Uzbekistan is globally and regionally important in terms of its biodiversity due to its location between the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian biogeographical regions. Its varying landscapes of high mountain ranges, wide steppes, deserts, riparian wetlands, and the Aral Sea has results in a wide diversity of habitats. UNDP, for many years, have supported the Government of Uzbekistan in tackling environmental challenges, including in the area of biodiversity.

UNDP/GEF and Republic of Uzbekistan project on “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity” will further support the country in addressing biodiversity conservation challenges, specifically with focusing on mountain ecosystems such as the western-most outliers of the western Tian Shan (Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Kuramin ranges) and Pamir-Alai (Gissar, Turkestan and Zaravshan ranges), which are home to the endangered snow leopard, and provide important habitat for its key prey species.

UNDP/GEF and Republic of Uzbekistan project on “Sustainable natural resource use and forest management in key mountainous areas important for globally significant biodiversity” will further support the country in addressing biodiversity conservation challenges, specifically with focusing on mountain ecosystems such as the western-most outliers of the western Tian Shan (Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Kuramin ranges) and Pamir-Alai (Gissar, Turkestan and Zaravshan ranges), which are home to the endangered snow leopard, and provide important habitat for its key prey species.

The project objective is ‘To enhance the conservation, and sustainable use, of natural resources in the biodiverse high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Uzbekistan’, and the project is structured into four components, with each component comprising a complementary suite of two to three outputs:

1. Component 1: Landscape level planning and management decision-making;
2. Component 2: Strengthening key biodiversity areas;
3. Component 3: Sustainable economic development incentives for communities;
4. Component 4: Promoting cooperation and collaboration.

 SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The International Expert will bear responsibility for the following project outputs and will undertake the following functions:

1. On the preparation of the plan of zones and boundaries of PAs

1. Share current international good practice experience, and identify relevance for existing Uzbekistan national circumstances in the creation of functional zones of PAs and demarcation of their borders.
2. Support the national expert of the project on preparation of criteria for identification of functional zones of PAs.
3. Assist the national expert on zoning of the project:
   • In aggregation of relevant data to support the zoning process
   • In analysis of data for the identification of spatial plots for the designation of functional zones of four PAs;
   • In the preparation of a data-driven, concrete, clear justification for the creation of functional zones, including specification of measures necessary to ensure zones have appropriate legal status.
4. Prepare, based on existing national legislation, proposals for ensuring appropriate economic use for each of the identified functional zones of the four PAs.
5. Based on the analysis of international experience, prepare recommendations on the implementation of zoning plans, including demarcation of the boundaries of the identified zones of the PAs (placement of demarcation signs and marks, their design).
6. Prepare recommendations for the management of PAs to assess the effectiveness of implementation of the zoning plan components of the PA management plans, including the effectiveness of enforcement of designated zones.

1. On Management Planning of PAs

1. Conduct a review of equivalent global best practice, and of the national experience of preparation and implementation of PA management plans and their effectiveness in Uzbekistan.
2. Assess the existing practice of preparation and approval processes of management plans, including the description of the contents of PA management plans and main templates, and prepare reasonable proposals for their improvement in Uzbekistan, if necessary.
3. Support the national expert in the process of guiding the stakeholder-driven preparation of management plans for the four PAs, with a special focus on planning activities for scientific work, ranger patrolling, business planning (including potential tourism development, where appropriate), and stakeholder engagement including interaction with the local population and community.
4. Based on an analysis of international good practices and current national legislation, assist the PA administrations in preparing business plans for integration into the PA management plans.
5. Review drafts of management plans and prepare recommendations on their improvement.
6. Develop and specify an appropriate process, including stakeholder engagement, for regular revision and updating of PA management plans, based on regular monitoring and reporting of their accomplishments and the current and future situation (adaptive management).
7. Based on existing international experience and considering national capacities, prepare general technical recommendations on monitoring the implementation of management plans, including assessments of various aspects of the nature reserves (environmental, management and financial aspects), and including development and assessment of standards for PA staff competences (per IUCN register of competences).
8. Prepare the monitoring and reporting plan for implementation of PA management plans, and support in updating if necessary.
9. Provide inputs to and support for third-party assessment and certification of one PA for IUCN Green List, as necessary.

Outputs

1. A written report on the international experience in the establishment of functional zones of the PAs with relevance to Uzbekistan (state reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves) and the demarcation of their borders, including issues (aspects) of land use, management of these zones, the conservation regime, planning and participation of local people in management.
2. Final version of criteria for identification and designation of functional zones of PAs (including state reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves, zakazniks), and specific criteria for allocation of buffer zones of the Chatkal State biosphere reserve, the Gissar State reserve, zoning of the Ugam-Chatkal State national natural park and Ugam-Chatkal reserve (zakaznik).
3. Justification for creation of functional zones for four PAs, including the detailed description of their boundaries for giving them the legal status.
4. Report on the analysis of the international and national experience of preparation and implementation of PA management plans, with special focus on their effectiveness in Uzbekistan, including assessment of the existing PA management plans of West Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay snow leopard landscapes.
5. Drafts management plans for each of four PAs, in which actions (scientific research, survey and monitoring, inspection activity, including SMART-patrol, etc.) are coordinated, and mechanisms and methods of exchange of information are defined.
6. Recommendations for monitoring the implementation of management plans, including assessments of various aspects of PAs (environmental, management and financial aspects), and including development and assessment of standards for PA staff competences (per IUCN register of competences).
7. Monitoring and reporting plans for implementation and updating of PA management plans prepared.
8. Assessment of the implementation of the management plans for the four protected areas and recommendations for their updating:
   • at the end of the first year of implementation;
   • 18 months after the implementation of the management plan.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational);
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in and with teams;
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.

• Education: Advanced degree (master's level, equivalent or higher) in the field of environment, natural resources management, or biodiversity-related field.
• Experience: At least 10 years of on the ground experience in leading the management planning processes for protected areas and a minimum of 3 years work experience within the field of environmental management in the CIS, preferably in Central Asia
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English, excellent analytical and presentation skills; working knowledge of written and spoken Russian language will be an asset.

Others: Good understanding of local policies and practices in protected areas management.

Outstanding time-management, organizational and interpersonal skills.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex III);
2. Filled in and signed a Personal History Form (P11 form);
3. Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (max 1 page).

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at http://www.uz.undp.org/. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Application process: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11).
• Merge your P11, Proposals and other relevant documents 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 application.

You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Only Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide financial offer.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: shall indicate the all-inclusive fixed total contract price and all other travel related costs (such as flight ticket, per diem, etc.), supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template attached to the Letter of Confirmation of Interest template. If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Fixed price contracts

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and international travel costs (in-country air ticket costs will be covered by the project), accommodation and meal (DSA or per diems in Uzbekistan) and visa costs required to produce the above deliverables.

Payment will be released in 4 (four) installments below upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Supervisor and UNDP CO.

Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal: Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted at 70% and the price proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring. The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score that has also accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined 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 would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.