution to be sought by the project, identified the barriers hampering the achievement of this solution, the proposed outcomes and outputs, as well as accompanying impact indicators;
  • Identify potential co-financing contributions from potential partners of the project and in particular, advise on steps required for securing such co-financing contributions during the project preparation period;
  • Draft a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) request;
  • Assist the relevant RTA in providing responses to the comments on the PIFs and PPGs received from the GEF secretariat, GEF agencies and STAP and incorporate issues raised in to the revised documents;
  • Contribute to the project preparatory phase and work with the relevant governmental and non-governmental partners and UNDP  in the development of the UNDP Project Document and other GEF required documentation, including letters of co-financing, project results framework, and others, based on the latest GEF requirements;
  • Review all comments received on the draft Project Document from countries, GEF Sec and other agencies and finalize the Prodoc for final approval; and
  • Undertake any other duties that will ensure successful execution of this consultancy.
Time-schedule

The selected consultant(s) will be expected to work starting 1 May 2010

Competencies

  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Proven communication and leadership skills;

Required Skills and Experience

  • University degree in environmental, natural or social sciences from a recognized university;
  • At least 4 years proven and recent international experience with GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation project development;
  • Knowledge and experience with the GEF project development cycle, including the formulation of GEF Project Documents;
  • Knowledge of the latest GEF Focal Area Strategies in general and Biodiversity and Land Degradation focus areas in particular;
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken);
  • Experience in Europe and CIS and Arab States countries is an asset; and
  • Knowledge of Russian (for ECIS region) and French (for Arab States region) is an asset.
Application Procedure

Applicants will be screened against minimum qualifications and specific technical experience set above. The candidates shortlisted will be further contacted and interviewed. Those meeting the criteria and successfully passed interviews will be recommended for the Roster for the next 3 years.

The deadline for applications is on 22 April 2010.

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including:
Additional Considerations
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide price offers