Background
Project: UNDP/GEF Project: Reducing Pressures on Natural Resources from Competing Land Use in Non-Irrigated Arid Mountain, Semi-Desert and Desert Landscapes of Uzbekistan (LAND)
Duration:
Part-time Assignment, June 15 – September 15, 2015 (25 working days including 7-day mission to Tashkent and 2 project pilot sites)
18 w.d. desk work in a country of residence
7 w.d. mission to Uzbekistan on June-July, 2015 (3 days in Tashkent, 2 days in Zamin district, Djizzak region and 2 days in Karakul district, Bukhara region)
The project is designed to support the improved, more sustainable and more resilient land use management of non-irrigated arid desert, steppe and mountain landscapes of Uzbekistan, which constitute the vast majority of its territory, and reduce competitive pressures between different land uses, particularly forestry and pasture use. It will facilitate the up scaling of existing best practices for land management within two ecologically and socio-economically representative districts (Zamin and Karakul) and provide a model for undertaking district level integrated land use planning. Based on experiences on the ground it will support the updating and refinement of relevant national policy, legislation and institutions and mechanisms for improved national coordination and planning for integrated land use management.
Detailed information about the project can be found on our web-site:
Currently, several activities designed to demonstrate the principles of sustainable forest management in drylands of Uzbekistan. However, a wide extension of similar experience does not occur mainly because the scale of these efforts is too limited, and the strategic, legislative and institutional frameworks do not provide support in an appropriate manner.
There is no long-term strategy of forestry development in the framework of overall development strategy of Uzbekistan. Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources approves five-year "Forestry Development Programs" for each of separate regions Uzbekistan. They are no strategic from the point of view of their structure or scale, focusing only on the environmental safety of the forests and their management only within a region, in addition not recognizing socio-economic values significant for forestry enterprises and rural population. These limitations are the key drivers of land degradation and deforestation.
The project together with the Department of Forestry is going to revise the existing programs of forestry development and to conduct further consultation and analysis for future strategic development options. On this basis, the project will reach a consensus among key national agencies involved in forestry management for formulating a long-term strategy for forestry development in Uzbekistan. In the future, the project will support the finalization of the revised strategy, assisting in its approval by the government and carried out work to raise awareness about its contents.
In rangelands of forestry entities, there is not a pasture rotation, what leads to further degradation of these lands. An unauthorized felling tree plantation by the local population for domestic use leads to wind erosion of soils and intensification of sands movement. Non forested areas have lack of protective forest belts. Restoration of defective wells is not engaged. The project will assist population in the production of timber, fuel, fruit, non-timber products, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, etc. The project guides the actions and socio-economic aspects of forestry. In addition, there is attempt to address gender issues. The role of women in forestry sector is great. They are employed in agroforestry, water management activities in forest reclamation and conservation. Therefore, for the forest areas, forests serve as a main or additional source of employment.
To provide international experience and technical advice on forestry related policy/strategic planning, legislation and institutional reform as well as specific practical field guidance on implementation of forestry management best practices, the project hires an International Consultant for Forestry. He/she will work as part of a team of consultants covering related land use information, and will liaise as necessary with other consultants to share information and clarify conflicting data. He / she will be paid based on the outputs expected and not for additional information not covered by the TOR or requested by the Project Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
This work is carried out according to the project annual plan of action for the establishment of the international recommendations for ongoing activities in the field of forestry land management, as well as for the preparation of the strategic plan for the development of forestry land management, which is one of the ultimate results of the project.
More specifically, under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in cooperation with the CTA and NTC, the International Consultant for Forestry will take responsibility to fulfill in a timely and efficient manner the following tasks and responsibilities.
Thematic functions
Recommendations for the improvement of forestry economy in the project areas:
- Analysis and review of project materials on the current state and improvement directions of forestry economy on the ground;
- Visits to the project area to finalize the formulation of the project related issues of forestry management issues in arid regions;
- Discussion and approval of the continuation of the project activities related to the implementation of best practices in forestry planning and management in the project pilot areas;
- Assist the project in ensuring that meaningful monitoring of the impacts of forestry management activities is undertaken in accordance with the monitoring mechanism included in the plan.
Assisting the project team in the preparation of the concept for a national strategy for forestry management in arid regions of Uzbekistan:
- Review and study existing national materials and plans / reports related to development of a national strategy for forestry and pastures development in desert conditions;
- Familiarization with ready-made materials of the project national consultants for the preparation of a concept for the national strategy for forestry use management in arid regions of Uzbekistan;
- Visit to Tashkent for detail and matching modern policy in the field of forestry management in Uzbekistan;
- Organization of meetings with representatives of the technical working group of the project and, if necessary, with other specialists of ministries and departments of Uzbekistan, involved in forestry and pasture management issues;
- Revision of the draft concept for the national strategy for forestry economy in arid regions of Uzbekistan, preparation of a set of recommendations and plan for its implementation.
Preparation of the final report on the results of services rendered:
- The final review of the work with a brief interpretation of the identified gaps and unlit questions on forestry economy improvement within the project implementation;
- The final review with recommendations for further improvement of the forestry sector in Uzbekistan, as well as direct additions or adjustments to the further action of the project in the direction of forestry management.
Operational functions
Capture and Dissemination of Project Experience and Lessons Learned:
Provide recommendations to the PM, ITA and NTC in defining a clear strategy for maximizing the impact of the useful experiences and lessons learned by the project on dissemination of the results – i.e. help to define the most effective dissemination mechanisms for the various levels of stakeholders including local, district, oblast, national and regional/international stakeholders.
Outputs
Review and assessment of general situation and development needs (home based):
- Review of project documents, strategies, concepts, progress reports, AWPs;
- Review national documents;
- Brainstorm with project team;
- Review/Plan overall support to be provided by the International Consultant.
Mission to Uzbekistan (tentative mission date within June-July 2015):
- Review needs and plan for forestry management improvement;
- Review project progress;
- Provide Support and Advisory Services in accordance to Scope of Work;
- Guidance on how to improve the data base on forestry development;
- Strategize an effective dissemination of project experiences and lessons learned.
Final review and recommendations on further steps for forestry development needs by the project (home based):
- Review project progress in accordance to Scope of Work;
- Finalized plan for dissemination of best practices and lessons learned;
- Assess impact of forestry economy improvement activities.
Written work will be supplemented by other requested consultation by phone, Skype, and in person. Work conducted for this output will be summarized in a biannual written report, prepared in conjunction with Output 1 above.
Reports on missions and/or participation in Technical Working Group or other meetings. The International Consultant shall compose written reports summarizing his or her participation in any missions or meetings undertaken during this assignment. One mission to Tashkent and the project sites for a total of 7 working days is envisaged.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;
- Initiative, good analytical skills, ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
- Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Postgraduate or other advanced university degree in forestry management (with major of desert regions), natural resource management, agriculture, environmental management, or related fields.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of demonstrated working experience in areas relevant to Forestry Management within arid environments with broad practical field experience in similar professional role;
- Extensive record of accomplishment and experience in the assessment of desert or foothill forestry management and preparation of relevant initiatives;
- Practical experience and record of accomplishment of successfully implementing assessment of desert forestry initiatives and achieving meaningful impacts;
- Prior knowledge and experience of the political, social and environmental factors and issues related to arid natural resource use and agricultural systems in Central Asia, preferably in Uzbekistan;
- Prior experience in the use of local level participatory approaches to natural resource management.
Language:
- Proficiency in English, knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek is an advantage.
Others:
- Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations, in particular those of the GEF and UNDP;
- Good interpersonal, facilitation and training skills.
Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:
- Proposal- provide brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (2 pages or less);
- P-11 form and Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability;
- Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and submit it to the online application;
- Above mentioned documents can be obtained at http://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/operations/jobs/
Application process:
To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:
- Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) and Offeror’s Letter;
- Merge your P11, Offeror’s Letter and Proposal into a single file;
- Click on the Job Title;
- Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”;
- Upload your forms.
You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.
Note:
- Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a financial proposal.
Financial Proposal
Lump sum contracts:
- This is a lump sum contract. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days);
- The payment will be made in two installments to be issued upon completion and submission of Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed as indicated in the terms of reference.
Travel
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Evaluation
The individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis methodology.
The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
- Having received the highest score out of the set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
- Technical Criteria weight – 70%;
- Financial Criteria weight – 30%.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for the Technical Criteria will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.