UNDP Jobs - 106293- International Expert on the development of a carbo

International Expert on the development of a carbon project for unaccounted for forests in Pavlodar region and Semey region of the East Kazakhstan region and planting forests around the city of Pavlodar

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-May-2022

Application Deadline :

11-May-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

7 months

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

7 months

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 project is aimed at the implementation of complex measures in Kazakhstan to absorb CO2 emissions by forest ecosystems. The main objectives of the project will be achieved through activities to (1) reduce the carbon footprint produced by Bitfury's electricity suppliers in the Republic of Kazakhstan by 110% with a total consumption of 82 MW (2) support Kazakhstan's national initiative to create offset mechanisms to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions of gases as part of the commitments under the Paris Agreement (3) contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal of restoring 350 million hectares of forests worldwide by 2030 as part of the fight against climate change
In 2021-2022, an inventory of unrecorded forests of the Pavlodar region and Semey region of the East Kazakhstan region (EKR) was carried out.
During the inventory of unrecorded forests, specialists carried out fieldwork on the territory of nine administrative districts of two regions, during which the boundaries of unrecorded forests were clarified, cartographic materials were compared with satellite images, and natural forest inventory was carried out.
The composition of tree and shrub species growing on it was determined, and the taxation characteristics of forests were determined (completeness, age, bonitet, timber stock per 1 hectare, as well as the average timber stock in each plot). Primary cartographic materials have been developed, and the coordinates of the corner points for each site have been determined. In general, in the course of work on the inventory of unaccounted for forests, their area was established (47.0 thousand hectares). These materials will be used in the calculation of the amount of CO2 deposition by these forests and the development of the draft Carbon Project Concept and the corresponding carbon project. This event is provided for by the Project Work Plan for 2022.
The project also provides for the creation of green spaces on 20 hectares in the green zone of Pavlodar. The population of the cities of the Pavlodar region is exposed to greenhouse gas emissions from the main energy supplying enterprises operating on the basis of coal generation. Bitfury's data centers will also use electricity produced in the Pavlodar region.
The value of green spaces lies not only in the absorption of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen during photosynthesis, they also reduce the level of air pollution with dust and gases, lower the air temperature due to evaporation of moisture, protect from winds, release phytoncides - volatile substances that kill pathogenic microbes and positively affect human health.
The working project on the creation of green spaces on 20 hectares of the green zone in Pavlodar will be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2022 and in the fall of this year, work will already be carried out to create a green zone.

Duties and Responsibilities

International expert provides expertise and consulting support as part of the work on calculating the volume of CO2 deposition by identified forests and developing the Concept of the carbon project and the carbon project itself (online). The international expert works in close cooperation with the Project experts. Work composition:
1. Based on the materials on the inventory of unrecorded forests of Pavlodar region and Semey region of the East Kazakhstan region, it calculates the deposition of CO2 by identified forests until 2070 inclusive, according to the Methodology for preparing projects to increase absorption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in forestry (Appendix 7 to the Methodology for calculating emissions and removal of greenhouse gases, approved by the order of the Minister of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 13, 2021 No. 371) and based on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
2. According to Appendix 1 to the Rules for the Approval of Carbon Offset and the Provision of Offset Units, approved by the Acting Order. Minister of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 5, 2021 No. 455 is developing:
1) The concept of a forest carbon offset project on the management of unaccounted for forests in Pavlodar region and Semey region of East Kazakhstan region;
2) The concept of a forest carbon offset project for the creation of forest plantations on 20 hectares in the green zone of Pavlodar.
3. Participates in online meetings to review and discuss the draft Concept of two forest carbon offset projects with interested bodies in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
4. If necessary (based on the results of discussions), makes adjustments to the draft Concepts for two forest carbon offset projects;
5. Based on the approved drafts of the Concept two forest carbon offset projects develops Project Documents and Monitoring Plan in accordance with appendices 2, 3, and 4 to the Rules for the approval of carbon offset and the provision of offset units, approved by the Order acting. Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 5, 2021 No. 455.
6. Makes appropriate changes and additions (if necessary) to the Project documentation and the Monitoring Plan;
7. Prepares recommendations for the preparation of a report on the implementation of two forest carbon offset projects.
8. Takes part in the round table on the presentation of the developed documents for implementation at the national level;
9. Participates in the Scientific and Technical Council (STC) of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife when considering and approving the developed documents (Concepts, Project Documents, and Monitoring Plans);
10. Provides expert support to the project team in preparing proposals to the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MEGNR RK) on the further implementation of two forest carbon offset projects.

Competencies

All documents in *.pdf format should be sent to the email address procurement.kz@undp.org with reference to IC-2022-042 and the name of the position in the subject line no later than 17:00 (Nur-Sultan time) on May 11, 2022.
All additional information with forms to be completed is available via the link: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=90558

Required Skills and Experience

A. Education
• Higher professional education (Master's or higher) in the field, of economics, forestry, or related fields;
B. Experience
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the preparation and implementation of forest carbon projects;
• International experience in providing consulting / expert services on carbon sequestration by forests, forest management systems, forest inventory, and monitoring (at least 1 project in the CIS countries);
• Proven experience in developing the Concepts of carbon projects, carbon projects, medium- and long-term policy documents, methodological documents, regulatory legal acts in the field of forestry and ecology (at least 1 project);
C. Competencies / Languages:
• Knowledge of writing, editing, and oral communication in Russian is required; knowledge of English will be an asset.
Technical skills:
• Good analytical skills, ability to transfer/adapt international expertise to local conditions;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Ability to work independently and effectively participate in the collective exchange of information;
• The manifestation of cultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age sensitivity, and adaptability.