Purpose

To conduct analysis of private forest management and management of forests that are part of National Parks in the Republic of Serbia, and of relevant international forest management practices, and provide recommendations for future directions of work on improving private forest management system and management of forests that are part of National Parks in Serbia, with special focus on sustainability and the potential for establishing a system for forest certification of these forests in Serbia.

Objective

To support relevant Government institutions in improving the regulatory framework in the field of sustainable forestry management and nature/biodiversity protection.

Background Information

UNDP Serbia supports the Government of Serbia to comply with international conventions and European Union regulations on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, emission-reduction, and promotion of the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development.

The European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans offer a blueprint for joint action to tackle the challenges of the green transition. The Green Agenda was shaped into regional action through the Sofia Declaration and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021 – 2030.

The green transition requires a cross-sectoral approach and broad societal participation to trigger transformative change. In line with this ambition, the “Green Agenda for Serbia” project funded by the EU, was designed to build broader engagement and participation. The project objective is to contribute to the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda by improving the strategic and legislative framework, co-financing the implementation of innovative pilot projects, and mobilizing additional financing for scale-up investments. In this way, the project will contribute to the green transformation of the economy and society in Serbia. The project will also contribute to the decarbonization of the economy and achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, reducing environmental pollution (air, soil, and water) and support the alignment of Serbia’s regulatory framework with the EU acquis in following five pillars of the Green Agenda:

1. Climate action, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green industries;
2. Circular economy for resource efficiency and industrial symbiosis;
3. Depollution of the environment with a strong focus on air quality;
4. Protecting and investing in biodiversity and ecosystems;
5. Sustainable food systems for sustainable rural livelihood.

Under Pillar 4, the project will assist the Government in restoring forest ecosystems, afforestation and establishing the green infrastructure, thus contributing to achieving the afforestation targets and targets with respect to the Land Degradation Neutrality. There is a space for improvement of forest management and forest certification system in Serbia, in particular when it comes to private forests and forests on the territory of national parks.

UNDP is seeking a short-term consultancy to assist UNDP Environment and Climate Portfolio in assessing the potential for improving the management of private forests and of forests on the territory of national parks (including forest certification), under the Pillar 4: Protecting and investing in biodiversity and ecosystems.

Scope of work:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Portfolio Manager, and in close cooperation with Directorate of Forests, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) and Ministry of Environmental protection (MEP) and other relevant institutions, the Consultant shall conduct analysis of private forest management and management of forests on the territory of national parks in the Republic of Serbia, and of related international practices, and provide recommendations for future directions of work on improving forest management system in Serbia. Special focus shall be devoted to the potential for establishing a system for certification for above mentioned forests. The Consultant shall perform the following tasks:

1. Assess the current state of the private forest management and management of forests that are part of National Parks in the Republic of Serbia, identify gaps and provide recommendations for its improvement.

a. Review and analyze the legal framework of Serbia related to the management of private forests and forests that are part of National Parks, from the perspective of sustainable forest management;

b. Review and analyze public policy framework of Serbia related to the private forest management and management of forests that are part of National Parks, and assess their alignment with relevant national regulatory/policy frameworks well as with good practices of sustainable management of forests;

c. Review and analyze existing reports, studies and papers on private forest management in Serbia, including the report prepared under this project (to be provided by UNDP), and on management of forests that are part of National Parks. Conduct consultations with relevant institutions, including but not limited to: Directorate of Forests (MAFWM), MEP and relevant institutions in the field of forest management and nature protection;

d. Analyze the practice of state bodies and organizations, associations of private forest owners, managers of National Parks and other relevant organizations in the field of forest management, through desk research, consultations and field visits of respective locations and consultations with representatives of the aforementioned entities, identify gaps and good practices;

e. Evaluate the current state of the private forest management system and forest management of forests that are part of National Parks in Serbia and indicate possible directions for its improvement.

2. Analyze international practices of private forest management and management of forests that are part of National Parks, and provide recommendations for incorporation of good practices into forest management in Serbia

a. Review and analyze international conventions that regulate private forest management system and management of forests that are part of National Parks;

b. Evaluate whether and to what extent Serbia, with its legal acts/policies and practice, adheres to the international conventions that relate to/regulate relevant forest management system, as well as to what extent practices in Serbia are in line with best international practices;

c. Research the legal and planning framework in the field of private forest management systems and management of forests that are part of National Parks of the countries in the region with main emphasis on the countries of the Western Balkans, and with special focus on forest certification;

d. Review laws and planning documents in the field of private forest management and management of forests that are part of National Parks, of the European Union and its member states, with special focus on forest certification (such as, but not limited to EU Forest Strategy 2030, The Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), member states’ forest programmes, etc.);

e. Analyze the practices of the EU member state countries and countries in the region, including the certification of private forests and forests that are part of National Parks, and identify examples of good practice that would be applicable in Serbia;

f. Compare the practices analyzed above with the practice in Serbia and give suggestions on how good practices in those countries can be incorporated into the forest management system in Serbia, including the certification of private forests and forests that are part of National Parks. Define the regulatory, policy, institutional and other changes needed in order to introduce the improved management of forests in Serbia.

3. Provide summary of recommendations for future directions of work on improving private forest management system and management of forests that are part of National Parks in Serbia, and their certification

a. Elaborate recommendations for:

i. improving the management system of private forests and forests that are part of National Parks in Serbia, based on previously conducted analysis, under tasks 1 and 2, and

ii. introducing certification of above-mentioned forests.

Provide recommendations regarding (but not limited to): policy and regulatory framework, institutional setup, financing models.

b. Prepare Action plan for certification process of private forests and forests that are part of National Parks in Serbia.

c. Present the results of the analysis and Action plan to the UNDP team, Directorate of Forests (MAFWM), MEP, and other relevant national institutions dealing with forest management.

The Consultant shall work closely with UNDP team, Directorate of Forests (MAFWM), MEP and relevant institutions in the field of forest management and nature protection throughout the entire engagement.

Deliverables and timelines

The Contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables:

All deliverables shall be submitted in English.

Important notice: All deliverables have to be quality reviewed and accepted by the UNDP Portfolio Manager. None of the materials, reports, designs, brochures and articles produced under this Contract will be used, released, and/or disseminated without prior approval by UNDP.

The specialist mobilized under this contract must demonstrate:

• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and present findings clearly;
• Ability to develop business documents;
• Ability to produce technical reports;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work;
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
• Computer literacy;
• Strong training/facilitation skills;
• Ability to effectively work in a team under very tight deadlines.         

Education:

• BA University degree in Forestry or other related fields;
• Master’s degree shall be considered as an asset.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience in the area of forestry, nature protection, environmental protection, landscape planning, and/or soil protection;
• At least 3 years of experience in policy/regulatory framework analysis and/or drafting;
• At least 2 years of experience in the area of private forest management.

Skills:

• Familiarity with forestry policies, practices, and administration in Serbia;
• Familiarity with UN and EU strategies and policies in the field of environment and forestry;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Possesses knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;

Language:

• Fluency in English language
• Fluency in Serbian language shall be considered an asset.

Intellectual Property:

All information and production of materials pertaining to the assignments as well as outputs produced under this contract shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

Application procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 11th June 2023

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties).
• Offeror’s Letter confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs (Offeror’s Letter, including Annex 2, Table A: Breakdown of costs & Table B) Breakdown of costs by deliverables and brief description of approach to work).
• Cover letter explaining applicant’s motivation for applying for the subject position.
• Brief description of approach to work (methodology). Methodology shall contain timeline of proposed activities and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail: vacancy.rs@undp.org .

The UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send a response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Shortlisted applicants will be requested to submit copies of Diploma(s) and relevant certificates as proof of the consultant’s qualification and experience. 

Financial Proposal

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount in USD currency, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon approval of each deliverable. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs (including Annex 2, Table A: Breakdown of costs & Table B: Breakdown of costs by deliverables).

Travel

This is home-based engagement therefore no travel envisaged under this Terms of Reference.

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.  If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/General_Conditions_for_Individual_Contracts.pdf 
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/PSU_Individual%20Contract_Model%20Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement.docx

In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

          (i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

          (ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.   
• UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.