UNDP Jobs - 77598- International expert on preparing the ecosystem mo

International expert on preparing the ecosystem monitoring plan for the coastal and marine protected areas in Azerbaijan

Location :

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

29-Mar-2018

Application Deadline :

15-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 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

This project is part of the second generation of Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) under the GEF. Azerbaijan has been Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 08/03/2000. The project addresses the country's need to continue to fulfill its obligations under the CBD, with particular focus on the Convention's Article 6 and the CBD COP Decision X/2. It should be mentioned, that on the 10th meeting of Member States conducted on October 18-29 2010 in Aichi. District of Nagoya city of Japan the updated Strategic Plan, including Aichi Targets on Biodiversity for the years 2011-2020 have been adopted. Above all, the project is a significant contribution to Azerbaijan's efforts towards implementing the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 at the national level. The project builds on the current status and achievements of Azerbaijan with respect to biodiversity planning and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

The detailed scope of work for the international expert will be as follows:

- Develop a simple ecosystem monitoring programme that provides a strategic framework for monitoring threats to and condition of ecosystems in, the coastal and marine protected areas in Azerbaijan. This ecosystem monitoring programme may include the following elements:

- The objectives of the monitoring programme;

- The suite of ‘ecosystem stressor’ and ‘ecosystem condition’ indicators that should be monitored under the overarching monitoring programme;

- The proposed threshold (upper and/or lower limit) for each indicator;

- The monitoring protocols for each indicator, including: methodological approach, data collection procedure, frequency of data collection, format of data, presentation of data; and maintenance of data;

- The different management responses to situations where the thresholds are exceeded for each indicator; and

- The roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the monitoring programme.

The international consultants shall also be responsible for the following enabling activities:

- Provide technical and professional backstopping support to the national counterpart consultant in the hosting of technical training sessions/workshops for protected area staff on the implementation of the ecosystem monitoring programme.

- Provide technical and professional backstopping support to the protected area staff, MENR staff, scientists and national consultants in the collection of the baseline monitoring data for the CMPAs.

- Provide technical and professional backstopping support to the national counterpart consultant in the hosting of a training workshop on the application of the METT tool in marine and coastal protected areas. During this workshop, the national consultant will support the protected area managers in completing the baseline METT scores for the individual CMPAs.

- In consultation with the national counterpart consultant, collate the baseline METT information and draft a 2018 ‘state of management effectiveness’ report for the CMPAs.

Competencies

• Ability to work together with UNDP;

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills;

• Respond positively to feedback and differing points of view;

• Planning and organizational skills;

Analytical thinking and team working;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in environmental or natural sciences, preferably with exposure to biodiversity, nature conservation or other relevant fields;

Experinece:

· At least 10 years of experience in the field of environmental protection, biodiversity, and nature conservation

· Experience with preparing ecosystem monitoring plan for the national park and its implementation;

· Proven track record of UNDP/GEF funded projects;

· Proven ability to collect, verify and analyze information, and to finish and present work with a high degree of accuracy and technical quality;

· Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in order to communicate complex, technical information to both technical and general audiences;

· Experience in countries in transition, developing countries and/or Eastern Europe/CIS countries and especially Azerbaijan is an asset

Language:

· Fluent in written and oral communication in English;

Travels: No country visits are envisaged under this assignment.

The system accepts only one attachment, so please send both technical and financial proposals as one attachment.