Background

A project proposal concept has recently been prepared for GEF for an allocation of USD $4.081 million for the implementation of a project to support the Government of Seychelles in a ridge-to-reef style project focusing on managing land-based threats to coastal and marine ecosystems.  Final clearance of the proposal concept is expected in August 2016.

The project will undertake a comprehensive Ridge to Reef[1] (R2R) approach that addresses the ‘whole island’ priorities of improved management and conservation of upland forest and agricultural ecosystems as well as coastal and marine ecosystems in the Seychelles to produce global benefits in terms of conservation of globally significant biodiversity and the effective management of the large marine ecosystems (including coastal and near-shore marine ecosystems), and to arrest and reverse ecosystem degradation. This approach acknowledges and actively incorporates the issues of scale, proximity and interconnectedness of environmental systems on SIDS, and utilises the multi-focal area approach to provide ‘joined up’ solutions for sustainable development. By addressing a range of terrestrial threats to the marine environment, including flows of pollutants, nutrients and sediment, disrupted hydrological services, degradation of critical habitat, etc. that have significant negative impacts on important coastal/marine ecosystems including wetlands, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs, the project will simultaneously improve the management of the terrestrial landscape, improve the effectiveness of integrated coastal management practices and secure the integrity of existing and new marine protected areas in the Seychelles, which are vital components of, and effective management tools to conserve, the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems. At the policy and strategic level, the project will unite the three most important spatial and resource planning processes in the country (which provide the baseline to this project), namely the Marine Spatial Plan (for the seascape), the Seychelles Strategic Plan (for the landscape, most notably the ‘Green Spine’ on Mahé and other upland forest areas in the Inner Islands), and the Land Use Plans (which embrace integrated coastal management principles and act as the most suitable vehicle to engage District Authorities and local communities in the implementation of these strategic plans). The project will build on these baseline activities by providing strategic incremental funding to implement priority actions in each of the plans.

The main stakeholders for the project are the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC), Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA), Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA), Public Utilities Corporation (PUC), University of Seychelles (UNISEY), environmental NGOs and community groups, such as farmers’ groups and watershed management committees.

An international lead expert is required to assist in the preparation of the full project document, focusing on all components and expected outcomes to be achieved, as outlined in the approved Project Identification Form (PIF).

[1] The ‘ridge-to-reef’ approach is promoted by the GEF globally, most notably in the Pacific SIDS through the GEF-5 multi-agency, multi-focal area Program titled ‘Ridge-to-Reef’ (UNDP as the lead IA with FAO and UNEP participating as co-IAs). The GEF continues to promote the same approach in GEF-6, as outlined in GEF-6 IW Program 4 (paragraph 53 of the GEF-6 Strategy)..

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Lead Expert for the Preparation of the Project Document is allocated 65 working days through the duration of the PPG process.  The overall purpose of the consultancy is to prepare a UNDP-GEF compliant full-sized project document. The International Expert is expected to:

Work alongside other PPG consultants to ensure the timely drafting of the required documents for submission to the GEF, strictly adhering to the agreed deadlines and ensuring quality control;

• More specifically, the consultant will produce, with support from the other consultant(s), a UNDP-GEF Project Document with minimum requirements and an accompanying GEF CEO Endorsement Request (both using the appropriate templates and with all supporting annexes) by 30th April 2017. The consultant should be available to make further revisions to the project documents after submission to the GEF Secretariat;
• Key project drafting tasks will be accomplished under the guidance of the UNDP-GEF regional service center and the UNDP Country Office in Seychelles, and working in close collaboration with key government officials, donors, NGOs and the private sector;
• An early draft of the required submission documents will be submitted to the UNDP Country Office and UNDP-GEF technical staff at a date agreed at the inception workshop;

Compile and summarise the analysis that puts into perspective the following aspects of terrestrial and marine ecosystem management in Seychelles and underpins the project strategy;

• Overview and status of development of the Seychelles Strategic Plan and its relationship with national land use plans and planning processes, with particular reference to management of Key Biodiversity Areas outside of the current PA system;
• Overview and status of development of a strategic vision for the inner island MPA system, potential for extension through new permanently protected or temporal protected areas, and relationships with the evolving sustainable-use zones surrounding the MPAs (the development of which is a key element of the SWIOFish3) project);
• Draw informed conclusions about the potential for expansion and effective management of the expanded PA system, and of the land and marine areas that link the PAs, and propose a strategy for the PA system in the inner on this basis;
• Play a pivotal role in developing a work plan and coordinating the input and outputs of all consultants and sub-contractors (where applicable), and in overseeing quality;
• Finalize the project results framework: Further define the results framework with appropriate objective-level and outcome-level quantitative and qualitative SMART indicators, and end-of-project targets. Special attention will be made to include socio-economic and gender disaggregated indicators;
• Develop a detailed M&E work plan, including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNDP-GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy;
• Define a sustainability plan which will outline the principles and guidelines for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project achievements. It will also outline an exit strategy, seeking the continuation of key activities/achievements without the need of long-term international financing;
• Lead the identification of environmental, social and economic risks associated with the project implementation; address any opportunities/risks identified during the initial environmental and social screening of the project proposal at PIF stage;
• Plan all activities of the project;
• Define the logical framework (including all outcomes and outputs) and work plan for the project;
• Clarify the additionality of the proposed outcomes and activities, and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines;
• Oversee and provide any required inputs into the completion or updating of the required GEF tracking tools;
• Propose institutional and implementation arrangements consistent with a GEF FSP and in synergy with already existing arrangements for other GOS-UNDP-GEF projects in the country;
• Address all comments on the project design by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel and in the GEF review sheet;
• Facilitate the process of confirming the co-funding and co-financing plan;
• Facilitate consultations with all relevant stakeholders with regard to the proposal, including detailed budget, detailed TORs for key project staff, and a detailed activity and work plan, in line with GEF eligibility principles.

Competencies

• Ability to build strong relationships with national consultants, to focus on impact and results for the client, to respond positively to critical feedback, and a consensus-oriented approach to work;
• Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, and a networking aptitude;
• Fully computer literate;
• Excellent English drafting and communication skills;
• Ability to work in complex, multi-stake-holder project environments;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum postgraduate degree in Environmental or Biological Sciences, International Development, or a related subject.

Experience:

• At least 10 years’ experience designing and/or implementing environment and natural resources management activities in developing countries; direct experience in ridge-to-reef projects or similar projects is desirable;
• Proven and extensive international experience in environment and natural resources management projects;
• Proven past experience in UNDP-GEF project formulation/design, including the drafting of GEF-compliant project documents and endorsement requests;
• Ability to conduct research and analysis, with strong synthesis skills;
• Experience working with international organizations, including UNDP, is preferred but not required;
• Previous experience working in Small Island Development States (SIDS) is an advantage;
• Regional (Western Indian Ocean) and national (Seychelles) experience is highly desirable.

Languages:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Important Note:

• Interested offeror is strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at http://www.mu.undp.org/content/mauritius_and_seychelles/en/home/operations/procurement/
• For more detail about term of references,general terms and conditions of IC and templates to be included when submitting offer;
• Interested offerors above the age of 62: UNDP regulations require, at their own cost, to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays. Medical evaluation documentation does not need to be submitted with the other requested documents listed above, but will be requested should the candidate be chosen;
• Interested offeror is required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system;

Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows Only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.